Procrastination is literally killing me, my entire life and affecting my family?

Question

I'm a 36yr old male, who for most of his life has been responsible. I support my family, but for the past year I been in a serious rut and I procrastinate over everything and its gotten to the point where I'm close to loosing my job, after 13 successful years. I'm so far behind with my accomplishments this year, that I don't even know where to start. I have days where I just prefer to stay in bed and not face the day. Yes, I been diagnosed with depression. I been on Zoloft for over a year now, but I'm still feelings helpless. I have two young kids (4 and 7) that are depended on me + a wife and I lose my job, our whole life will change. I'm seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist and I'm hoping they can help me.

While at work, I answer personal email and chat online with friends, just to avoid doing work. Every morning I wake up and say, "Its a new day", focus on your work and what is important, but I get to the office and 5-10 mins into my day, I'm back doing the same old thing of procrastinating and goofing off

Answer 1

I cant say anything but the brutal truth. i'm sorry if it hurts, but GET THE F*CK OVER YOURSELF AND DO SOME DAM WORK!!! You have a family to support, so stop being lazy and force yourself to do some work not for yourself, but for them!!!

Answer 2

I've been on Zoloft for a lot longer and still have days when I feel that way. Depression isn't like a cold that will go away in a few days. It could take years to just get a handle on how to control it. However, it also takes you wanting to control it to help it along. Everyday you have to make the effort to overcome the feelings and do what must be done to live, survive and provide for your family.
Talk to both your doctors about this. It could be you need a medication change or adjustment. Good luck.

Answer 3

That's good that you are in talk therapy as well as on medication (the meds without the talk therapy are next to useless. You can do talk therapy w/o meds, but you shouldn't do meds w/o talk therapy). You need to make sure that you are acting on the solutions that you discuss in therapy and you may need to get your wife involved in your treatment.

Depression is anger turned on yourself. Many times it is your body's way of telling you that something in your life is off track.

Do you have any vacation or sick time you can use to take a leave of absence?. You may be better able to work on your issues while you take time off of work. This way you aren't sabotaging yourself at work. After taking some time off you may be able to go back with a clearer head.

edit: I agree with a couple of the others that you may need to have your dosage adjusted or try a new med altogether. Your meds shouldn't cause you to still feel depression to the point that you are still procrastinating. They should help you even your emotions out so that you are able to function as you need to.

Answer 4

First of all, don't listen to the people who are telling you not to take your meds. They were prescribed to you for a reason and if you want to discontinue them, you should discuss it with your doctor to avoid any problems.

It sounds like your problem is representative of Major Depressive Disorder (as diagnosed by your doc.) You should know that amotivation is a symptom of this illness. It is not a question of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps--that just doesn't work. You should talk to your doc/therapist about these problems. they may suggest some techniques to help manage the amotivation. For now I would suggest making a list of goals at the beginning of your day. Start small, and manage the procrastination with easy little tasks, and work your way up to bigger ones. It will not be easy, and you will have to work very hard to get past this. If you are truly motivated toward your recovery, you will continue to work at it. Best of luck!

Answer 5

Life is hard and we must roll with the bunches.You're the male figure in the house and your kids and wife depend on you.If you are under so much stress than tell your wife to get a job too.Just in case you have a nervous breakdown.But you have to remeber that everyone works and is no excuse to bail.Everyone has to make a living no matter if you hate your job,that is life.Tell your doctor to switch you med's and give more into yourself and or maybe is a midlife crisis my boyfriend is 33 yrs old and get left to mexico and than he came back..and I was GONE! meaning some ppl can handle your little midlife crisis and other can't.so be careful what is your choice because that can change your life forever.

peace and may you have more faith in yourself.Before you lose yourself.

Answer 6

The human brain can detour into many strange avenues because of how chemicals from depression can attack the normal thought functions. To compound your depression is the brain's ability to see life as a story and to avoid reality. If the brain has to see it the brain is forced to erase a truth in life's expectations. That is where the chemicals are released. The fight is to avoid seeing errors becomes fierce. In fact the brain is spinning wheels to stop thinking and feeling eager . You know yourself there is a feeling of insecurity. You will have to start with accepting that life is the way it is.

Answer 7

After enduring what you have, all of us get to a component in our lives as quickly as we are saying 'all precise, adequate is adequate!' do not call your self susceptible and stupid when you consider which you probably did not arrive at this end before on your marriage. all of us has their very own decrease off component, and a few people's are before than others. If issues are so severe that your well being is affected, your strategies and physique are conspiring mutually to assist you recognize to get out of this occasion. Please do not subject approximately what your loved ones and friends will think of, i'm prepared to wager that they are going to rally around you for the period of your hour of want. settle for all the assist you to'll be presented. the toughest section is taking that first actual step, and then the rest will shield itself. Take that step, and enable the therapeutic initiate.

Answer 8

Your antidepressant probably needs changed. I tried several before I found Cymbalta that has worked well for me. What works for one doesn't always work for another. You are going to have to try to help yourself too. You still have a family that depend on you and this is not a good example for the kids to have. Do you want them that way? You have to make yourself just do it. I lost my husband and I know how it is.===

Answer 9

Maybe a med change is in the cards for you? You should check that out. Have you tried talking to your employer about your condition? I hope that you get help too. Be well and good luck. I've been there.

Answer 10

Why don't you write what your short and long term goals are. If you are seeing a doc that should help too. I am against medications for depression (I've been offered them too). I don't understand how a mind-alternating medication is supposed to help you overcome your mental health.

Answer 11

write out a timed day the night before, and if you don't finishes everything planed, dont allow yourself to watch tv or read or get online. allow yourself 20 mintues during lunch to surf the web then get back to work! good luck!