depression or something worse?

[Wideboy]

for about the past month i have been feeling like crap with a serious lack of motivation and a general can't be ar5ed attitude, but i can't work out why

I've done literally nothing!, hardly seen any of my friends and when i have (like a night out ect) I've cut it really short and gone home by myself leaving everyone there , not really been on here as much as i used to, old hobbies are non existent and I think I've started to get fed up with bikes

past week and a bit i have been on a slight up as i was looking forward to the S&W camping weekend and thought a little break would do me good, got back yesterday and I've slumped straight back into crapness that i was in a few weeks ago.

even now, i have a week of work, it was holiday i had booked a while back but due to my off i cancelled it as i didn't want to waste it. I've been up just over a hour................... and i can't be ar5ed to do anything, was meant to be doing a track day today but i cant even be ar5ed to go to that.

so far this year has been pretty crap with things happening that I've just put down to "bad luck", usually don't get brought down by anything but i just can't be bothered anymore, most likely failed a exam on Friday that was extremely important to finishing my apprenticeship and i couldn't really give a toss

its a self-destructive attitude that i really don't want

depression or something worse? what can be done?

go to your doc mate, there the best person to speak to and explain why your felling ****. You might get time off work for it as well

[fizzwheel]

I get like that now and again. I find myself staring out the window, or at my laptop screen at work and not doing anything. I go home and stare at the TV, I dont want to go out, I dont want to talk to anybody or see my friends and I cant even be bothered to switch the channels on the TV I'll just sit there watching rubbish. I'll just shut myself off from the outside world and wont see anybody or do anything.

I've been feeling like it recently and its taken a bit of concious effort to go and do things. I didnt want to go camping I just wanted to stay in at the weekend, but Liz really wanted to go and now I made the effort I am glad I did.

I'm particularly bad for it when work goes slack and I dont have much to do and then I find it hard to keep my motivation up.

What I do is set some goals or find something to look forward to or focus on. This might be daft stuff like washing my bike or going shopping, I find once I get started then its easier to keep going and then gradually the feeling of not wanting to do anything goes and I'm OK again.

I do sometimes find it hard to pull myself out of it. I'm not so sure forcing myself to pull my finger out is actually the right thing to do, but it does seem to work. I can never find a reason why I feel like I do, I find talking about it helps though. Often there is no reason. Hence why having something to look forward to helps as I get enthused about it and then my mood and energy changes.

I found diet and what I drink changes my mood to. I feel like rubbish today beer & eating junk food doesnt help and I just feel tired and lethargic, whereas if I eat better I feel better ( surprise surprise ) Exercise helps to and I find getting out on my pushbike even for 30 minutes or so will improve my state of mind to.

Theres no short answer, but as chompy says, go to the Dr's and have a chat with him / her and you might find that helps, even if its just to get some stuff off your chest.

Widepants, you sound very similar... so I went off to find what it was you reminded me of....

Originally Posted by Baph

Right then, due to things going off in my personal life that I'd really rather not get into, I've taken the decision to do something about the way I've been feeling.

Basically, my emotions and thoughts are one that I would associate with someone that has mild-severe depression. I'm not a fan of anti-depressants etc, so if possible, I'd like to start sorting my head out myself (call it male pride if you like), before any problems develop (unless they already have & I'm denying it to myself, but anyway).

The thought that randomly popped into my head was an increase of endorphins would help, and that means exercise. This was shortly followed by the "but that takes effort" type thoughts that accompany depression, but from talking to a friend, he's keen to start going to a gym too for his own reasons not that dissimilar to mine.

It's worked out pretty well for a variety of reasons. Whenever things are getting on top of me, I have somewhere I can go (and get to relatively easily) where virtually no-one knows me, and I can either work out, or just go for a swim, chill in the jacuzzi etc etc.

Motivation is the main key, for me, it was sorting myself out for the kids, without the use of prescription drugs. You've just got to find something that motivates you to get off your rear & do something, whatever that something is.

I'm still no-where near as happy as I have been in the past, but things are definitely better than when I posted the above.

It could be mild depression. Fizz's advice of exercise and goals would probably help, if not go see the doc.

[embee]

....get checked for diabetes, it can have these sort of psychological/mood/tiredness/lethargy effects. Easy to check for, often not a big deal to control, plus if it is that it won't go away on its own.

Originally Posted by embee

....get checked for diabetes, it can have these sort of psychological/mood/tiredness/lethargy effects. Easy to check for, often not a big deal to control, plus if it is that it won't go away on its own.

Oh great what a wonderful thing to have to worry about!

I've lost alot of my motivation, as well. I would work 31 hours a week for £30... I've been really tired all of the time recently and also can't be arsed, even to get up most days... I've also started to comfort eat and all the weight I've lost in the last 6 months I've put back on in 2 weeks...

I think it's just a seasonal occurance.


Seriously, find a hobby or even just start going out jogging...

Go to see your doctor and talk things through with him. The things that you mention are signs of depression, but not all depression means taking drugs. Just talking about how you feel will help, and people can offer valuable advice. I had a really bad spell after the break up of a long term relationship and found that talking things through with a 'life coach' really helped me a lot. Trouble is that they are expensive, luckily my employer paid for mine.

dont worry if you are suffering from depression, its v common and its not a dirty word....you can phone SANE helpline between 6pm-11pm any night and talk to a trained volunteer about whats troubling you , no names necessary...0845 767 8000 ...or use SANemail , you can do it all by e mail and get advise and support.....

and dont worry - im in the admin office, i have nothing to do with the service users - its all confidential...

Maybe the time off work after your off made you like this? Not being in the habit of routine perhaps...