Starting my day on my day off is very difficult.

[JW621]

As a adhd with bipolar I struggle on my days off. I have no structure on my rest day. I have so many errands and thoughts of planning my day right. Even with meds sticking with a plan is difficult. How do I make myself do it ? Is it my olanzepine and fluoxetine causing this laziness with my sleeping pills. Does anyone have this issue with sleeping and taking so much antidepressants that the next day is very difficult to get going?

[applejack123]

Yes. It's Sunday and as I lay here in bed at 2pm waiting for my meds to kick in, I often find that if I have no urgent reason to get out of bed, I have a hard time doing it. Meds help, but I often forget to take them or take them too late in the day.

You're not alone...although knowing that doesn't really help with the problem.

[JW621 in reply to applejack123]

I’ve done that also

[JW621 in reply to applejack123]

Thanks for that reply.

[Neurolancer]

Hi there. I have ADD with bipolar one. I’m at home with my 16-year-old son and while I do a lot of leadership level volunteer work and have home responsibilities, I have A LOT of free time on my hands. I have two tools. A smallish lined notebook where I write down to-do items every couple of days plus a calendar phone app. Every few days I look out on the calendar and think about my to do list and block out times that are “free“ that I’m going to use to get to-do things done. I literally just block out a couple of hours with the label of “To Do”. In the calendar entry I’ll list the things that I’m going to do doing that timeslot. I also block out any social time, workout, etc. The more detail the better without going overboard. The next day I already have mapped out what I need to do and that helps me get going. I cross things off of my to do list to help me feel accomplished and motivated.

Regarding medication, I take my ADHD medication first thing in the morning even if I’m going to climb back in bed and have some tea or coffee. Literally, the first thing I do. For years I took Lorazepam every night (muscle relaxant, anti-anxiety, sleep-aid) and finally I realized that had cognitive functioning loss the next day, and of course sleeping in longer and having a bit of a hangover in the morning. So with effort I dialed that back and now use it as an occasional fall-back for anxiety and sleeplessness.

With COVID, I found myself sleeping longer to an alarming extent! Which starts my day off behind the eight ball. I’m trying to reduce that now and trying to stay on my feet more time in the day. I also try to get out the house to run an errand even if it’s just to get gas and pick something up at the pharmacy. You could set a time to do driving errands earlier in your day to get yourself moving. Or make a “date“ with a friend to meet for a walk or run or coffee earlier in the day so that you get going and you have a commitment to actually be up and somewhere by a certain time.

Dress for the day – don’t hang out in loungewear as it doesn’t lead to getting stuff done.

I hope this ideas help. Just get the darn notebook and get the calendar going on your phone. I really like Calendars by Readdle — the best!

Good luck!

[F_RN_Dx_at_39 in reply to Neurolancer]

I've been listening to a podcast that recommends making a list at the start of your day of things you want to accomplish and then rating them all one, two or three's as far as priority for what needs to get done. and remember just because you need to get them all done and think you can doesn't mean that you actually have that much time in the day to do it so try and focus on a few of the really important ones and get them done when your brain is working best, especially if they're not things you want to do. I found I can't just keep stuff floating around in my head because if I do that nothing gets accomplished. I tried it last Sunday and it was really helpful.

[JW621 in reply to F_RN_Dx_at_39]

Are you consistent with it?

[F_RN_Dx_at_39 in reply to JW621]

Last Sunday was my first time doing it. I have so many things on my list to accomplish and they never get done because I get distracted by things I'd rather do. I'm frustrated at myself for not accomplishing the things I need to do week after week. No I haven't been consistent because I just started, but it's definitely something I want to do. I have consistently been listening to the free podcast The drummer and the great mountain that's easy to find on Spotify if you search for it ADHD podcasts. I play in the background when I'm doing things and have definitely found useful advice.