I have a terrible time with motivation on most days. And even when I do start something, it takes Herculean effort to finish it. "What's the point," or "I've lost interest" or something similar is my usual train of thought. I've always had this problem and it's always frustrated me.

Can anyone here relate to this issue?

I wish that I could attend school and get a degree so that I can better my life but the last time I tried that, I quit. It all becomes so overwhelming for me.

I also suffer from Depression which only complicates matters but meds do not alleviate the Depression.

I'm at a point now where I think I just need to find a way to be okay with the Depression and just manage the best I can with the ADD.

Meds DO help my ADD but right now I have no medical insurance.

I can really relate to what you are going through. I think the lack of motivation which is part of the AD/HD makes the depression worse. Sometime it's just like an endless cycle.


Maybe start with a couple of simple or small goals for yourself and write them down. Check them off when you complete them.

I know for myself I start to feel better when I get some small things done and then my motivation increases and I can begin to get bigger things done.

Also begining to reframe our thoughts can be helpful too. Yes, we have messed up and yes that brings a whole lot of negative emotions with it. But, we have to get up and try again.

It may be challenging but we CAN do it.

Overload: I understand difficulty with starting something....or finishing something as you say with Herculean effort....boredom sets in and it's easy to give in......may want to ask yourself if you could get a degree in anything what would it be? Sometimes when there is somethng you know you want REAL bad, it's a little easier to hang in there through the day in and day outs.....yes with us ADD'ers it is hard to stick something out through the end...but it's only overwhelming if we look at the whole big picture. Breaking things up into teeny tiny little tasks helps a lot...realizing it is possible to only be doing ONE thing at any given moment...for non-ADDers as well....also helps to have others with me in the process:)

Overload,
Seems we all have the same problem. I was diagnosed with ADD with comorbid depression 2 months ago after being only treated for depression for 18 months. After 5 antidepressants which only Zoloft worked for 4 months, I am now on Prozac and Dexedrine. I was taking only 10mg twice daily of the dexedrine, now am taking in am and the afternoon. I has helped with motivating me alot more. Just attempt to get something done every day even if it is small, a 10 minute project, ie vacumn the floor, clean your desk.... Then after some success you will attempt to do more. I know how the depression can make you feel stunted in your emotions and motivation but just try rather than give in and do nothing. I sometimes don't know which is worse the ADD or the depression, both can drive you completely nuts. What meds are you taking???

Thanks to all who have responded thus far. You all are so POSITIVE! :)

I think the Depression really intensifies the ADD and yes, it does become a vicious cycle. I'm not motivated because I'm depressed, and I'm depressed at being unmotivated. Ugh. I also tend to make more errors when I'm depressed.

But I have ADD 24/7 whether I'm happy, sad or in between.

I've tried many of the things that people suggest but I still wind up back in the same spot. But I'm going to keep getting up and trying again and hoping for the best.

Bart, I'm currently taking Adderall. But like I said, I don't have any medical insurance right now so I'm just about out of meds.

I've just basically given up on Anti-Depressants altogether. I've tried just about EVERY one on the market.

I had submitted an answer here...didn't post....oh well.....I relate...helps to break a task into teeny tiny pieces...and ask yourself Overload if there is something you would REALLY like to study if you were to stick out a college degree program...that would make it easier to hang in there day in and day out.....figuring out what you REALLY want.:)

I have tried Celexa, Wellbutrin, Buspar (while we attempted anxiety treatment for a while), Zoloft, Effexor, (horrible withdrawal) and now Paxil. Like I mentioned Zoloft worked absolutely wonderful for me. I felt beter last fall than any other point in my life. I mentioned drugs and alochol in my past, but now that that's over. I was I thought completely functional unitl Jan 2003 when the Zoloft pooped out. Whick really really was a major dissappointment. I have resigned myself to stay the course and go through these med combos until we find one that works.
Since the ADD diagnose in new, I am even more patient. Prozac makes me feel dark , somewhat disconnected and not very content. But what the hell at least I can get out and do things

Originally posted by joanrdtobe
I had submitted an answer here...didn't post....oh well.....I relate...helps to break a task into teeny tiny pieces...and ask yourself Overload if there is something you would REALLY like to study if you were to stick out a college degree program...that would make it easier to hang in there day in and day out.....figuring out what you REALLY want.:)


Yes, Joan. I have quite an interest in Psychology but I guess it's not strong enough to make me stick it out. I guess I see no real reward at the finish line, you know? It's like, so I get a degree, then get a job that I like, then what and so what? I don't know, Joan. I'm a bit of a case.

