I feel the same way every day , well , almost everyday.I have two daughters and a wife.My girls are in collage , My wife does daycare and has friends and family to do stuff with.But I barely ever leave the house.I went to doctors , shrinks , Had tests.I am on disability because of this.I can't go to far in a car (I get anxious).Sometimes it feels like I'm just waiting for my time.But I get through things one day at a time.I am on five meds.They help a little I guess.I wish you better days.

I think that is a common trait - with depression, and overwhelming bipolar shifts...

((((BIG HUG)))) I have to force myself to do things, push and hope my thoughts follow... I cannot think myself out of being "stuck", I have to try and try harder!

By pushing and changing, my episodes and down time get shorter and fewer.... hold on and think in baby steps - change is hard, especially when our brain tells us NO-STOP-Don't - that's why we know its a sick brain, it makes no sense!

(((Mystic)))
I've been there.... many losses, much responsibility, and no motivation or energy while in deep depression. I'm also a recovering alcoholic and have PTSD.

I've found that it helps to push myself to do the basics..start with baby steps.. pushed myself to excercise, pushed to get myself to therapy, pushed myself to shower, get out of bed, eat healthier, pushed to do household chores pushed to get to support meetings, etc. etc.

Another thing that helps with motivation for me is light therapy. (I also have seasonal affective disorder). It's prescribed by my doctor. (Do not Because some bipolar people cycle into mania with light therapy only under direct supervision should bipolar patients do light therapy ).

I'm glad for you that your children are back with you. That's a positive. You must have done some positive changing for that to occur.. give yourself credit for that.

I have 5 children, of which the oldest 4 are 18 and older. I have a 12 yr old daughter at home with me, and am a single mother.

A year ago, in the midst of moving, several losses (relationship, deaths of family members, and a home in dire need of repairs (plumbing, heat, severely leaky roof,loss of license, loss of employment). Somehow by the Grace of God and support from groups here at DS, I've survived, and am somewhat stable. I have some side affects from medication (seizures, headaches, fever) that prevent me from being able to drive. Thankfully, I live close enough to the grocery store and post office, and my new job. (It took time to be well enough to be employable).

Also, I was blessed with enough funds from the sale of my old home I'd sold in the former state I lived in to sustain us while I was unable to work.

Don't give up, no matter what, mystic. Things CAN get better. It takes effort and time, but it CAN be done. Baby steps... acceptance, and great support from groups such as DS have helped immensely.

You may want to discuss the non motivation issue with your Dr. A med tweak may be in order...

Sorry to go on and on, but I want you to know you're among friends who've been where you are and have achieved progress in dealing with mental health issues. I encourage you to keep on keeping on, and strive to get some manageability in dealing with life's ups and downs.

Sodium Valporate can cause what is fondly called..The Zombie Effect.

I am on Depakote , a similar med to Sodium Valporate .

I was lost in a world of NO motivation for several years .

By adding a little Wellbutrin to my med combo, my energy and motivation levels are pretty good .

Problem is, sometimes Wellbutrin can push a BP I person into mania .

I've been on the Wellbutrin for about 2 months, so far so good


Seroquel is another highly sedating med.

I don't remember having motivation for anything other than the interests I'd currently be obsessed with at any point in life, but valproate and seroquel reduced what little motivation I had even further...It made me worse than the first R2 unit Uncle Owen tried to buy at the beginning of Star Wars ep. IV....(if you don't get the reference, luke said the droid had a "bad motivator"...hehe...I made a funny)

Thanks so much for all your input lovely people and for taking the time to reply. I will bring it up with my Dr and psychologist next time I go in
wishing us all happy days

Same here , I'm a college student who used to be the top of her class , now I'm barely managing to stay in college ...... Your meds can cause that , go to your doctor and discuss a change of meds.

I understand like heck!! Man I used to just sit in the house and not do a thing at all!! Like a Zombie I was going to bed at 16:00 in the afternoon because I could not stand to be up any longer.

I had to move to a smaller home. It was a rental, I lost my house when my wife left me. I did take the dog and get a very few things. I actually was living on the "wrong side of the tracks". I got to know people, they had get together's and invited me. They had seen me mow my yard. In other words a lot nicer than the Right side of the tracks!

I got better at going to these, and slowly started staying up later. I Started helping out the lady next door. She ran a in home day care. I would give her thing now and then.

Just do it slow. Work it into your daily stuff. Heck when you get up tomorrow? Make your bed. That is a big deal!!

I abuse caffeine for to get energy, -like those energy drinks, and coffee and sodas. It's so unhealthy, & I'm borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. But I get more & more afraid & more sad if I don't do anything. I have to work on my coping skills.

I struggle with this constantly. The only relief is when I'm manic, and even then it's iffy. My mania consists more of spending a ton of money and losing judgement than actually having long periods of time with high physical energy. I too abuse caffeine...the ridiculous amount of soda I drink is killing my teeth. It's a med problem. I would trace it to depression, but it's too constant for me to believe it would be that. I've discussed it with numerous doctors. They don't care. I can't stop taking my meds. However, this discussion has been enlightening as far as seeing the suggestion of taking baby steps. I don't have much advice to give. Just emphasizing. I guess it's just another situation where you have to find a (healthy) way to counter the medication effect on you. If you can get on a line of meds that don't make you feel like this it would be awesome. I myself can't take antidepressants because I always get manic, but antidepressants are the only med that actually give me some motivation. And no matter what mood stabilizer I'm on, I still have this problem. Sorry I'm talking more about myself than giving advice...I do hope you find some answers. This "lifeless void" feeling, as I call it, is very distressing for anyone. But there are many of us like you out here dealing with the same thing. You are not alone. Best wishes!

I'm so with you on that. Ever since my breakdown in...2004, I think,...I have had no motivation...can't seem to be able to make myself do anything at all...except when we found out my husband had cancer...but now that he's been cancer free and 1 year out from his chemo, I'm in the same boat again. Can't even do anything for my daughters except listen, it feels like sometimes. Unfortunately, other than major medical emergencies, I've not found any way around this.