Paralysed into inaction

[Meow75]

Hi. My first post in this particular part of MN.

I've been taking Fluoxetine since Dec 13 for depression and work related stress, I resigned as a teacher on Dec 16 as it was making me suicidal so I now need to sort out a new job or get some advice. Problem is I am barely able to get dressed in the morning much less make it to my local CAB drop in sessions which run from 0900-1230 every week day except Wed.

Has anyone got anything that works really well when they feel they just can't do anything?!

I would go back to my doctor. Maybe you need a higher dose?

Thanks Cherrypi. Had appt on Fri, Dr said it's too soon for that. Follow up appt on Jan 25 to consider that. Also have telephone consult with NHS MH team but not till Jan 22.

Feel like I might have stopped moving during the day altogether by then. Much better in evenings when DH is home from work.

Have you thought of applying to do online marking? I'm a teacher off sick with depression and considering resigning so I empathise. Give yourself time to recover.

Sounds like it's very early days for your meds to be taking effect. Give them a bit longer to kick in.

I also feel better when I have dh/company. Is there anyone who could come round in the morning and go with you to the CAB?

I am a primary teacher.. also off for the last couple of months. I am going to do supply work for a while until i feel well enough to cope with the full time demands again.

Thanks both.

I've been a teacher for 15 years. I feel like I've had MORE than enough of that sort of working pattern - you do a day's work and then go home to do another day's worth.

Time to try something else.

Sorry you're feeling so bad Meow. I think your aim of getting to the CAB sessions is maybe a little high at the moment - you probably wouldn't be pressuring yourself to get there with a newly broken leg or in the early stages of having the flu. You need time to recover and set yourself a baseline to work from. A goal of getting out of bed and dressed by a certain time each day would be a good start. Maybe a walk to the local shops. Build on things from there.

Thanks Stats!

Maybe you're right. It's nearly 13:20 and I'm still not washed and dressed. Only got out of bed because I needed the loo. Told myself I'd go in the shower straight after. Still sat on the edge of the bed

Would like to be able to say "Right, I'm doing it now, but I don't think I would so no point pretending.

Ok break it down even further then. When are you waking up? Set you alarm for half an hour (or an hour, or 15 mins, whatever you think you're most likely to stick to) before that. Just set really tiny manageable goals, . Having a do-able realistic routine that will make you feel like you're achieving stuff (and don't even think about the big stuff yet) at the moment will be key for you to start feeling a bit better. Writing it down might help too.

Can you claim Employment and Support Allowance (sickness benefit)?

Yy to a To Do List. With one thing on it.
If you can't think of one thing, then let it be 15 min walk.

Hi Meow, sorry you are suffering. My psychiatrist says that he actually wants people to do nothing for several weeks - the broken leg analogy is good. What we have is a broken limbic system instead and that needs complete rest too. If you can do one thing I agree try a walk but also order "Depressive Illness the curse of the strong" by Dr Tim Cantopher and follow his advice.