Depression?

[MoreThanSmooth]

I think I've been depressed for so long now that it kind of just feels like a state of normalcy to me. But I'm not 100% sure it's depression, so I thought I'd ask you guys what you think.

I've not ever been diagnosed or anything and I've tried online self-tests and usually I score kind of medium. But the weird thing is that it's mostly not altering my actual mood, but more my work, my sleep pattern and a total lack of energy.

In all honesty, I've been so tired at work I feel like I'm stoned or something. Even with plenty of sleep I'm often barely able to concentrate and very slow witted. I feel like Edward Norton in Fight Club - staring into space when I should be working, and only just managing to hide this from my co-workers. When working from home, I can go a whole week and barely get anything done.

I genuinely feel like in the clip above, and it's kinda scary.

In the morning, getting out of bed feels almost like an insane struggle too. I used to be quite fit but I hate exercise now, I've started a new programme but I have to force myself to do it or I just...don't.

Also my work project has taken me 3 years and is very important, but I almost feel like I don't give a sh*t about it anymore. Or anything else really, it all seems irrelevant. It's actually really stressful just knowing that I need to work harder but I can't seem to.

Does that sound like depression or am I just not sleeping enough or something?

 

[Billtx49]

Your mental health is a serious issue, it affects everything you do. See a therapist if you have doubts about it.

 

[Atom Smasher]

How do you feel about your career? Does it sometimes generate enthusiasm in you, or are you neutral about it? Hate it?

 

[MoreThanSmooth]

How do you feel about your career? Does it sometimes generate enthusiasm in you, or are you neutral about it? Hate it?

Used to enjoy it but it's been 7.5 years of study, frankly I'm pretty tired of it now. Maybe that's factoring into it?

 

[Billtx49]

Used to enjoy it but it's been 7.5 years of study, frankly I'm pretty tired of it now. Maybe that's factoring into it?

That signals boredom to me. Add some excitement and passion into your life.

 

[MoreThanSmooth]

That signals boredom to me. Add some excitement and passion into your life.

The more I think about it, my life is my work and I think this is the problem. And thanks to my mental state I'm not even working efficiently.

I'm not dating at all right now. Mostly at home, I only really leave to shop. My friends have moved away in the last few months by and large too.

I want to go back to learning guitar, I want to meet a fun chick and get fit, but all I seem to have time for is the f*cking job. There's only 3 more months of it left, but it's so tedious...ugh.

 

[Fzatf]

I'm not a psychiatrist but your energy levels and way you are at work do indicate depression. It can definitely be impacted by burn out and a loss of passion at work. You do it 40 hours a week or more after all.

Slog it out as best you can for the next 3 months looking forward to your next endeavor. I also recommend trying to see a therapist.

In the mean time make sure you're eating healthy and try to get back into exercising. Getting some sun can do you good as well. Finally, make sure you socialize either with friends or in the dating arena.

 

[soulforge]

I highly recommend you get into some fitness regime bruv..

This will massively lift your mood, your energy levels and BOOST your confidence!

Also a healthy diet is a MUST

I have been in your current state some years ago... And trust me, bodybuilding totally transformed my life!

Muster up the motivation and hit the gym!

 

[MoreThanSmooth]

I highly recommend you get into some fitness regime bruv..

This will massively lift your mood, your energy levels and BOOST your confidence!

Also a healthy diet is a MUST

I have been in your current state some years ago... And trust me, bodybuilding totally transformed my life!

Muster up the motivation and hit the gym!

How long did it take you to get ripped, bud?

I find it's the repetition that I lack the discipline for. I came close to getting really fit a few years ago but fatigue got me in the end. I'm hoping if I can keep it up for at least 6 months I can at least start improving my physique again.

It's daunting when it's been like 2 years since you've had a routine and you've got fat again...

 

[EyeBRollin]

You have to set smaller goals and projects outside of work. It will help you score small wins along the way and feel like you are working towards something.

Take fitness for example. Create a plan of where you want to be 6 months from now. Try it non aesthetics or scale based, as that is where most people get discouraged and quit. Something like running a half marathon or being able to deadlift 400 lbs. That makes each workout a small goal as part of a journey towards your overall accomplishment.

 

[Spaz]

I don't think you are depressed.

More like boredom, then settling into a routine which over time made you lazy.

You need to set yourself achievable small goals as a start and then gradually work your way up towards harder goals to keep that passion alive within you.

Small goals takes relatively shorter time, and all those small wins that you collect will boost your mojo - positive attitude.

 

[Reykhel]

How long did it take you to get ripped, bud?

I find it's the repetition that I lack the discipline for. I came close to getting really fit a few years ago but fatigue got me in the end. I'm hoping if I can keep it up for at least 6 months I can at least start improving my physique again.

It's daunting when it's been like 2 years since you've had a routine and you've got fat again...

Here's what to do:
1. Download the Insanity workout videos (a little bird told me they are free) and start it on Monday.
Why this workout? You'll get fit, lose fat, get strong and defined (think Fightclub look) in a short space of time (2 month program)....after that you can decide to repeat, do something else, or go to gym....but it will be the fire in the azz you need to see results quick and continue.
However, it's not just because of the physical side that I recommend it to you: I remember reading a review for insanity and a fella wrote something like "I don't know...it's the feeling afterwards.....I just felt it was like Christmas"
With the high intense levels of cardio you will get a massive endorphin rush which will enormously help elevate your mood, plus because there are a huge amount of body weight resistance movements your testosterone will get a boost too.
Do it in the morning before work.........the first month the workout is 40 minutes and the second they are 60 (second month is a little nuts, so if you need to just keep repeating the first month until you finish in the job in 3 months.....do that....3 months repeat the first phase). Get up a little earlier, plunge your head into a sink of cold water, drink some lemoned water, maybe get some guarana and pop two, half a banana or a kiwi..........meditate a couple of minutes to focus on the breath and the here and now.....and do it.

2. Listen to a positive audio/podcast on your journey to work
For example Brian Tracy on Self Discipline or Self Confidence. Fill your mind with something uplifting and positive.
When you get up in the morning what are your initial thoughts? For many it's "fvck another day" Brian Tracy addresses things like this, self talk...how we can bring ourselves down with negative self talk and obviously vice versa

3. Read something positive/inspiring perhaps when you come home..
I recommend Stoicism but not the originals yet. Read something modern which will incorporate CBT (which is practically based off Stoicism anyway) Stoicism and the art of Happiness or/and Stoicism and the good life. Reading these before you read the originals will give you a great deal of context in my opinion.

4. Join meet up. com
Choose something and go out at least once a week to SOCIALISE.

5. Meditate.
learn to focus on your breath and stay in the present

6. Htp5.............maybe with insanity you won't need it.....but check it out anyway for night time a little half.

 

[MoreThanSmooth]

...

Really appreciate all this deep advice mate, thank you.

 

[speed dawg]

Used to enjoy it but it's been 7.5 years of study, frankly I'm pretty tired of it now. Maybe that's factoring into it?

I'm with Atom on this.

I used to think that my job did not define me, but the the older I get, I see how that is untrue. Your job MUST define you, you spend most of your life there. I suffer from the same issues you have, and I believe it's because I have no passion for what it is I am doing, and that's a problem, because at my current stage I am living to work. You sort of have to in my role, in order to succeed.

Long story short, I am considering taking another job that is more 'work to live', and, coincidentally, more in line with my passions. This will also free up my time to pursue other things that I care about.

Work is such a big chunk of your time, it's just hard for me to believe that if you don't care about it, then the rest of your life won't reflect that.