Posted by SadWren on September 16, 2004, at 11:33:31
Hello,
I am in the midst of my first major depressive episode. I am a PhD student whose "job" is essentially to conduct research and write papers, and since July I have done virtually nothing at all because I cannot seem to concentrate and/or motivate myself to do anything (then I lie awake at night panicking about the fact I have done nothing). Because the writing requires pretty intense focus for 3-4 hour periods, I find it impossible (reading has also been problematic).
I am on Effexor 150mg, but it hasn't changed anything yet (only 4 weeks in). I was wondering if anybody had any non-medication suggestions for working on cognitively taxing projects during depression. I am ok having lower productivity but having none at all is not sustainable and I am not sure how long I will be feeling this way (and from some posts, I am not sure I will get my motivation/concentration back while on this medication). Really don't want to give up the work, God knows I can't handle the real world (been there and learned that having people boss me around is very irritating).
Any advice appreciated.
Wren
poster:SadWren
thread:391494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040915/msgs/391494.html