Help!! I don't feel like doing anything - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrOmnos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 12:46:49 pm
content: I have been working on several projects. But since few days ago, I don't feel like doing anything. I am 25 years old. My parents are the best parents one can have. I am neither poor nor rich. I am fortunate to have food on my plate and roof over my head. But I just feel like I have no purpose. Whenever I try to do something, I feel like for what? For whom? Why? I have no motivation left. I feel like if I were to disappear today, it wouldn't matter. Why learn things when it doesn't matter? Why sit for hours and solder inhaling fumes? Why wake up at nights fixing your code? Why do anything? The world doesn't care. No one cares. I am sorry if I am breaking rules and posting it here. I just wanted to share this with someone.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 12:57:26 pm
content: Then you need to find some project/motivation that is both interesting to you and the world. Find a problem that you can solve in a different way, whatever it is, learn whatever you need to solve it (maths, algorithms, programming...), get the necessary tools and equipment and go for it.Believe me, once you get it right, you'll have more on your plate than you can deal with. Boredom will be over.

author: BNElecEng
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 01:19:59 pm
content: When i have these moments, and I'm pretty sure everyone goes through it at some point, I binge watch TED talks. Something always manages to inspire me and start me off in a new direction. I have about 10 incomplete projects that are waiting for my attention again one day.As for the reason why to do anything when you believe that nobody cares, take some time to chat to people about the things you've done. People are more interested than you might believe but they can't possibly know about anything you've done unless you share it with them. You can share your projects here even if they aren't complete. Feedback from members might just give you the motivation you need.Fundamentally, the reason I do anything is for myself. I learn because I want to, I experiment because I want to. I have had times when I haven't touched any projects because I couldn't find the motivation. It's ok to not want to do something. It's ok to take some time to sit and watch TV, spend time with family and friends.People do care. Consider the fact that myself and another forum member have taken the time to read and respond to your message. We'll probably never meet you face to face but it does show that even complete strangers on the other side of the world can care. Now imagine how much your family and friends care for you?If you feel like sharing your projects with us, then I for one would read about them with interest.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 02:53:32 pm
content: You have had some really good replies. I am just going to add one idea.One solution to your problem is to look at other people really struggling with technology and to see if you can use your talents to really help them.To actually help people though, you have to be able to see what their real problem is and address their problem, rather then coming up with ideas that seem wonderful and elegant for someone like you.Just an example. Older people getting Dementia cannot use any modern music players or audio book readers. They absolutely cannot use touch screens. They cannot remember instructions. They often cannot remember that you turn the device on and off by pressing the red button with a power symbol on it. They often cannot read because their eyesight is deteriorating. They actually need a device that does not require them to remember instructions at all. It cannot use buttons at all as they are just to abstract and unintuitive especially if you cannot see them properly.There are uncountable audio playing devices on the market, and about all of them are totally useless. The only player I know for these people is a very expensive box. If you hinge open the lid, it starts playing from the last power off location. Under the lid, there is a great big knob that does volume. Close the lid and it turns off. That is it! There are no other controls. That costs about $600 here in Australia.That is probably nothing like an idea you would come up for yourself, but it can be absolutely life enriching idea for someone who previously was living a life in an aged care home with no form of mental stimulation. It can be improved on. If they are listening to an audiobook, they will often fall asleep. If there was a way they could easily jump back to previous power-off locations that was done in a way that was purely tactile and obvious, it would be much better. Perhaps if the box had built in WiFi so relatives could remotely load and queue content, it would be even better still.I am just mentioning this example because the feeling that no one cares can be an indication that we are not really listening to others to find out what they do actually need.Richard.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 03:03:53 pm
content: I get like this occasionally.Creating and learning things is difficult to do 100% of the time. Take a week off. Watch some TV. Eat some good food. Do some exercise. Drink lots of water. Meet some people. After a few days the motivation and ideas will come back.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 03:13:11 pm
content: It's called 'depression' and this isn't the place to get help. Find a mental health professional and do it soon!

author: John Heath
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 03:32:08 pm
content: Welcome to the world of human behavior. I did a minor in it and can give a few tips. You put your finger right on the problem. I come from a great family with good parents and no financial problems to speak of. There is the problem. The DMS technical buzz word is stimulus reactive anxiety cognitive disorder or in plain English stress from lack of stress. Not to worry as it is an easy fix. Look in the mirror and say I am the best , better than the rest. No one can live up to these words however your unconscious mind is not the sharpest tool in the shed and he will believe it. This will lead to a change in behavior. You will not be getting up to write code rather you will be up all night writing code. If you do not you will experience attitude conflict anxiety. Once you feel attitude conflict anxiety you will not want to revisit it. It is your subconscious mind saying " hey we are the best and that flaky code ain't cutting it so chop chop lets go". Hope this helps and be prepaid to be as busy as a one armed wall paper hanger if you take this advise.

