parenting..... / housework.....How do you manage with depression ?

[BlackCatinChaos]

I have been away from mumsnet for a while so If you don't "know" me this would explain. I feel depressed, unmotivated. Need to get washing up done (my kitchen is a tip) so I can make dinner later. If I had a choice I really would not bother but life has to go on. How do others on here manage. I mean surely if you have kids you have to find a way of keeping the "everyday" stuff going ??

Please Help motivate me somehow someone!

I'm so sorry Blackcat but I can't really help.....because I just don't understand how anyone suffering from moderate/severe depression can manage looking after kids and all that goes with it. I suffer from intermittent depression which can be severe, but am an OAP so can stay under the duvet if that's how I feel.

I know you young mums have no choice and I salute you. I really do.

Suppose all I can say is sometimes doing something is not as bad as thinking about it. I read somewhere on the MH threads (where I spend a lot of time) that if your room is a tip and you just can't face tidying, just pick up one thing and put it away, and tell yourself you only have to pick up that one thing, and then you might pick up another............hmmm - not sure but somehow think it could work - I hate exercising so tell myself I only have to do 5 mins and then usually end up doing 15.

The other thing I remember someone saying is "I can do anything, one minute at a time" and that's somehow how us sufferers have to get through the day isn't it, breaking it down into little chunks as it's too scary to look at the entire day.

Are you on meds? Does the does need altering/change of meds maybe.

Sorry can't be more helpful but sending you warm wishes and empathy through cyberspace.

Some days I don't get anything done. The house is a tip and the kids eat whatever random rubbish I can find. On good days I try to make the most of it and get as much organised as I can, knowing that tomorrow could be a bad day.
I think nana's suggestion of small steps is a good one. I sometimes find that if I just go round the kitchen and throw away a couple of pieces of rubbish, or scrape the breakfast bowls, I feel a little victory and that gives me the energy to do another little job.
But I do give myself "days off" when I do the absolute bare minimum and ignore the piles of laundry, the kids vegetable intake (lack of), muddy footprints.
Xx

It is difficult, I struggle with housework when my mood is low and when I am cheerier I want to do fun things instead I can't win!