Energy and Motovation

[dudeclbro]

Ok so here is my story....

I am a 27 year old male and am battling anxiety and depression.  Looking back on things, I realize I have been depressed and anxious for a while but it all came me in September.  I went to a doctor for twitching and tingling feelings and a headache that wouldn't go away.  The doctor diagnosed me with anxiety and I started on some weak meds.

Things got much worse over the next few months and I developed hypochondria pretty bad.  I thought I had every disease from ALS to MS to cancer.  I went back to the doctor and he started me on Effexor and that worked wonders for my hypochondria and I am completley over that.

I am working at a horrible dead end commission only sales job with a really demanding boss.  That is the biggest reason I am so depressed, mainly because I am always broke and did not expect life to turn out this way after college.  The stress of this job among other things is what is causing the anxiety.

I feel like this is such a catch 22. I want to work harder to do better at my job but I am always so tired and uninterested at work.  By the time I get home I feel so run down and tired I don't feel like exercising or doing anything to improve myself.  No matter what time I go to sleep it takes me a while to get out of bed and I am just completley out of it when I do.  I always come into work very late because of this, but like I said it is a commission only job so they really cant tell us what time to come in.  My body always aches and it is such a struggle to just take a shower or brush my teeth.

Ok so after all that I was wondering if anyone else here goes through the same feelings both mentally and physically.  If so does anyone know how to improve energy and motivation to make life more enjoyable and get my life back on track?

[shygirl26]

Everything you describe is typical depression, so yes, many other people feel this way. It can be really frustrating sometimes. The only advice I would have to give is, if you are able, make an appointment to see a psychiatrist to discuss medication. I know you said Effexor helped with your hypochondria, but the psych could probably find a medication that could treat both that and the depression, or could put you on a second med that would work together with the Effexor.

Also, this is unrelated, but if you feel like your job is too demanding, dead end, you don't like your boss, etc., maybe you should start looking around for a new job. Of course this is just opinion and I know in this economy it would be difficult and not very practical. Maybe just casually browse around. Find something that you are happy doing, and you would be amazed with how many aspects of your life will be so much happier when you're working a job you enjoy.

Hang in there.

[louu]

I agree with shygirl26 - if you can't stand your job, then try to change it. Even if it takes a year of looking before you find another one and can finally walk away from the bad one, even knowing that you're taking steps in improving your life will be a massive mood boost.

I used to suffer with depression, but learnt when I hit absolute rock bottom (just over two years ago) that the only way out is to fight. If you think "oh I can't be bothered to go to the gym", physically FORCE yourself to go. The first few times will be the worst, it's a constant battle against your body, your mind, your soul, but it CAN be done if you want it badly enough. Once you realise and accept that it's the depression which makes you feel tired (i.e. your brain) and that your actual body isn't tired, you can start to push past it.

It is such hard work, and it will drain every ounce of energy left in your body, but if you want anything bad enough then you can do it. I managed to overcome depression through sheer force of mind, I've never had meds, I only saw a counsellor for 6 weeks before I hit rock bottom, made a load of massive changes and decided I didn't need his help... you need to seize any moment of clarity when you sit and think "Why am I like this? Why can't I do this? I know I can, what's stopping me?" and just go. I was the weakest person in the world when I made the break, but it makes you so so strong in the future. You need to decide what you think your life should look like now and do everything you can, small bits at a time, to achieve that. For example, I've always wanted to be a teacher, but my parents made me do a "real degree", so I quit and had to face the wrath of my family. It was crap, but it was MY crap, I was in control of my life for once. Then I wanted confidence, so I got a job working abroad for a bit then started doing Kick Boxing. Then I wanted to re-establish the social circle I lost years before, so I organised a big birthday party for myself and made sure everyone came. Little bits at a time, each one building confidence in yourself. The longest relapse I've had in the last two years is three weeks :) I now lead the life I always wanted, and actually, it's better than I ever thought I deserved.