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 03:58:31 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 13, 2018, 03:13:11 pmBest answer so far, which I subscribe.DEPRESSION happens to many people in western society and you should talk to a professional about it.Untreated depression tends to get worse, one danger are suicidal tendencies.Start by talking to your parents about it, seek a psychologist afterwards.There is no shame in getting help and treatment can vary from a simple series of talks to some drugs.Life is wonderful when we are feeling OK.But if one is depressed AND smart enough, it is easy to figure out how pointless life is: we will die anyway, so why bother?Well, because along the journey, there are some amazing occasions, that make it all worthwile.Again, seek help, only if out of respect for your parents, who care about you.Regards,Vitor

author: CNe7532294
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 04:13:41 pm
content: Quote from: Bicurico on February 13, 2018, 03:58:31 pmAgreed. Even though I've been there and done that and personally witnessed a good friend end her life. I'm not gonna come on here spouting advice of what to do next. How irresponsible that would be of me.I'm a nobody to you. Same as everyone here. We don't personally know you and you don't personally know us.Worse off is that there are demented individuals online or people that just don't know any better that drive people to commit suicide nowadays.Please seek help from a professional and your parents whom love you. Best advice any nobody can offer.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 04:21:11 pm
content: It might be boreout, the lack of challenging work. I had that. You get good at something, and suddenly which excited you yesterday, is trivial and boring today. Get more challenge, if your workplace can offer it. Talk to people around you, talk to the manager. Tell them how you feel. And as others said, talk to a professional if you really need to.

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 04:36:12 pm
content: Certainly if you're considering self-harm or if you are convinced that this is a long-term thing, seek professional help.Since you say it's only been a few days, maybe you're just tired or sub-symptomatic virally ill or something. If that's the case, rest up and chill for a few days or take a short vacation or other mental break and see if the motivation comes back.No one is 100% motivated 100% of the time.No one is 100% happy 100% of the time.Having feelings of boredom, laziness, or unhappiness on occasion is totally normal and no great cause for alarm so long as they pass.

author: iwtommo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 04:37:32 pm
content: Sounds like you have an easy life - no wonder you're depressed.Everything you do DOES return to net zero FOR YOU. Have you considered a new project - kids?

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:14:50 pm
content: Quote from: iwtommo on February 13, 2018, 04:37:32 pmPlease, no. Kids don't make life better. Kids make life harder. It's fine if you deliberately choose to have them, but don't have them to solve other problems. It's a recipe for disaster.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:22:19 pm
content: I'll agree with that. I've currently got one that has just mixed her sister's jewellery with sequins in a box and in revenge the other one has covered her hair in sticky tape. I'm not even going to deal with it yet. It's not that it's not rewarding and fulfilling, but agree with Mr Scram entirely. If there are problems, this will only amplify them.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:33:29 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 13, 2018, 03:13:11 pmThis is too quick to judge just based on a few days ago, MrOmnos just lost all motivation. I've been around for 48 years and had a few bad weeks throughout my life. Hell, I had a entire bad month once. I would say if this happens on the odd occasion, it's nothing too bad. If it is a weekly or monthly occurrence, then something much larger is at play.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:37:06 pm
content: MrOmnos, when you were young, was there anything you wanted to do in the world? What is the reason you work in electronics?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:37:49 pm
content: Happens from time to time. I leaned to not worry about this and just go for walks more or binge watch TV shows. Things come back to normal in a week or so.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:40:12 pm
content: Oddly I sometimes feel the same way. I have lot of projects I want to work on, and when I'm sitting at work I'm all inspired by what I want to do on my days off.On my days off instead I end up sleeping in and then by the time I figure out what to eat etc it's late and I just end up browsing the internet all day. I have to stop doing that and get more productive. I think for me, it's that I have a shift work job and tons of time off. So I've become too complacent with having all this time on my hands. I have done some big enough projects so when I get in the groove I do get stuff done, but it's the thing of getting into that groove.One thing I find that does help though is to pick one project, and give yourself a deadline, and just do it. Don't even think of the other ones. I find myself I'm guilty of not doing that. I think of working on project B but I tell myself I should really finish project A. I end up not doing either one.Though this time of year is probably the worse for that, because there is not much day light and it's always dark out, and Christmas just ended, and it's just meh. I find January-March can be kind of depressing. It's cold, it's dark, and there's not really any special occasions. By April then at least you know summer is coming soon, there's Easter, and it starts to get a bit more light out. But that gap between Christmas and Easter just feels so dull, cold and dark.As a side note it's also important to take vitamin D at this time of year. There is not enough light out to get it naturally.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:41:54 pm
content: If it's persistent, get medical help. That's called being depressed. If it's been a few days, try to exercise. That sounds silly, but it's suprising how different the world can look after just throwing yourself physically at something.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 05:59:18 pm
content: Stop watching TV. Better yet, throw it away or only use as computer monitor.Pay attention to what music you listen and switch to something lite. Read books, paper ones, not e-junk.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 06:03:50 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on February 13, 2018, 05:59:18 pmYour advice is to go back to 1925?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 06:15:40 pm
content: It’s 2017. I haven’t watched TV for about 2 years. Apart from when I’m having a shit. Managed to get through Hardcore Henry (it’s not porn for ref) in a week of shits.

