I seem to have fallen into a state of complete lethargy and don't know how to get out of it.

Since last Sunday I haven't wanted to get out of bed or do anything. I have to force myself to take the dog out. I just either want to stay indoors or very locally where I feel safe. I should be out playing darts tonight but I cancelled. This is very unlike me. Usually I can force myself out knowing I will enjoy myself when I get there. But not now. I wonder if it is related to last Saturday evening when I went to town and had 4 pints of lager (3 is usually my maximum). Then stupidly when a friend gave me the remains of her whaccy baccy fag (pot) I took 8 puffs and was off my head. I didn't know where I was or who I was. I ended up in toilet deliberately chucking up so I could feel a bit better. I managed to fool my friends and staggered home and it took another day to feel myself again. Or is it just the depression back? But it doesn't follow the same pattern of my usual depression triggers when I first notice it when everyone and everything upsets me and I go into a zombie like state and start thinking of suicide again. It's all very strange. What do you all think? And what can I do to feel more normal again?

Bev x

[Suzie40]

I don't think a few puffs of a spliff would make you feel like that! Have you had a bad experience from weed before? If so, it might have triggered memories. Otherwise, I'd say how you're feeling is unrelated. Sounds to me like you're in a bit of a depressive episode. I get many of the same symptoms that you describe, and it usually lasts about a week before I climb back out. I usually just ride the storm if I can. Sleep as much as possible, do a minimal amount of housework, invent some interesting excuses for bailing on friends and just enjoy feeling sorry for myself for a few days! Then it passes, and I'm sure yours will too Bev xx

[Photogeek]

Hi Bev. I would not say its related to a few puffs of weed. Now I have to be honest

With you. Alcohol is a Depressant. Drugs too are a Depressant. God if I drank

I would be much worse and you must watch the alcohol. It's fine for some and I'm not anti drink but for anyone who suffers from Depression it's a big no no.

Now I am not lecturing you as I can really relate to that lethargy that takes over. Bev

You sound Depressed to me. Look after yourself. It's hard to be sociable when

All you want to do is hide indent the duvet. Don't be hard on yourself.

Hugs

Hannah

[Gambit62 in reply to Photogeek]

Photogeek is right about Alcohol being a depressant and probably best avoided. Initially it gives you a buzz because it lowers the inhibitions and can make social interaction easier. But longer term it isn't good news.

I sometimes get periods when the knowledge that I will enjoy doing something isn't enough to motivate me to do it. Sometimes you just have to do it.

Remember reading in the paper a few weeks about some research that showed that if you are depressed sometimes motivation and action are reversed and you actually have to act before you feel motivated, which fits with my experience.

Try not to worry about whether what is going on is a result of what happened on Saturday - as that is in the past and you can't do anything about it, except find yourself in a downward spiral if you start obsessing.

What do you usually do that helps you get to feeling better - and just do it.

[ThemysciraDrive]

Could be an indirect result of the weekend - I know I when I used to wake up hungover, I'd beat myself up over it and that could start me off feeling depressed.

It does definitely sound a bit depressive, not feeling motivated. But I think sometimes forcing yourself to do too much can be counter-productive. I've cancelled a few things in recent weeks, just because I can feel my spirit starting to creak and feel tired, like I does when I feel very bad. 'S a sign it needs a rest. I've had a couple of lazy-ish weekends which is unusual for me, I'm usually. So maybe relax a little and try not to get too agitated about feeling lethargic - could end up in a cycle if you get stressed over it.

Hope you feel brighter soon.

[Adorable1]

Hi Bev

Sorry you feel this way right now.

I know drink sends me on a massive low for a few days, so I'm guessing it hasn't helped. If I make an effort and do something with friends or do something nice , sometimes it kinda feels like I feel guilty for even trying to enjoy myself or having a good in my experience it passes after a few days sometimes a week, and I sleep a lot and am very lethargic at that time. It's not a nice feeling at all.

I'm hoping for you, like me it passes soon and you will feel better, I'm sure it will. For the first few days I don't even want to consider doing anything, but after that I usually force myself, it's a huge effort , but I go for a short walk..

Thinking of you Bev.

Hope today is a better day for you. Be kind to yourself.

Much love

Sue xxx

[Holly101]

Hi hypercat,

I'm not a doctor, and I don't know much about your background, I also agree with the others that a few puffs of a joint probably wouldn't get you in the state your in just now, but there is a lot of evidence that smoking dope causes mental health problems, usually in people who were already susceptible to them, but also to people who would otherwise never have developed any mental health issues.

Maybe you were already on the verge of going through a period of complete lethargy and depression, and that weekend, the alcohol combined with the dope might just have been the straw that broke the camels back and triggered it off?

You'll probably never find out, what you should concentrate on is how to get out of that pit of despair your in just now..

Have you got a bath? Take the dog for a big long walk, somewhere quiet so you still feel safe and don't get freaked out, and totally knacker yourself out.

Then when you come back, run yourself a nice bubblebath, put some of that aromatherapy stuff in it, candles, the lot..

Then put your jammies on and get comfy,and watch your favourite film ever. I bet you'll feel better after that..

Then go to bed, and tell yourself, tomorrow's a new day, I'm starting afresh, and I'll feel a whole lot better than I have been since Saturday!

I know it's hard to actually get the get-up, -and go to do it, but try it, I hope it works and tomorrow will be a better day for you...

Good luck!

Lots of love, Holly xxx

[Adorable1]

Bev

Hope your feeling a little better

Sue xxx

[Hidden]

Sorry for not answering before everyone. Many thanks for your advice. I usually just cope with it by doing my normal activities even if I don't want to. Having to take the dog out is brilliant for that. As long as I don't have to talk to anyone or interact with anyone or anything I usually recover quite quickly. What does worry me is that I am currently on JSA and have to look for work. I want a job but what happens when I feel depressed and have to be with people and work and deal with situations? My depression doesn't go away then but stays permanently on low grade with flare ups now and then. I also get very anxious and stressed all the time. In my last job I was off sick quite a lot because I needed to rest my brain and concentrate on getting well again. I can't do that in a job again can I? My doctor doesn't seem to think my depression is bad enough for ESA and I don't think I would pass ATOS anyway. So I am stuffed!

Bev x.