I spent several years in this kind of state.

I think it's a deep depression.

It took years of therapy and trying diff meds before I finally came out of my slump.

Don't give up. Keep working with your Pdoc, relief is possible

Absolutely! I feel that way every now and again - especially if I'm overwhelmed or depressed or my anxiety is through the roof! I give myself little rewards for doing ANYTHING sometimes. Like a nice cup o' tea or a piece of chocolate - something I really enjoy. Sometimes, I just motivate myself to just think about doing something and the behavior follows. dancingd is right - if you're on the right med cocktail and therapy (if those are your "thing"), the inability to function declines.

For me it's not an inability to function so much as no drive to function. I have absolutely no interest in anything. Not work, not school, not my projects. I just go through the day like I should because what else is there to do?

Yes, it's a classic definition of depression. The not enjoying anything is called "anhedonia". I got yanked off my antidepressant five years ago and sank into that hole for two years. It was miserable. It took a new pdoc and a freaking $2.50 prescription to make me feel better.

My dad always says "can't means won't" but that's not true at all. "Can't" exists. When you are deeply depressed it is impossible to get up and do things. Willpower has nothing at all to do with it. If you had a broken leg no one would expect you to run a marathon!!!

Boy, I have spent months on end being non-functional! It was a success if I got out of bed for the day! For me there are a few different levels of non-functional, and it all relates to how depressed I am. It's really tough, but therapy and meds can help....but they're not magic, you know? I hope you feel more functional soon.

I've been on antidepressants for ten years but they recently had to lower the dosage because they were triggering my mania. What should I do?

Yes for sure!!!... This is the time for baby steps and small allotment time periods I think

You still have to push yourself however you feel good for the successes you achieve

I usually use 15 minute allotments and don't plan too much... So instead of thinking I have to clean the kitchen I would decide I want to wash the dishes
Or I will dust the bedroom... I find upbeat music really helps with chores... I like old rock and roll

Push yourself to do that one small thing... You can do it and it will feel good... It's an accomplishment.... Big hug dogwood

Thanks everyone! I think of one small thing I'll do today and make myself do it!

oh dogwood if only you knew how unmotivated I am to do ANYTHING! Getting out of bed is such an achievement most days but that is as about as far as it goes. My house is a mess but I just can't function or get motivated to clean and tidy and this brings me down even further, it is a sure sign of depression and severe at that. I am on meds 25 years but this last 10 years I have just lost all interest. I don't know what advice to give you as I really have no idea, I get monthly maintenance ECT treatments and even they don't improve my motivation. It's desperate. I'm sorry I cant be of any help to you. I wish you well.

Thanks silent night. I missed my pdoc appointment today because I overslept until 10am. I didn't drag myself out of the bed until 11. It is the first time I have missed an appointment with her in the 7 years I have seen her. I fully understand where you are coming from! Hope you get yo feeling better!

Dogwood, I have felt like this since Saturday. Barely functioning. Just coming online to talk to a few friends is almost overwhelming and every task feels like I'm sludging through thick mud to get it done when I CAN get it done. You are very much not alone. I hope somehow you overcome it soon. Be gentle with yourself if you can. I catch myself beating up on myself for not being able to accomplish simple tasks and that just makes things twice as worse. BIG HUGS!!

Thanks Nester4U! It is nice to know I'm not the only one that beats them self up about it!. I hope you get better!

Definitely sounds just like depression. I have this from time to time and it is impossible to do anything. I have to just do baby steps. If I read I have to do it in 10 minute intervals and I will watch tv or listen to music during the intervals. Focusing is near impossible when you feel this way so it is just a matter of not giving up and trying to do what you can. I hope you feel better soon. Just don't give up and stay in touch with your doctors about how you're feeling. It does get better!

I'm very sorry dogwood. I think it's an awful symptom of depression, and I spend a LOT of time there. I barely do housework, and I spend whatever energy with my kid. I excel at watching movies with him from the couch :/ I can trip out on a number of explainations, like laziness, esp because I can have good days. Funny thing is I'm responding to an AD. I'm trialing a Ritalin patch, and so far it's helping, so I have a wee bit of hope. (As long as I don't become irritably hypo.)

I would love to know what this symptom is about!

Yes it's very bipolar. I've been like that many times and sleep the day away. BUT - there's always a light at the end of the tunnel though and it's a great feeling to finally come out of it and get on with your life.