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 06:17:41 pm
content: 25 is a good age to leave the nest.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 06:26:40 pm
content: Quote from: jancumps on February 13, 2018, 06:17:41 pmBelgium and Nepal have very different cultures and standards what is a good time for what.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 06:41:34 pm
content: Life itself is incomplete project, which definitely is a good thing.

author: gibbled
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 06:51:53 pm
content: Have a look at this and see if it helps the world make more sense...

author: CNe7532294
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 08:01:28 pm
content: Quote from: BrianHG on February 13, 2018, 05:33:29 pmNot to be rude or anything but I do take this very seriously. You might be right that we might be judging this wrong but you can also be wrong as well. Everyone is different and the times are most certainly different as well. Honestly we don't know MrOmnos personally enough to make a call (even if you've physically met the person). If you do make that call you own the outcome good and bad both legally (its very possible that we can be sued fyi) and/or personally. Another thing is that we're electronic enthusiasts or experts. Not psychological experts by any means. About my friend, she acted absolutely normal around a lot of people of various ages till we found out the next day she killed herself. We gave the usual advice and even stuck with her close till we thought she was "fine".Again I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful. I know you mean the best but we need to be very cautious about this. The way OP posted is kinda worrying. I don't mean to single you out either. Theres some bad advice from others on here like exercise. Nepal is a mountainous country. If your mind is on other things its very easy to have an accident.@MrOmnos go to your parents, tell them how you feel. They are the only people in the entire world who love and care about you the most. You are priority #1 to them no matter what. If its beyond their abilities then do seek real help. This blog isn't the place for real psychological help. We mean well with our help. There are some great people on here but our help can backfire in bad ways or not help at all. We can definitely help you with any electronics related problems though. That is what we do. Hope you feel better.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 09:14:49 pm
content: I'm willing to give you some of my problems if you need some of them to get motivatedBut to be serious for a minute, I think we all feel like that occasionally. The question is indeed how long it's been going on, if it's just a few days it might be time to go out and do something, if it's been lasting for a few weeks you should look into getting some help. If the latter is taboo in your country, there are usually online chats or telephone services ran by NGOs where you can have a talk with someone about how you've been feeling. Doesn't necessarily need to be your parents that you talk to, just go for someone you trust that can help you sort out your thoughts. And above all, don't forget to laugh! (Being too serious about everything ain't a good idea.)

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 10:27:03 pm
content: Lots of good advice to ‘cherry pick’ from in these replies but know this...You probably have ‘the knack’ - whether you like it or not, it will bite you again. You will suddenly see/hear/feel something that will hook you - an ‘I can do/fix that’ moment that will spin your wheels.In the short term, experience something you would not likely look at, it will be a distraction, but often leads to inspiration.E.g Not everyones idea of fun but I’ve just decided to service my old car instead of using a mechanic, which lead to this ...“Oil change for the Pajero this afternoon and notice the inspection cover is missing off the clutch housing... so, what the heck - I’ll design and 3D print my own.Fitted like a glove.Not too bad - if I do say so myself!Tech details: Printed in TPU with , used calipers to measure, Sketch Up to design, printed in 3 hours.”

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 10:45:02 pm
content: I have the same problem since I work in electronics, and had a hobby of more electronics I have taken up a few non electronics hobbies I enjoy when the solder state gets a little tiring. I prospect for gold (I live in California) I took up welding and fabrication, and that has been very handy, and found I have a knack for restoring cars. I want to do a few more then I may try a full electric restoration/conversion. I do have to spear my free time around wisely though, because there is not much of it to begin with. I will say this however. I did not have patience until the prospecting. Its the most Zen thing out there.

author: @rt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 05:28:19 am
content: At some point we lived to survive, and serve our Gods, and Human masters who represented those Gods.Despite out flaws we’ve generally come a long way from there.Your knowledge and influence is perpetuated by other people, otherwise knowledge couldn’t be recorded or taught,every generation would be starting from scratch, we’d have no industrial revolution, and you couldn’t have posted your message.I wonder how many people over all, made posting your message possible? How many thousands?From the development of soft core ferrite inductors in your computer, to software algorithms, laws and their formulas in software,understanding of RF for the wireless.... all of that in combination does seem to make any one element look rather small.

author: MrOmnos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 06:24:10 am
content: Thank You guys for your advice. It feels good to talk to like minded people with similar interest and get some good advice. I am a single guy so definitely not getting kids. Haha thanks for the suggestion tho. I live alone away from home and from my parents so sometimes I guess the loneliness gets me. I have several friends, I talk to them regularly, I hang out with them and have fun. I am always afraid I will never get anywhere in my country. There is no demand for electronics engineers here. So, there's always a fear I will end up a failure while most of my friends are leaving the country one by one and settling abroad. Some are doctors, some got accepted to ivy leagues etc. And I am happy for them but it also takes away my confidence sometimes. I don't even have good grades to apply for decent university abroad. It's like I am stuck here.But I guess I will have to find a way and do something by myself here in my country. Get back my shattered confidence and do something worth while for myself. Thank you very much.

author: @rt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 07:42:45 am
content: I’m 43 years old, saw little value in high school, and left for a job part way through my final year.Here I am now undertaking High school Maths B & English to qualify for entry for a technical Uni degree.My heart is in electronics, but I don’t anticipate any future in it in my country,so I’m looking in a crossover course with elements of Electronics and Computing.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 08:11:26 am
content: @MrOmnos, have you ever considered designing your own electronic gadget & run a small side business marketing and selling it?

