Elaine,
I am on my sofa now. You are not alone. Many of us deal with this, and it is very difficult. I described it yesterday as feeling "stuck", like the schoolyeard bully is holding you down by the back of your neck. It does break, at least I hope so. But, we have to be proactive, and let the docs in our lives know that we are like this. they can't help us unless they know.
The common solution for this is to just get up and go one foot at a time. This is great advice, but it is damn hard to follow!

I like lists. You write down whatever applies to any category you like. It's like a shelf of thoughts, whether it is a 'to do' list, or a 'things to think about' one.
So then they are there when you are feeling like going to the next level with those thoughts.

I feel like that all the time. I have no motivation and then I get more depressed when I'm like this because I'm not doing anything and I feel quilty. Like unh said all we can do it take it one step at a time. Some days I will just do one chore, even a small one to just be able to say I did something that day, always striving to do more tomorrow.

That's the story of my life....big plans but no action. Freaking meds keep me zoned out too much. Never make me sleepy though.

I feel like this all the time too. I bought this book that my last therapist recommended to me. It's called The Bipolar workbook by Monica Ramirez Basco. It's an awesome book but inside there is a section for when you feel "stuck" or overwhelmed by all the things you think you need to do. It says to make an "A" and "B" list. Under the "A" list, write down all the things you actually do need to get done. Under the "B" list write down the things that if everything you NEED to do gets done, then you can start on those. I don't know, it worked for me. Helped me to sort out my thoughts and I didn't feel this overwhelming need to do everything all at once.

i am in the house ! i would like to drive to maine over the scary bridge . i do noit want to have a panic attack so i stay home and i avoid the big bad bridge!

I get that way a lot. SOme days, I can make plans, set goals, and accomplish them, other days I am afraid to do anything because my thinking and memory get cloudy. I guess it's all a part of the disorder.

Rainbow

Thank you so much Storm. You made me laugh on a day when laughing didn't seem possible.

try not to beat yourself up, Elaine. Just know that it will pass and that once it's over you can get back to work. Little bit at a time. Maybe just a little piece of it then say "well I did that". go easy on yourself.

I have huge plans everyday to do deep clean of my house before my husband gets home. It would make him so happy, but I can't get out of bed. I have been missing so much class because I don't like going and seeing all these bouncy 18 year olds everywhere that are probably getting better grades than me. Leaving my house has become a big problem.

I get into a "very" depressed state but when I become manic I really become manic. Like the week before last I cut a bunch of branches off the trees that needed, then cut them into small pieces and fit them into 5 paper yard bags. it in my back yard, scrubbed floors on hands and knees, and more. Then last week I couldn't stop crying all week, never got off the couch, maybe took a shower.Thats when I find I really intenalize. But I did notice that there is no inbetween.

What???? U mean it's not okay to cut big branches into little piece and shove them in bags???
Once I was chain sawing a tree...guess a little manic since it was in a forest and not my yard....anyway, walked in the house, kids said "OMG MOM!!!!"
I looked down and blood was pouring down my leg and pooling on my foot and the floor. Somehow, I'd cut myself and didn't know it.
I didn't die, though (hehe).

I am in that boat right now. I find if I can sit outside for five min. or so helps a little.

Elaine, You are not alone. After a semi-manic state this weekend, I seemed to have crashed hard Sunday night. I've been housebound since, haven't even been able to go outside to get the newspaper or mail. When I get this way I don't even have the "energy" to talk on the phone, thank goodness my boss prefers emails instead of phone calls. I keep telling myself one mini-nap then I'll get up shower and get something done. Hasn't happened yet but I know I have to get back into life or it'll only get worse. And I'm so glad I've found others who understand me.

Yes. This week so far.
It's soooo hard. I finally got out of the house by saying I will do ONE thing and ONE thing only.l Otherwise I get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing.