I Use My Dysthymia As An Excuse

[MissBeatrice]

Whenever I am not able to keep my word, or finish my tasks on time, I tell them that I am not feeling well (emotionally). I don't want them to think that I really am incompetent (or even lazy) so I just say that.

I know it's bad. But eversince I can remember I've been giving excuses as a reflex or something. It just becomes the first thing that comes out of my mouth

[GroovyGwen]

I can understand this. T he last thing many people want to do is take responsibility for bad behavior. I have a tendency to use my BP as an excuse, although more to myself than to other people. Either that or the meds that make me stupid. My family also frequently writes things off to my MI, even if I think I make valid points in my craziness.

Try to balance personal responsibility and using bp as an "excuse". In some instances, it may not be an excuse. If your meds are screwed up or you are feeling bad emotionallly, stay away from people and avoid conflict. As far as keeping your word or finishing tasks on time, really make a concerted effort to do better. Maybe be realistic as to what you can do. Don't make promises you can't keep. Try to phase out excuses, as it sounds like you are taking advantage of your diagnosis. BP doesn't give you free reign to behave poorly or be disrespectful. I should repeat that to myself as much as possible, as it is definitely an issue I have...

[ldo]

The difficult truth is that excuses don't work unless you only use them sparingly. If you've been making exuses for big stuff every month, probably people are getting skeptical.

I've been there. I once volunteered for something helping other people but I couldn't handle it. Was a bad scene, and bad for the person I was trying to help as well

You have to think about what to commit to. You don't want to evade everything, but you want to be able to underpromise and overdeliver. At least a little.

One of my problems is that I'm very bad at estimating how long things take. I try to sit down and write out all the things that will probably go a bit wrong, add them to my initial estimate, and maybe double that.

Maybe you shouldn't pay too much attention to what I say. I've been feeling better the last couple of years. Hope you'll be able to say the same soon.

[Guest puggirl]

I can understand this. T he last thing many people want to do is take responsibility for bad behavior. I have a tendency to use my BP as an excuse, although more to myself than to other people. Either that or the meds that make me stupid. My family also frequently writes things off to my MI, even if I think I make valid points in my craziness.

Try to balance personal responsibility and using bp as an "excuse". In some instances, it may not be an excuse. If your meds are screwed up or you are feeling bad emotionallly, stay away from people and avoid conflict. As far as keeping your word or finishing tasks on time, really make a concerted effort to do better. Maybe be realistic as to what you can do. Don't make promises you can't keep. Try to phase out excuses, as it sounds like you are taking advantage of your diagnosis. BP doesn't give you free reign to behave poorly or be disrespectful. I should repeat that to myself as much as possible, as it is definitely an issue I have...

[alex]

Whenever I am not able to keep my word, or finish my tasks on time, I tell them that I am not feeling well (emotionally). I don't want them to think that I really am incompetent (or even lazy) so I just say that.

I do this, and I know people who do this. Imagine if you were physically ill, and had to keep telling people you don't have the energy because, well, you don't have the energy. Well, guess what -- that's what's happening. Remember this is a physical illness at the root (chem imbalance).

I think you are suffering from the same thing most of us here are suffering from, it is just starting to get to you or those around you. If you are getting tired of your condition, complain to your psycho/psychi doc. Tell him/her your condition is starting to effect your social and work ability, which is when depression starts to go from lows and "blues" (mild depression/dysthymia) to a more serious clinical condition.