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 10:32:30 am
content: @MrOmnos. Just a quick question. Have you spent a lot of time indoors lately, and had very little sun exposure? It's winter in Nepal now, right?There's a thing called seasonal disaffective disorder. In countries that get snow-bound and short daylight hours in winter, people suffer from this a lot. A few years ago the cause was found to be low vitamin D levels, due to no sun exposure. Vitamin D in humans is produced in the skin by UV light. Vitamin D is a critical metabolic regulator, with many influences in the immune system, calcium regulation, and perhaps significantly to you, mood. Vitamin D deficiency can cause severe depression.Simple ways to find out if that's your problem:- You can have a doctor do a vitamin D levels blood test.- Just get some sunlight. A few hours a day for a week can make a huge difference.- Buy vitamin D3 capsules, 1000 IU. Take at least 2 a day. Some vitamin C could be a good idea too.My experience in this: I have an unusual life-external-difficulty situation to which neither I nor anyone else aware of it (including lawyers, police, etc) have been able to find a solution. It's quite depressing. If I *don't* get enough vitamin D, the emotional result isn't very pleasant. Vitamin D definitely works to improve mood.Personally I find that just getting outside (hiking or whatever outdoors energetic activity you enjoy) also helps a lot.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 11:31:01 am
content: i agree, doing a easy-medium hike up a mountain can really refresh you, by yourself or with a friend.I really like mountains where the first half of the hike is forest and the second half has snow. Those are always nice. Bonus points if the top of the mountain is above cloud cover.

author: @rt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 01:28:18 pm
content: It sounds like you’re familiar with the illusion that you could walk across the cloud from one peak to another.Quote from: Psi on February 14, 2018, 11:31:01 am

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 01:47:11 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on February 14, 2018, 11:31:01 amALLthe points, if the mountain top is above the clouds, it's a full moon at night, and there are no other mountains.So far, only once in my life. I should try harder.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 01:57:02 pm
content: Quote from: MrOmnos on February 14, 2018, 06:24:10 amLook. If your country is not suitable for you, then change. I guess it is easier here in Europe, but if you are convinced then nothing is impossible. I am from East Europe, and I've been living here for 5 years. There are other forum members, who left their father/motherland and moved somewhere else. It shouldn't be "out of question".If it doesn't allow you a certain lifestyle, you don't have jobs, people are shooting at each other on the daily basis, or you don't feel safe, or politics heads in a way that you cannot get behind... You stand up and go. You are 25 years young, not married, don't own a house. Perfect time.Talk to the others, who left. If you ask them honestly, how they feel, they will tell you. They could tell, how much money do you need, how to prepare emotionally and in the head. Travel around. Going somewhere very different can totally change your world view."Wow, people can live their life like this. Wow, actually, I can live my life like this."

author: John Heath
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 02:16:31 pm
content: Quote from: MrOmnos on February 14, 2018, 06:24:10 amYou wanted help but what you ended up doing is helping myself and many others . You are the best

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 05:21:41 pm
content: Quote from: MrOmnos on February 14, 2018, 06:24:10 amTalk to your friends and learn from them, but don't compare yourself to them as if they're a universal standard. They live their lives, you live yours. Your paths will be different, will have to be different, but that doesn't mean that they have different values. Share happy moments with them, but don't live through them.Some of the most accomplished people feel empty inside. They achieve everything there is and are still wanting. Why do you think super rich people start charities, doing things that will further mankind instead of themselves? That's because social and financial success isn't everything.You'll need to figure out what's important to you. What makes you happy in life? It doesn't have to be what everyone thinks it is. Something as simply as taking care of someone else can be your driving force, or making something nice, or finding peace in a quiet place. Don't be fooled by others and what they want. Small dreams are dreams too and equally valid. It's your life.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 02:54:42 am
content: Quote from: MrOmnos on February 13, 2018, 12:46:49 pmI'm probably going to get banned for saying this, but it sounds like you need some female companyQuote from: TerraHertz on February 14, 2018, 10:32:30 amHow does that work with countries like the UK which are very far from the equator? Would we ever receive enough sunlight for vitamin D production here?

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 06:45:21 am
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on February 15, 2018, 02:54:42 amI'm not an expert on this. But do recall reading of studies which found people in Western societies are often vitamin D deficient. It used to be the medical establishment thought 'any amount enough to avoid getting Rickets' was fine. But it's now recognized that healthy vit-D levels are much higher than that. As a result, for westerners taking vit-D supplements was found widely beneficial, with statistical reductions across a wide variety of illnesses.Here's my collection of relevant links:http://everist.org/archives/links/__Vitamin_D_links.txthttp://everist.org/archives/links/__Vitamin_D_max.txt

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 06:57:59 am
content: Yep vitamin D is very beneficial and most people who work inside are quite low in it.It's not patentable so you won't find drug company's promoting the health benefits of taking D. There's no money to be made and there is money to be lost if people have less health issues needing medication.Do your own research it's quite interesting

author: MrOmnos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 02:01:02 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on February 14, 2018, 05:21:41 pmThat helped alot. Thankyou!!

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 06:06:08 pm
content: I get this when i feel that there is someone mimicing me or if there is an off the shel solution to what im doing. It is often fruitful to find reasons why your work is unique

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 06:35:09 pm
content: Yep vitamin D is a big one at this time of year, well most of winter really. Days are too short so if you work you don't see daylight at all for days since it's dark when you go to work and dark when you get home. At least for me that's how it is. I can go a week without seeing daylight. So try to take vitamin D supplements. Interestingly, red heads like me do produce vitamin D more effectively, or so I read anyway. I still take supplements though as not seeing any daylight I won't produce much either way.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 06:54:12 pm
content: Its funny as although I live in a very northerly latitude like you Red Squirrel, vitamin D supplements are not very popular around here. I think we just have a culture here of putting up and shutting up.