It all just seems pointless to me and far too much trouble. Like, not worth the effort.

:confused:

Originally posted by bart
I have tried Celexa, Wellbutrin, Buspar (while we attempted anxiety treatment for a while), Zoloft, Effexor, (horrible withdrawal) and now Paxil. Like I mentioned Zoloft worked absolutely wonderful for me. I felt beter last fall than any other point in my life. I mentioned drugs and alochol in my past, but now that that's over. I was I thought completely functional unitl Jan 2003 when the Zoloft pooped out. Whick really really was a major dissappointment. I have resigned myself to stay the course and go through these med combos until we find one that works.
Since the ADD diagnose in new, I am even more patient. Prozac makes me feel dark , somewhat disconnected and not very content. But what the hell at least I can get out and do things

I'm glad you're having some success with meds. But tell me more about what you mean by "dark." Blue, depressed, sinister?

Prozac worked fine for me for a while, then pooped out, then made me Depressed! I also recall feeling disconnected while on it and finally had to stop taking it.

Oh yes I so understand !

I have ADD and bad PMS ! Without my Zoloft for PMS troubles and Wellbutrin for my ADD,I'm a mess, my house is a mess and it feels like my life is a mess...

I don't know much about this kind of stuff and maybe someone here already mentioned this. There must be some way to get meds. I know at one point I had lost my health ins. my doctor gave me samples for 3 months and told me she'd give me more if I needed it. In your state is there any programs for meds. for people without health ins.?

Even with Ins. my $20.00 co-pay is some times tough to come up with, some months. With my meds. my husband meds. and my daughters allergy meds !!! It's about $100.00 in co-payments a month !

I have a.d.h.d., bipolar II, o.c.d. and o.d.d. behaviours from the mix. What Im hearing from you sounds alot like cyclothymic disorder, which in a hypomanic state can make your add worse. Many times those of us with adhd and depression symptoms dont get diagnosed properly because its so hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. One way I was able to decide for myself that the doctor was right about the bipolar disorder was, that if I had depression from enviromental issues, the depression would alleviate when the situation changed. Therapy would deal with the issues of my past and the depression would alleviate............it didnt. For me, another reason to be depressed presented itself.Every time. Cyclothymia isnt a real high or a real low. Its more a chronic slight up and down. People dont normally get diagnosed for the slight hypermania ( which is alot like adhd--confusion, not able to stay on task etc) but do get treated for the depression. It does seem to work for a time, but after awhile it stops or we go into a full blown hypermanic state.

While this may not be the case for you, as Im definately not a doctor, some of the tips they give people with bp and cyclothymic disorders are helpful to any one with a depressive or other mood disorder. For instance, never get too hungry angry lonely or tired etc. Manage your emotions as they come up, do not stuff them til later. Get enough sleep to the best of your ability. Eat good food when your body needs it. Writing and journalling helped me be able to see more of my issues from a different standpoint and also I found my cycle.

Depression also lies to us, it gives us half truths. It shows us where we have "failed" but doesnt show us where we have succeded. It shoes us the messy room but doesnt show us the laundry we put away in the drawers etc. So try to keep that in mind when you depression tells you youre a loser etc. It lies.

If I can be of any help please feel free to message me . I also have a website with some help regarding depression etc.

Thank you for sharing that, Crissy. That also helps some of us not necessarily diagnosed, but often struggling with various shades of depression.

Overload,

Since you say you won't be able to take meds have you looked into and nutrtioinal options such as diet and suppplements at all?

Originally posted by Overload



Yes, Joan. I have quite an interest in Psychology but I guess it's not strong enough to make me stick it out. I guess I see no real reward at the finish line, you know? It's like, so I get a degree, then get a job that I like, then what and so what? I don't know, Joan. I'm a bit of a case.

It all just seems pointless to me and far too much trouble. Like, not worth the effort.

