Help for Bipolar Depression: Getting out of Bed in the Morning

Here is a comment I just received from a blog reader.

Hi Julie,

Thanks for all that you do. I have to be honest- I'm not like you. I read what you write and see what you do and know it's not possible for me. I do spend hours in bed and sometimes on the couch. I watch dumb TV and don't make good food for myself. I've read Get it Done and I love it- but on some days I can't do it. I woke up down this morning and see no point in even trying to make today different. I got on the blog and at least know that there are readers like Sandra who keep going even when things get tough. But I don't feel I will ever be that way.

Manuel

Hi Manuel,

People often tell me that they aren't like me. I hear it a lot. My first reaction is to say- "Wait! I am like you! I am like you! I just write books about what I go through!"

But of course I can see that I would naturally come across as different. But I'd like to tell you the truth about my days.

It's often hard for me to get out of bed because I wake up depressed. I don't want to stay in bed , but it's like I'm tied down in misery. The difference these days – from the days when I was first diagnosed in 1995 is that I know there are options- really big options that luckily require really small movements.  I have choices.

1. I can stay in bed and feel awful and get nothing done and cry and let my brain tell me that life has no purpose. I can listen to the radio and feel the world is passing me by. And cry some more. This means that when I do finally get up, I have a few strikes against me because I stayed in bed and I'm so upset with myself.

2. I can force myself out of bed while my brain kicks and screams and says- "What's the point Julie!"

I can't make that voice go away at first. But getting out of bed- a decision and motion that takes a few seconds- is the first step to at least getting my say in what I want for myday. Then there are no strikes against me to start the day. I get to make my own decisions.  It's a physical push like diving

This mini decision to get out of bed is the secret. It's a screw you to the depression that wants me to stay there. I am like everyone else when I wake up. That's for sure. The difference is that I've taught myself to manage the depression step by microstep.

You have to be willing to do things when you don't feel good. It's like getting used to the pain of a broken leg while it heals. If that makes sense! You have to be able to work when in great psychic pain. You have to trust that the work you do while depressed is just as good as the work you do when you're stable.

I woke up depressed today. I have a lot to do, but it seemed pointless at 7:30 this morning. Then I said to myself, "I'll tell you what's pointless Julie! The truly pointless thing would be to stay in bed and let this illness take another day from you! "

Let's say that I'm not as different than you think, but I do have my plan and I use it. We can ALL do this.  It may be hard to believe, but it's now 9:30 and my depression is at least 50% gone. All from getting out of bed and getting on with my day. It works.

Thanks for your comment Manuel. My goal for you is that you can get out of bed each and every morning. That is a big goal, but I know it's one you can do. The rest can follow.

Julie

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