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 11:24:52 pm
content: I think it's probably best to seek professional help if one doesn't find comfort talking with relatives about this. But here are my 2 cents:I think everyone has ups and downs. Sometimes playing some games or watching mindless shit on TV is fine for a week. I am sure that for most it will get better by then.After a short time off, I usually get the spirit of creating or learning something new again, and I get back into my rhythm. Just remember that your energy source is not infinite..However, sometimes this isn't always enough. Sometimes you just need to give time to other things in life, as those are equally important.From personal experience, I did learn a few dangers in being "busy" with engineering all the time.Look, a doctor/psychologist will probably say that finding distractions is good while feeling a bit down or bored. And I agree.. But it can also mean that other things in life won't get any progress. These can be things in social life, maybe moving out, or processing emotions from the past. Sometimes it can take some digging to get to the roots of your desires and feelings, and what is stopping you in living up to that, especially if you're busy all the time. Now I'm not saying that this is the case for you; but that can be hard to judge, even on your self. This is where a psychologist and talking can help out, but I can imagine this could be a bit of step.Furthermore, don't put all your eggs in 1 basket! During my early 20s, I used to be doing electronics & software all day; for my education, at home, etc. In college I was doing great, I felt like I was 2 steps ahead of most classmates. But when you forcibly need to pause your hobbies for a while, the constant busy-work made room for a very apparent large void.That's why I would advise to try develop other interests or activities. Not just as a distraction now (as mentioned), but also long-term. It's all about balance. Try to find a sport you can pick up and find enjoyable. Go out for a (long) walk everyday.Lookaround in nature; e.g. I personally like amateur photography (just using my smartphone), because it really forces you to think about what you see. Pick up reading books, or try writing poetry. Listen to new music that you can fully enjoy. Go visit a concert. Etcetera.There are so many things to do without touching a soldering iron or a piece of code.Despite being a perfectionist, I feel like things outside of engineering have to be much less perfect, which makes things much simpler

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 11:26:31 pm
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on February 15, 2018, 06:54:12 pmAlcohol is the trademark antidepressant of the UK. And no it doesn't work!I get pretty miserable in the winter too. Might buy some vitamin D and see what happens. Probably very expensive piss generated.

author: imidis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 11:53:27 pm
content: If it makes you feel better I have no IRL friends (besides family) and can harldly manage do anything productive anymore due to circumstances. I get pretty depressed thinking about things, but luckily I'm canadian!I really need a dog.

author: Marvo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2018, 12:07:51 am
content: I think there's a big difference between not having motivation and being depressed.You're obviously not getting motivated by necessity because you don't have any needs. You have food, lodgings, internet access, several hundred TV channels on tap and probably some spending money should you need it all laid on without any input being required from you (I'm guessing) so the only thing that's going to motivate you is finding a challenge that you enjoy.You're really lucky, it took decades in the rat race before I was in a position to focus on doing things I enjoyed rather than things I had to out of necessity. I also have days I don't feel like working and I just fuel up the bike and go ride for a couple of days.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2018, 12:29:25 am
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 15, 2018, 11:26:31 pmShop online to get an idea of price range first. If you just walk into a random chemist shop you can pay ridiculous $ for them. But there are quite cheap sources. Most recent lot I bought (in a chemist) were AUD12 for 250 capsules, 1000 IU. At 2 per day that lasts a long time. But I've had much better prices than that.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2018, 03:48:27 am
content: So vitamin D tablets can really help? I just find it so weird that not many people seem to take them here, I asked a family remember and they replied with "sounds like american rubbish". No offence to any Americans but that's the response I got.Can't believe this stiff upper lip stuff still prevails in 2018.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2018, 06:17:05 am
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 15, 2018, 11:26:31 pmVitamin D (liquid form) and curcumin root (fresh root not powder) are useful for depressionhttp://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(16)30675-2/fulltext

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 05:04:58 pm
content: I seem to recall there was a recent study published in a non-quack journal that suggested some original research in vitamin D that determined the recommended daily intake was off by a significant factor (like 8-12x too low).Only on mobile, so can't look it up easily right now, but it seemed legit at the time I read it.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 11:57:30 pm
content: It makes sense. Over the counter medications here are very weak, i usually take 2 Super Strength tablets of Tylenol in order to feel any effect. Regular Strength i am not sure for whom, perhaps for infants..?

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 01:07:38 am
content: SAM-e5-HTP

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 08:35:16 am
content: Fug man, I know this feeling, and thinking about it what others said is pretty helpful for getting past it. Try doing something different to take a break, binge on a TV series or a youtube channel, play a computer game, build a shelf, go for a camping trip...I recall being tired of engineering not long ago, and my break was watching Better Call Saul and 3D printing a robocop gun ;^)Also as others have said body chemistry plays a big role with depression, are you sure you are getting all the vitamins you need, or have an abundance of others? I can tell you that having too little/much iron is a big factor with mental health, so my advice is to get a blood test and see if your levels are within average. For example having too much iron might mean you have hemochromatosis and this is a thing you need to get under control as soon as possible otherwise you will go through waves of depression without knowing why.EDIT: It's really good that this sort of stuff is being talked about, typically you don't hear much about mental health problems in engineering

author: IanMacdonald
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:29:50 am
content: It's something foisted upon us by our culture, especially in school, that we have to be doing something ALL of the time.Try meditation. Works wonders for dispelling that notion, and for focusing the mind on the task in hand.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:36:07 am
content: Well I just tried vitamin D3 tablets and so far all it did was give me a headache and make my mouth taste weird the next day, I must be one sick puppy.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:51:44 am
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on February 23, 2018, 10:36:07 amI doubt vitamin D3 would help the OP. He lives in south Asia, probably high up, where there's plenty of UV, even at this time of year!Quote from: Marvo on February 16, 2018, 12:07:51 amTrue, but lack of motivation is a very common symptom of depression. Please read the first post again. The parts in bold are very strong indicators of a depressive disorder.Quote from: MrOmnos on February 13, 2018, 12:46:49 pmAs others have said, if this happens occasionally, this is normal, but if it's a weekly occurrence, then seek help.Quote from: Mr. Scram on February 13, 2018, 06:26:40 pmIt's also a very bad idea if one is depressed. Moving out will not solve the problem and if you're going to be living on your own, then it will certainly make it worse!

