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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Manda on April 17, 2002, at 15:29:06
I'm SO tired of everything!! I can't think of a single thing I would like to do or a single person I would like to see. I feel as if I have "been there" and "done that" with everything. Nothing seems interesting, or even worth the effort of getting out of bed. I have SO much schoolwork to do, and I just can't make myself care. I have zero motivation. People keep telling me that I just need to make myself do it, whether or not I want to, but I can't. Am I just lazy for not forcing myself to do things? I honestly don't feel like I can. Of course, I can make myself sit down with the books in front of me, but I can't focus, so what's the point???
-Lacking Motivation in SC (a.k.a. Manda)
Posted by paxvox2000 on April 17, 2002, at 18:31:32
In reply to Lacking Motivation , posted by Manda on April 17, 2002, at 15:29:06
Hmmmm..... sounds like you may be suffering from a nice bout of depression. When you have no energy, or no motivation to do things, especially things you USED to enjoy, that is one of the "classic" indications of a depressive illness.
You said "school work", so high school, college or what? How old are you? This is important for anyone to provide you with any suggestions.Regardless, you should probably make a Dr. appointment with your family Doc, and see if he/she thinks you might benefit from medical treatment, counseling or both. From what you have described, your condition seems to be getting worse, and has been bothering you for awhile.
This is something "not likely" to resolve itself spontaneously (though sometimes it does). Again, my suggestion is that you wait no longer, but call your Doc ASAP to get yourself checked out. Even if you are NOT suffering from a depressive illness, many other PHYSICAL ailments can cause similiar mood changes (thyroid or hormone problems for example.
Soooooo... make the call, get yourself checked out, and do it sooner rather than later so that you can start to feel better more quickly!
PAX
Posted by Manda on April 17, 2002, at 19:29:00
In reply to Re: Lacking Motivation » Manda, posted by paxvox2000 on April 17, 2002, at 18:31:32
Pax,
Yeah, I know I'm depressed; I'm in counseling and everything. Just got a new pdoc today. On an ad that's not working at all- always fun! :) So, anyway, I know what's causing my lack of motivation and everything. I just really needed to unload, you know? Also, I was hoping that maybe someone had a good suggestion on how to get schoolwork (or anything else, for that matter) done when so unmotivated. Oh, and I'm in my third year of college, by the way- double major (recently dropped my third major to a minor). Yeah, so I'm an overachiever... I've been depressed since I was 13, so that makes 8 years now. Trying to think if I've forgotten anything... Oh well. Anyway, thanks for the concern and advice. I really appreciate it; I just happen to already know I'm depressed.
-Manda
Posted by Shar on April 17, 2002, at 21:11:29
In reply to Re: Lacking Motivation » paxvox2000, posted by Manda on April 17, 2002, at 19:29:00
Gee, I wish I DID know of a way to self-motivate when I have piles of things to do and no energy. About the only thing that will get me going is a deadline. And I will wait til the very last minute--did my taxes Sunday night.
You may have deadlines to work with, I wonder if that will help. And, I bet if you do find a better med, you'll be ok again--it could happen!
Good luck. I guess the only words of 'encouragement' I have are about things getting resolved one way or the other. You either make the deadline or you don't. And, for me, it helps to remember it is not the end of the world if I do miss a deadline (or take an incomplete). I'm an overachiever too, yet I'm finding that not being on top of things like I used to be bothers me less now.
Shar
Posted by JohnDoenut on April 17, 2002, at 23:50:36
In reply to Re: Lacking Motivation » Manda, posted by Shar on April 17, 2002, at 21:11:29
> Gee, I wish I DID know of a way to self-motivate when I have piles of things to do and no energy. About the only thing that will get me going is a deadline. And I will wait til the very last minute--did my taxes Sunday night.
Yea deadlines are great!
Im having my own motivation problems now too.
JohnD
Posted by JohnX2 on April 18, 2002, at 0:20:45
In reply to Re: Lacking Motivation » Manda, posted by Shar on April 17, 2002, at 21:11:29
> Gee, I wish I DID know of a way to self-motivate when I have piles of things to do and no energy. About the only thing that will get me going is a deadline.
> And I will wait til the very last minute--did my taxes Sunday night.
>I filed for an extension --- the story of my life. ;-)
John
Posted by fi on April 18, 2002, at 5:49:56
In reply to Lacking Motivation , posted by Manda on April 17, 2002, at 15:29:06
There's been some great suggestions already. Do keep reviewing how things are going with the treatment; there is a range of options.
Meanwhile, another thing that helps some people is to prioritise what you need to do (and include anything that *used* to be fun as well as schoolwork). Break the high priority things into really small chunks, and tackle them a chunk at a time. Dont aim too high- I love the saying 'if its worth doing, its worth doing badly!' Particularly for stuff like housework and laundry. Better to do it badly than not at all, and dont expect too much of yourself while you are feeling like this. Aim low!
At college, they may be able to give you some leaway on the amount of work or the time to get it done in?
I can get myself to do things I absolutely have to (like go to work), or that I enjoy and arent much/any hassle. But absolutely *hopeless* at everything else! The subject line of this could be my motto.
Rarely, I get a burst of enthusiasm to tackle something. I always make the most of that (once I was out painting my front steps in the winter darkness at 10pm!) Unfortunately, they are *rare*. If you do get spells like that too, do make use of them!
You could feel a lot better soon- hang on in there!
Fi
Posted by Phil on April 18, 2002, at 6:56:34
In reply to Motivation of a gnat... ¯ Manda, posted by fi on April 18, 2002, at 5:49:56
Posted by jane d on April 18, 2002, at 9:19:03
In reply to Re: Lacking Motivation » Manda, posted by Shar on April 17, 2002, at 21:11:29
> Gee, I wish I DID know of a way to self-motivate when I have piles of things to do and no energy. About the only thing that will get me going is a deadline. And I will wait til the very last minute--did my taxes Sunday night.
Taxes on Sunday night was procrastinating? I thought it was obsessively early! After all we had until Monday at midnight. :)
Posted by fiona on April 18, 2002, at 9:54:31
In reply to Re: Lacking Motivation » Manda, posted by Shar on April 17, 2002, at 21:11:29
I really wish I could help Manda, but I think I am in the same place as you right now. I am motivationless. I have to find a job in the next month or so or go back to work, neither option are too appealing at the moment but they are "must do's" because I stop getting sick pay at the end of next month.
As Shar pointed out, deadlines are usually a good way to get things done, but sometimes even they pale into insignificance and become nothing. I really would like to give you advice but apart from giving yourself a deadline and sticking to it (easier said than done, I know) I am out of ideas.With much empathy,
Fiona
Posted by susan C on April 18, 2002, at 11:43:16
In reply to Lacking Motivation , posted by Manda on April 17, 2002, at 15:29:06
hi, the ages you describe (13 + 8 years) and High, over achiever multiple majors....depression, times with lack of motivation...bring me to another question for you: Have you had a complete work up/lab work review by a talented gynocologist?
maternal mouse
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