Get It Done When You're Depressed by Julie A. Fast Read Free Book Online

depressed days.
    • Decide what you’ll do in advance so you don’t have to make what seem like impossible decisions on your depressed days.
    • It can be a huge relief to know that you have something planned and something to look forward to.
    Remember: Not having a plan for your depressed days can lead to more depression; this is simply because you have more time to think about what’s wrong with your life instead of getting out there and living it. Begin to put a structure in place now. Don’t wait.

8
    Remind Yourself That You’re Depressed
    Have you ever had a day when you stand up and you’re ready to do something … but by the time you make the first move on the project you just feel like all your energy is gone and you have to sit down again? Are there some days when you just can’t see why it’s so hard to do things? Do you think, Other people do these things with no problems. Why is it so hard for me?
    It’s hard for you because you have an illness that often makes it impossible to get things done with ease. It’s so easy to forget how depression affects your life; it’s as though you have amnesia. You can have days on which things are difficult and then you get better and get on with your life. When the difficult days come back, you think, What’s wrong with me? I was doing just fine! This lack of awareness is very common for people with depression. If you had physical signs such as a high fever, it would be easy to know what was happening. But depression is so silent. It can sneak up on you and catch you unaware.

Dealing with Catatonic Depression
    Catatonic depression is the type of depression where even brushing your teeth seems impossible. You get up in the morning, and before you know it, you’re sitting in a chair staring out the window and you can’t get up. Your brain feels blank and overwhelmingly depressed at the same time. You may stand for long periods or have trouble making the choice where to walk. This depression is particularly hard to fight.
    On these days, it’s especially important for you to remind yourself that it’s depression causing these problems and that you can still move. You can lift your hands, and you can walk. You can do what you need to do. You’re depressed but not truly frozen. Reminding yourself that you’re depressed helps you focus on what the illness is doing to you instead of what you’re doing wrong.
    Be aware of these signs to help remind yourself that you’re depressed:
    • You attribute your problems getting things done to a lack of motivation.
    • When others tell you that you should do more, you agree but find it hard to follow through.
    • You’re ashamed that the day is so hard and you often cry about it.
    • You feel confused as to why things are so incredibly difficult.
    When you learn your own depression signs, you can stop and remind yourself that it’s depression before you lose another day to self-criticism.
Matt’s Story
    Here’s how I used to think: You’re stupid and worthless, Matt. Other people at the office get things done. You’re going to get fired. Everyone can see that your work sucks. Look at how you’re dressed—you don’t even look professional. You met with that PR woman the other day, and there’s no way she’s going to collaborate with you. You’re too fat and your jacket is too small. It was terrible.
    Then I realized that I don’t think this way when I’m not depressed. I started to talk back to myself. I said, I’m depressed, whenever any of these thoughts came up. I told myself, Depression is an illness, and I have depression. These thoughts happen because I have depression. I can get things done even when depression can’t. Sometimes it’s really difficult to see what’s going on and I can focus on my imaginary failings for hours; but I’ve taught myself what I say to myself when I’m depressed and I’m more ready for it now.
My Story
    When I have a project due and the depression is really tough,