author: Galenbo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 12:58:57 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 15, 2018, 11:26:31 pmIt surely is a good solution against boredom.I always have a lot of new problems after a good night full of alcohol.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 01:14:16 pm
content: Quote from: Galenbo on February 23, 2018, 12:58:57 pmhttps://youtu.be/hUVwR0rw5fk

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 05:33:54 pm
content: Quote from: Galenbo on February 23, 2018, 12:58:57 pmMy latest blood test came back with low Vitamin D (well, it is winter in the UK!) and I've been told to take supplements. Apart from any other factors, Vitamin D is important for facilitating Calcium uptake into the bones - particularly important for those with underlying health conditions or advancing years.BTW, Alcohol consumption reduces Vitamin D uptake.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 05:39:21 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on February 23, 2018, 05:33:54 pmDried prunes are great for bone strength but next to no one knows ithttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409740/pdf/nutrients-09-00401.pdf

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 06:52:15 pm
content: I think the OP is not interested a long winded discussion of vitamin D. He or She have a self doubt as we all have at times. I can tell from my personal experience that it sucks, but it doesn't kill you as you are the one in control. For me the thing were to just enjoy the small everyday joys, some weeks I miserably failed, but in the long run I wouldn't give away a day. Which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 07:59:40 pm
content: Quote from: Vtile on February 23, 2018, 06:52:15 pmSome level of self doubt is normal, but going by the first post, it appears to be much more than that: "I have no purpose.", "if I were to disappear today, it wouldn't matter.", "The world doesn't care. No one cares.". That negative pattern of thinking is more than self-doubt, especially if it's gone on for longer than a week or so, it's depression and it can kill, which is why it's important to seek help.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:06:57 pm
content: Fyi. Help, yes if it is someone that can helpyouto reprogram your head. Unfortunately in the western societies the only thing you could get from official "help" is prescription for some heroin derivative, when you painted your living room with a wrong color. Next seven years you spend in the rehab. Week Pff.. that time is not even a worth to mention in a persons lifeI could have written the OP post say like late teens or OPs age, nothing special OP just need to find his thing what ever it is, be it something trivial or something high flying.The truth is your life is for you, no one really cares how you spend it. Parents or close persons do care, but they have their vision at how your life should look like. It is double edged sword depending ones personality. There is no standard what is a good life, spend it how ever you feel satisfied, even if it seems worthless from others biased viewpoints.For me personally I would only feel satisfied in intellectual viewpoint when I know everything, including the meaning of the life. I'm rather satisfied for my living today when I finally realized (..or admitted to my self) that I couldn't ever know everything. That is what I know, I can not know everything.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:57:58 pm
content: Quote from: Vtile on February 23, 2018, 10:06:57 pmWhat the fuck? Being pissed of for painting your living room the wrong colour is not depression, but normal. Any doctor prescribing drugs for that should be struck off.And heroin derivatives aren't used to treat for depression. Opioids have been used in the past as antidepressants, but that stopped in developed countries, a long time ago.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 11:08:47 pm
content: Well it happens. Week is not time period and heroin is a opioid derivative.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 12:52:38 am
content: So, to throw a curve ball.What is a good way of recovering from the following:The small-medium company you worked for, for many years, got taken over by a large corporation, all of your companies products were being pulled from the shelves, you were basically being kept on (as well as 90% of the other staff) to please the bean counters and show a high number of "VIPs" that the company is "well staffed" but the work has dried up, to the point where you sit and watch videos all day and nobody cares because they are all doing the same.Suddenly, after a year or so of this monotonous rubbish, you either get another job, or some work comes your way by some miracle, and you suddenly find you can't be arsed to do the work, because you have been used to not doing anything for so long, you have no motivation.This may sound like a harsh case study, but some variants of the above does happen and I am interested to see how people would go about regaining their motivation.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 09:26:28 am
content: some of my personal views on motivation:- don't stop the child in you:*Be curious, interested, amazed at new things, other tech, whatever.*keep dreaming as long as you don't demand it becomes reality it can be very nice, and who knowssome day it might become reality*Have and keep having fun, as long as it cause no harm to others ofcourse.- perspective: keep the focus to yourself. Comparing to others, envy, jealousy are bad they lead to negative energy. Jealousy can be positive though, if you find someone you lookup to, like a mentor for instance and use this to develop your skills accordingly that is positive.For the last point, you don't have to be the best in the world, or the best in anything at all. Chance is now 1:7000000000. Looking at the olympics, only three people from a certain sport get a medal, but the others they are still great athletes, the best from their country, does that mean their 15 year training and lifeadjustments were wasted? No they did what they like and felt good about, to an extreme I would not suggest but to make the point.Nowadays for the new generations it becomes harder to be themselves. Short deviation, if a 18yr old male wanted a partner in the farmer village in the medieval times there were perhaps 5 potentially suitable candidates available. Nowadays the whole world is on the map. I read that underage children getting cosmetically surgery because they think they are ugly. Ugly? They were beautiful but they only saw 10s of other girls on facebook each day that they thought were prettier. What are those parents thinking?That is why unless you like "competition" you should not compare to others, it will only frustrate you.So in short: pursue your interests balanced with work/life , have fun, share with people your interests (club, fora etc.)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 05:03:23 pm
content: Quote from: Vtile on February 23, 2018, 11:08:47 pmPlease do some research into basic pharmacology before commenting. There's no such thing as an opioid derivative. Opioids are a class of drugs and heroin is one of them.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 06:52:19 pm
content: Update on my vitamin D3 experience: It seems to be working, I started taking it in the mornings instead of tea time and I do feel a bit better.Of-course the sun is slowly getting stronger so that could explain it too.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 10:24:54 pm
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on February 25, 2018, 06:52:19 pmOr it's the good ol' placebo effect. Not that's a problem. If it works, it works.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 11:02:29 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on February 13, 2018, 05:14:50 pmThis.Look, if a person really wants to have kids I'm not going to try to convince them not to, but I've seen people have kids to try to fix their broken life/marriage/relationship and it only makes things worse. If you want kids then by all means have them, but take care of yourself and reach a reasonable degree of stability and independence in your own life before you create new lives.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 01:48:03 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on February 25, 2018, 10:24:54 pmWell my levels were pretty low anyway so they can't be hurting anything, March is almost here and I can feel the sun getting more and more powerful each day.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 02:43:01 pm
content: Don't forget about the (lack of) blue-ish sunlight, there are special lamps for winterdepression with proven effect. I myself have less problems with getting out of bed in the winter now I have a bedclock that makes an increasing amount if light starting a half hour before the buzzer goes.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2018, 12:15:09 am
content: Quote from: Kjelt on February 27, 2018, 02:43:01 pmat one point I put up a big work light on a timer, hard enough to get up in the morning being pitch black out side doesn't help

