The first and most important thing to do is listen to your therapist. They know your emotional history, your medical history, your medication and your problems. You went to them for their help. That is where you start. One thing at a time. One day at a time. Don't think too far ahead. Break things into parts. Best of luck to you to overcome your depression. Hugs

listen to music and dance VIOLENTLY get your frustrations out!!!

That's a good one Anne. I used to dance a lot when I was younger. Even at home, it gets the blood flow going and burns off energy. A brisk walk helps get the cobwebs out, if you can't dance around your house.

Thanks for the replies...I will try...but ...I don't know...

After I wrote this post...I went to warm me up some food...and while in the kitchen...one of the worst rooms in my house...I had an epiphany...
sort of...

...I don't know where to start...I can't get started because I don't know where to start...

of course, that one little epiphany...gets my mind racing and it just goes all over the place...but the bottom line is I don't know where to start...

Everything...everything....EVERYTHING is a effing mess and I don't know where to start...and I can't even get started....

NOWWHERE!

So blast some music and dance with the vacuum!

What things did your therapist suggest?

Sometimes I find it is not the what to do but how to do it., that makes it difficult to get started

It is easy for someone to say go make friends, but how if you have no social skills? Or go get a job. How if you have no resume or references? Or people say go hang out around people to cheer up. How if you have no transportation?

Sometimes people do not understand the things they take for granted can be a major obstacle for someone. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you know what to do but not how you can do it.

Maybe we can help you find ways to get started. Your therapists' suggestions are important if you care to share with us.

Good advice annie. Just do one thing and see it through.

Well, you ARE a mess aren't you? ( That is my dry humor speaking)
I wrote a poem a long time ago about just how you are feeling. I'm going to go find it and let you read it. Be right back......
I had to dig through some boxes to find my poems. I hope this one helps a little.
1. The Biggest Obstacle to Progress is Getting Started
Free at last to be myself
To finally jump down from the shelf
And ride the currents of the sea-
The waves of opportunity.
No one can tell me "No you won't"
Its my decision if I do or I don't.
The only thing that might upset my cart
Is if no-one tells me where to start.

Please listen to your therapist. If they are good and care, they won't give you bad advice. And the hardest part is getting started.
We love you sweetheart.
Hugs GB

I've been where you are & I guess, maybe I still am. I couldn't do anything until my medication was right. For me, that was the first thing. Getting the right meds & giving them time to work. Once the depression was better, I was still overwhelmed because I had been sick for so long & my entire house, all of it, is a total mess. I had to start with a baby step. I couldn't do much at a time (still can't) because of weight & back problems. So, I went in & loaded the dishwasher with dishes in my sink. Another day, probably many, I emptied the dishwasher. Put up groceries one day that I had just brought in & left on my kitchen floor. This has taken me a long time but I finally got all my dishes done at the same time & I'm managing to keep them done. Now, I'm stuck. I am losing weight, and started going to the gym for 30 minutes a day 3 weeks ago. The first day I went I came home & did more than I had been in my kitchen. It really does help with energy. Everyone keeps telling me baby steps, many baby steps & you will get it done. That has helped me. Just doing one little positive thing. Doesn't matter if it's cleaning, personal care, sitting outside in the sun (if that is a positive thing for you). Any little thing you can do to get started. Then it becomes easier. Doesn't mean I'm ready to run in and whip this house or myself into order, but I am making positive steps in my house. with my personal care, with getting out of the house. It all helps. Just make yourself do one little positive thing & then if you can do something else. But remember all that you have done. One day I took out the trash, one day I made myself go to lunch with some people I used to work with, I put lotion on, I got my hair cut. These are nothing for most people, but they were each a big deal to me. Good luck & keep posting on how you are doing.

Well...lets see...

The vacuum is broken...i THINK i know where all the parts are to fix it but honestly that's just another task on a long long LONG to-do list...

Therapists Suggesstions...well each time she gives me different ones and all i really do is think about them and make excuses about how hard it is for me to do it...let me see if i can remember some:

-focus only on things you CAN control...
-take care of you...
-break it into little steps and do one little thing at a time
-write
-do something you enjoy...
-remain in the darkness for a little while...this would be good for me as there was a time when I loved the darkness...but now...it just doesn't work anymore.
-and last but not least...yesterdays suggestion...LEAVE the house and walk down to the park and just walk around the park or sit on a bench...this suggestion was in response to me being very very angry and having no way to release that anger...because I am and I don't!!!

The Biggest Obstacle to Progress is Getting Started ...HA! tell me something I don't know...Great Poem though GB

Thanks again for the replies everyone...and I guess I'll keep trying...but I sure am tired!!!

You can't fix everything all at once. It sounds like your overwhelmed. I get that feeling, a lot. Everything feels like it's piled on and your head associates one thing with another so you can't tell the end or the beginning of anyone problem. Dance violently, or be still, close your eyes and the voices in your head count back wards or focus on a color. Standing feet shoulder width apart, take a deep breath and find that quiet, imagine then a color on the floor. The color is seeping into you and around you every time you breath. Imagine yourself submerged; and then slowly let the color drain away with each exhale. If it is late make some nice herbal tea, and rest. Lack of sleep will only make your thoughts stuck.

I miss hee-haw and that song....

I hope you sleep well last night. I think your therapists has some good suggestions. It's just going to be hard figuring out what you can and can't change. As you go to therapy you'll learn some tricks in how you talk to yourself. How to if not silence, at least counter those negative voices. It's a day by day thing. Figure out what you absolutely need to do today, like bills that must be paid or returning phone calls. Then step outside of your house, go walking if you can. Exercise helps burn some of the nervous energy and sometimes not thinking about a problem gives your brain enough of a break so it doesn't seem so hopeless the next time you think about it. Good luck, depression is an ongoing struggle, but there are plenty of people on this boat with you.