Shown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elizabeth on January 19, 1999, at 22:33:42
For a while, I've been in this sort of in-between state where I'm not truly depressed but neither am I fully well. (I've been going on the assumption that if I were able to take a higher dose of Parnate, this would clear up, but I can't do that because of those darned "autohypertensive" episodes). This has caused me a lot of trouble - it's hard to feel interested in much of anything, so I tend to become isolated socially, and I neglect my school work (and eating, sleeping, and other minor details!). Now I have a final exam coming up and don't really know what to do. I feel like I'm supposed to pull myself up by my bootstraps or something, like it's silly to be asking for advice. But anyway, can anyone give me a tip on how to manage this in the short term until I get the not-quite-depression under control?
Posted by Shelley in Seattle on January 20, 1999, at 17:50:45
In reply to help! procrastination, posted by Elizabeth on January 19, 1999, at 22:33:42
Hi, Elizabeth...
I really know what you are going through! I don't know how much help I can be, but this is what I try to do (as I procrastinate also, and then things build up into one big heap that seems insurmountable, then my brain disconnects from it -- like an ostrich with its head in the sand!)
What I try to do -- and believe me, I know it isn't easy when you are knee-deep in it -- is break things down in to small, manageable pieces so the 'overwhelmed' feeling will abate. I know that when I am depressed, I can't see all the other ways to do things that exist, I can only see one way. I find that the big difference lies with how you view things (I guess you could employ the glass half empty/half full example, even though I am not a fan of simple positive thinking). Taking a step back to gain perspective and see new options can do wonders.
How much time do you have before your final? Can you study with a classmate (though I know it's sometimes hard to want to be social when depressed), or maybe go to your campus tutoring center if you need a bit of help with the subject? Probably the first thing I would do is something to relax or de-stress. Pick something easy that's just for you -- an aromatic bath, a walk in your favorite park, get your hair done, etc. Then think about what your next step will be.
The last thing I can suggest is that you turn this around -- think of what advice you would give to a friend who asked you this same question. Lots of times the advice you'd give a friend is the same thing you should do. Sometimes we give away all our best advice to others :-)Please feel free to write me -- and I hope it wasn't too much hot air. Good luck!
Posted by Seamus on January 26, 1999, at 11:58:51
In reply to help! procrastination, posted by Elizabeth on January 19, 1999, at 22:33:42
Start by deleting Dr. Bob's bookmark?
Seriously, here's tip I use. Get a kitchen timer and set it for 3 minutes.
When the three minutes is up STOP working, or set it for another 3 minutes.
This is the end of the thread.
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