author: RandallMcRee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2018, 12:34:48 am
content: Vitamin D is hardly a placebo. I have a prescription for it from my doctor! And I'm in sunny California.Come on folks! Vitamins are real and have real effects!Better living through chemistry.

author: Inverted18650
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2018, 01:06:50 am
content: Note: I have not read the comments, just the original post.I am an disabled American vet who battles, among other issues, severe depression. I left active duty early in 2016 and have been bored out of my mind ever since. I went back to school to finish my EE degree (I started working on it years ago and in-between field problems/ deployments) because I always loved tinkering. Anyway, I have bouts like you described in your original post all the damn time. They can last a couple weeks and come on out of the blue. Granted, many of my issues are directly combat related, the treatment I receive is not unlike treatment that many other depressed people or, other normal citizens, receive from their 'head-docs'. It wasn't working and I had to find a way to make myself focus on the task at hand or to stay motivated enough to see a project through.One of the things I tried:In June of last year, I decided to film some of my projects and create a YT channel. It helped me a lot. I found the experience to be mostly positive. Otherwise boring projects had taken on a new perspective. I couldnt just blunder through the work, I had to communicate what I was doing and why to the camera. I could also choose to interact with the viewers and try and help them (those I can anyway) or not reply to comments at all. I could explore their ideas and topics which often lead me to a new an exciting project.For instance:Right now I am learning LabView and how to automate testing procedures for the Keithely 2000 DMM. Why? Well, since used units are "affordable" now for hobbyist, I bought a few on eBay and because when I google "Labview with Keithley 2000" and clicked on the videos link, there were hardly any quality resources. So, once I get a better understanding of it all, I will film the videos and make a series about the topic to help other people, like me, who want to try something new but wouldn't know where to start...and I started the channel playing with recycled 18650 li-ion battery packs...quite a leap.Note 2:If you are in a position where you cannot film the projects, you can pretend you are. Talk though the work and see if you think someone else would benefit from it. If the answer is yes, at least your mind stays busy while you are working, even though you can't actually share it. I talk to myself a lot anyway...I still succumb to the desire to lay in bed and do nothing, but much less now than I used too. When I get that feeling, I try to remember that I believe information is the greatest resource we have. The desire to share what I have learned, hoping it may help just one person, goes along way for me. There are brilliant minds on this forum and its a real shame that when they die, they will take all their knowledge with them, because they never took the time to share it.My two cents...hope you feel better and remember, the sun will come out tomorrow.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 05:01:24 pm
content: Quote from: RandallMcRee on February 28, 2018, 12:34:48 amA doctor prescribed drug is not only generally more potent than over the counter stuff, but also prescribed by an expert. The potential difference seems pretty obvious. A lamps burns kerosene with the aid of oxygen. A rocket engine burns kerosene with the aid of oxygen. Yet your lamp is not a rocket engine.Mind you, I'm not saying taking vitamin D can't work or doesn't work. It's just the self rapporting after self prescribing I'm wary of, regardless of who it is and what you take.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 08:04:20 pm
content: Let's not forget that vitamin deficiencies are real and can be measured via blood work. I suffer from vitamin D deficiency and take supplements to correct. Symptoms for me are hand tremors. Vitamin D supplements corrected problem.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 08:23:51 pm
content: Quote from: steverino on March 02, 2018, 08:04:20 pmI don't think anyone said vitamin deficiencies aren't real.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 09:53:05 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on March 02, 2018, 05:01:24 pmIn this case, oerhaps taking vitamin D acted as a placebo, or maybe they really did have a deficiency and it wasn't a placebo?You don't know without talking blood tests, so it's impossible to know by reading someone's posts on the Internet, whether it's placebo or real.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 10:23:10 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on March 02, 2018, 09:53:05 pmExactly, you don't know.

