Hard to get out of bed

[Iluvhorses]

Hello everyone! So it's an everyday struggle for me to get out of bed and go to work because of my depression. I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Because it's so hard for me to get going, I am often late to work. I try to make it to work on time. I really do, but my boss still gets really mad at me. I've tried explaining my situation to her, but I don't think she buys it. I text her telling her I'm on my way and such, but I just don't know what else I can do. I'm honestly afraid to try explaining this to her again because I'm worried she'll think I'm trying to make an excuse. She thinks I don't care about being on time, but I do.

[hypercat54]

Hi I totally get this and emphasise with you. Fortunately I am retired now but throughout my working life this was my major problem, getting up and going in to work. I have lost count of the times I have been bollocked for being late! I was always a good and efficient worker once I was there which has saved my life on occasion but have lost jobs because of it.

What I found helped was having a good bedtime routine. I always went to bed early enough to have my 7/8 hours sleep even if I found it difficult to sleep. I also did everything the night before ie washed myself and my hair, ironed my clothes etc. so all I had to do in the morning was grab a cup of coffee. I often bought a roll or something for breakfast on the way to work as couldn't always eat first thing.

It did take a lot of self discipline but I always took the line of least resistance ie was it less hassle to get up and go to work or be told off for being late again and putting my job in danger. Also the thought of losing my job helped too and the enormous hassle of trying to find a new one and of being skint helped a lot too!

One little trick which sounds strange but does work is when I was so fed up of my mind arguing with itself I suddenly told my feet to move. This distracted me enough to get myself to my feel and get moving.

I hope these tips have helped a bit. x

[Iluvhorses in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you! I find that the reward system works. I like YouTube a lot so I can reward myself for sitting up in bed by watching a short YouTube video. A really short one that's like 2 minutes long. Then I can do the same after brushing my teeth and so on. I also like to listen to music while getting ready so I can do that.

[hypercat54]

Oh and one more thing don't try and explain any more to your employer as they aren't interested in reasons why you are late. They just want you there on time and their attitude is if you can do it then i will get someone who can. I can see their point of view.

Also if you are allowed to get in late then they think others will start doing it too.

Is your employer making any reasonable adjustments for you because of your depression? I am not sure what country you are in but in the UK they have to do this as part of employment law but it also depends on how many employees there are as well. You could always ask for a reasonable adjustment of being allowed to be late in as long as you make the time up? x

[Iluvhorses in reply to hypercat54]

I am a waitress. I brought this up with the general manager of the restaurant. This general manager is the boss of my boss. I didn't mention my depression when I applied for the job so I told him yesterday. I am hoping that he could somehow accommodate me or at least know that I'm not late due to a lack of care for being on time.

[Hidden]

Hello it is important you go to bed at the same time and also get up at the same time, this will help your body learn how to get up in the morning. Also you need to consider how much sleep you need each night, as we get older we seem not to need as much sleep although the amount of sleep needed is different, no-one is the same. So work out your sleep needs.

I have no problems now getting up as I am getting older. When I was younger I would have two alarm clocks, I would set both up away from the bed where sleeping. You can get alarms that go off twice, you need two of then. Set one alarm clock to fifteen mins before you get up and the actual time you get up, the second alarm five mins later the last time 10 mins later, you will be forced to get out of bed as you will need to switch each clock of.

That was how I used to do it when at work. I had to get up at 06;00 in the morning to catch my bus too work, we had a countryside service and I had no choice. It worked for me.

BOB

[Hidden]

Hey, I've had the same problem as you. I had a hard time getting out of bed because I would wake up with anxiety. I would suggest not eating for at least four hours before bed. Drink plenty of water and go to bed at the same time every night. Meditate or listen to soothing music when you go to bed.

It's also good to make some time for some "me" time in the morning. I like to wake up an hour or so before I have to go to work. I like to take the time to meditate, journal, listen to music, and do whatever feels good. Do whatever feels good to you. It'll give you something to look forward to and give you more meaning to your mornings than just work.

Good luck. I hope your depression goes away.