:confused:


Perhaps you're not ready....maybe depression/ADD is still somewhat in the way....but don't recommend you ever let the dream of studying psychology go....when the other stuff is resolved somewhat, you may feel more positive about pursuing this psychology thing....Asking "then what and so what" will probably go away too....You may be able to just embrace the journey of studying something you like.....and the trouble will be worth it....:) Stay hopeful....:)

Hey Bart - I'm curious - I am taking Zoloft too, for depression, PMS symptoms (although, it's more of an added plus,) & anxiety, ocd - I'm wondering how long you were taking the Zoloft before it conked out on you. Did you notice you needed to increase the dosage after a while, how did you finally realize it wasn't working.

I'm asking because I do like it, and I wonder if it's common for it (any drug) to stop working , do I have a certain time period before I have to start worrying about it? Thanks.

Cait
Started taking Zoloft in July 2002 abd did not notice much difference in the depression. But at hte end of August, Iliterally felt the shell crack and slowly I began to emerge with a clear understanding of whatit felt like to feel "normal" I couldn't beleiev it! I could not wait everyday to get out of bed. I was happy to see the sunrise. There were some mornings I was up at 6:30 am and soooo happy to be up and waiting to start my day. I had interest in things that previuosly, I had little or no interest. I started doing things like gardening which I enjoyagain. The whole world seemed clear and I was in total control of it for the first time in yeras. If you read my first intro,you will see that drugs and alcohol played a major part in my adult life. Last fall was the first time in my life that I felt normal without them in my life. The zoloft worked until around January then I began to close up shop and spiral back into depression. I spoke with my psych. and we increased the zoloft dosage. I was so hoping that it would continue to work, but the increased dosage had not done anything. Keep in mind at that time I had not been diagnosed with ADD. The depression just slipped back into every place in my life and I knew then that Zoloft had pooped out. Major major dissappointment for me. But you know what, having those 4 months where I knew that I felt normal was a god send for me because it proved to me that I could experience the feelings of being normal. Now we are treating both the ADD and depression.
I jhave read alot online about it and all the symptoms are there,
but I'll be patient knowing that maybe I will feel as good as I did last fall. Something I did not memtion, A friend of mine sold me a cycle of Human Growth Hormone and I was taking it july -sept. I have often wondered if that had any effect on my depression, I guess I'll never know, that's a different subject. Just keep believin gthat the Zoloft is working for you .

I'll probably be the bazillionth person to suggest this to you, but have you tried st. john's wort? I know it's worked wonders for me- I used to get crushing depressions that would last for weeks or months, but now that I take the st. johns, they're gone.

If you haven't already tried it, you should know beforehand that some people are VERY allergic to it. Maybe take just a smidge and go from there. Hope this helps!

Hrmmm...sounds interesting. Perhaps I should give it a try as well.

I tried St. John's Wort once. It made me feel a very phony kind of happy if that makes any sense. I don't know how to explain it. It also made me eat CONSTANTLY. There was also some concern about photosensitivity. It seemed that my eyes grew quite sensitive to the sunlight. I recall reading something about it being harmful to the eyes.

I don't quite know what to make of my depression and how I will alleviate it. I'm really at a loss here.

Effexor, ( horrible withdrawl )

So true !

Never suddenly stop taking medication. I learned my lesson.

Me:
Zoloft: perky w/ MIGRANES after the first dose
Luvox: only worked a short period of time, then I would "overdose" until I was on 1/4 of a pill... hmmm...?
St. John's Wort: didn't work, "overdose" effect

Imipramine: wiped out my appetite, lost about 13 pounds (I'm 5'0 and went from 113 to 98Lbs)
Effexor: no appetite, lockjaw, BRUTAL HEADACHES when it wore off
Stopped after a month
Currently:
Paxil: headaches b/c 5mg ran out after 18-20hrs
10mg - makes me all zoned out at night it seems, helps me sleep better though. More of an appetite than effexor. I'm supposed to stay on this dose until the zoned out feeling goes away, then switch up to 15mg. Yay!
It's wonderful because I'm in school... only one course, I'm retaking it, but it's the summer, so I'm praying that all this will be resolved by the time september comes around.
~M