On Antidepressant and Lacking Motivation

I have always had lots of anxiety, especially the past 6-7 years. I get bad panic attacks. And the anxiety contributes to my lack of a social life (though there are other causes). I am finally trying to stick with an antidepressant (Lexapro). It seems to help the anxiety, but the problem is I am not really motivated to do anything at all. I feel like it would be easier to get out in the world and make new friends if I tried, but I just want to sit around alone all day.

I've always been somewhat lazy, but this is ridiculous. And even worse, I am generally a really happy person, and now everything seems dull. Yesterday someone asked me "Is there anything wrong? You're not your normal smiley self".

I think I prefer anxiety over this. Things were tough and I definitely wasn't accomplishing the things I wanted to, but at least life felt good and often great. Is this typical? What should I do?

I always tell my therapist how I'm not motivated to do anything and she tells me "action before motivation." So what I've been trying to do is go for walks and work on some activities (I had to choose a few for a group I attend, so right now, that activity would be learning a foreign language)

So the motivation is supposed to come after the "momentum" gets going from taking the first step? Or are we just supposed to not worry about motivation at all and just get the job done?

Part of my problem is that I'm just not used to the calm. I've lived all my life with everything really amped up. Almost like I was on drugs without actually being on drugs. Big, fun events were realllly fun and intense. An ordinary confrontation could throw me off for days. Now it seems I'm going to have to work for my "highs". But I still have all the reclusive habits from having to shield myself from the world to avoid overstimulation. Has anyone else experienced this?

shyguy000 wrote:So the motivation is supposed to come after the "momentum" gets going from taking the first step?

After my appointment with my therapist today, I got some clarification on it and she pretty much said that once she gets started on something she is unmotivated to do, the motivation comes later and she breezes right through it. I have to admit that I'm skeptical when it comes to that happening for me. So, in short, yes to what I quoted up there.

I tried this at work yesterday. Got to work thinking about other things and just didn't want to focus on the project I needed to be working on. I just decided to start. I focused on how good I'd feel at the end of the project next month if I worked hard. It worked pretty well I got more into it and motivated than normal.

But it's hard to take that first step a lot of the time. Like today, I've been pretty lazy even though I know I need to "just get to work". We'll see.

Thanks for the insight - maybe one day I'll get the guts to get my own therapist!

shyguy000 wrote:So the motivation is supposed to come after the "momentum" gets going from taking the first step? Or are we just supposed to not worry about motivation at all and just get the job done?

Part of my problem is that I'm just not used to the calm. I've lived all my life with everything really amped up. Almost like I was on drugs without actually being on drugs. Big, fun events were realllly fun and intense. An ordinary confrontation could throw me off for days. Now it seems I'm going to have to work for my "highs". But I still have all the reclusive habits from having to shield myself from the world to avoid overstimulation. Has anyone else experienced this?

You hit he nail smack on the head there, after liveing for years on full alert with anxierty , finding a med has slowed the world down is weird, you relax an loose all motivation.You get fat as the adrenalin is not burning the calories off like before.An it can look better to want to be back to what you were, But you carnt go back to burning your life at twice the speed of sound, an haveing to sink some beers just to keep below nukeing

Meh, that's kinda hard to swallow! But we'll see. I dropped to half doses for now because I had spent a month doing absoulely nothing at home and getting way behind at work. I had a peoductive day today for the first time that I can remember.

And you're right about the weight stuff sheesh. I love being skinny (6'1 150), but I've had these ridiculous carb cravings. If my stomach isn't full of junk food, I constantly want it to be. I could easily eat a big bag of chips instantly. I just want more and more! So far I haven't gained much as I have pretty healthy habits but we'll see.

ok, so im new on this forum. trying to find people who can understand the way i feel. ive been taking zoloft and klonopin for yearssssss. since my second child was born- so its 13 yrs:-o.... anyhow my anxiety and depression comes and goes. there are times i can conquer the world. and there are times i need to just sleep! sleep is my best therapy... and no one can understand how much sleep i need, including my husband! lately ive havent beeen going to bed till 3am and waking up at crazy times-12-1pm. i must stop this cycle! but i wake up- and i just want to sleep more! my symptoms include: my heart racing for no reason at times, feeling like im going to pass out, dreading and anticipating things i have to do, not knowing how im going to feel? i cant make plans, to go out, meet friends... cuz i dont want to feel like crap when im there! so my safe place is home and on my laptop{which i think im addicted to}. i feel i have so much potential to do things, i have a great eye for decorating/ fashion.. and i do nothing with my life! plus i feel like crap about myself. like all im good for is cooking for when my kids get home from school, and sleeping!! my sucky life! im sick and tired of being contolled by these emotions and feelings. my parents dont help-as they are getting older, and my mother definately is a nervous person herself!"the apple doesnt fall far from the tree'. and shes a big cause of my anxiety... im always scared to call her, not knowing what drama i will hear that day. that makes my heart pound and stomach turn! i am an only child-so it was just me and my parents! i have a great husband-who is the complete opposite of me, and i feel like crap, when i cant do what he can do? or whats me to do? plus he makes me feel guilty too! so how do you get out of this vicious cycle? i push myself to exercise.. only so i can get out of my house!! i hate crowds, louds noises, basically everything makes me nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANYONE OUT THERE, LIKE ME??????????????

sure im on sertraline ie zoloft, i go to bed at 3am an get up at nine . So your 12 oclock aint crazy its 9 hours , obout nomal i would say. I go to bet at 3am because after 10pm an the familey go to bed its me time. Chilling in my own world.Its not weird its peaceful

exactly--like you said after everyone is sleeping.. thats when its quiet in the house, and i long for that peace and quiet. so i go to bed late. seems like a live my life opposite of what most people live... im going to bed-and getting up-when most people are up at 7am. so that makes me feel guilty and bad about myself too. if you go to bed at 3.. how are you up at 9?? i need at least 8 hours of sleep.