author: theleakydiode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 01:04:21 am
content: I was advised to take it by my GP after the usual routine checkup, and since we have the NHS they wouldn't give out this sort of thing if it didn't work.

author: FrankE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 02:14:17 am
content: This can be a very solitary and consuming endeavour - IF you let it be.Are you getting exercise, socialising, engaging with others, meeting MOTOS/SS/whatever? It's good to have a variety of activities on your plate, some regular, some spontaneous, some solitary, some with others, some gekky, some less so. If you have to juggle some all the better.Broadening experiences and horizons can help and scheduled activities can stop thing getting chaotic.Changing one's daily activity schedule can help, eg playing uplifting music in the morning to help you out of bed and get you on your way.Living with the 'rental units I've found can be very demotivating and it's often socially frowned upon, sometimes quite angrily so. I cared for my late dad who had a number of late and EOL health issues and couldn't have friends round, let alone women. The same for my late mum in her EOL.You needn't do electronics on your own. There are hackspaces and makespaces all over.I was at one for a year and a half and achieved naff all but it was fun.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 09:08:46 pm
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on March 03, 2018, 01:04:21 amIt's quite likely the symptoms you had matched vitamin D deficiency so the doctor recommended it. If you have darker coloured skin then it's likely the doctor would routinely recommend taking vitamin D between November and March.I also dispute the part about the NHS not giving out medications which won't help: doctors routinely prescribe antibiotics, to patents who won't benefit from them and will just suffer from side effects and increase antibiotic resistance.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 10:25:08 pm
content: Yes I’ve got a massive stockpile of antibiotics which I didn’t take! Tummy ache? Antibiotics! Dislocated shoulder. Antibiotics! Tinnitus? Antibiotics! I know when to take them and that is rarely if ever but I’m bloody well snagging them as I have a prescription fee exemption

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 10:43:03 pm
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on March 03, 2018, 01:04:21 amWhy do people pretend I said vitamin D isn't useful? I'm not saying vitamins don't work or anything remotely similar. I'm just careful of what self medicating people report.The fact that plenty of people are reporting that homoeopathy is working for them is enough reason to be careful of whatever people self report. Just to make sure nobody misunderstands me, I'm not comparing vitamins to homoeopathy.

author: sony mavica
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 12:58:26 am
content: this sounds like me kind oftheses day I can't really find anything I would enjoy doing or any places worth my time going tooI do have things l kind of enjoy doing but like after a little while I get board of it most of the time I'm just home on my computer but I do try and make myself get out of the house for a while I walk about 2km a day two get my nephew from school and i work 2 days a week other then that I'm mostly on my pc doing survys and other things like that on like to make money on a dozen different websiteseverything is just boring these days

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 01:00:31 am
content: The overuse of antibiotics is a serious problem that can and will affect all of us eventually. Many antibiotics that were effective in the past simply no longer work against the bacteria that are out there today and there is only so far we can go before we'll have to try a completely different approach. Everyone expects a pill but antibiotics should only be taken when there is strong reason to believe that a *bacterial* infection is likely.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 01:35:33 am
content: Quote from: james_s on March 04, 2018, 01:00:31 amIn an increasing number of cases, antibiotics actively hurt the patient by wiping out good and necessary bacteria too. In some countries the use of antibiotics is completely off the rails. When we finally run out of working options we'll be back to a few hundred years ago, except that it's now a disaster of our own making. If we would have shown more restraint, we might never have run into issues.It's not just human healthcare either. In some places livestock is preventively medicated with antibiotics, so more animals can be held in the same area. That's just flying too closely to the sun.

author: FrankE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 06:47:22 am
content: Quote from: theleakydiode on February 25, 2018, 06:52:19 pmA,D,E, and K are fat soluble Bioavailability is improved by taking with a meal with fats. .

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 08:16:39 am
content: Bacon sandwich is recommended

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2018, 05:38:44 am
content: This may not be the place to talk about this, but I feel my story might help others who may not realize what they are going through. I had previously posted in this thread saying I was kind of feeling the same way, and mentioned vitamin D. Depression also got mentioned by others. I kind of gave it some thought but brushed it off.Well for me anyway, it turns out it was depression slowly setting in. A few days ago, I started to feel sad for no apartment reason. Also completely lost motivation to do anything. At least with my ongoing lack of motivation I had SOME just not a lot. 2nd day was worse. I was starting to wonder if something is really up. I was in a really dark place. Felt like nothing had meaning, nothing was fun or satisfying. Not even simple things like watching TV or playing video games. I wanted nothing. I went to bed hoping it would just go away, but I felt anxious and butterflies in my stomach and that throat feeling when you're sad. By morning (Wednesday) I was considering checking myself in to the MHU. It was bad. My sense of purpose was just gone and I was just filled with unexplainable sadness and grief. I called my mom, I just had to talk to someone. I told her how I felt, and that I think I'm having a depression. We talked for a while and she helped me feel better, and she told me I should just go for a walk. Yeah it's cold out, but just do it.Long story short because I've become complacent with my job, and love my night shifts, and generally love going to bed late and sleeping in, it just caught up with me. I never get sun light, and don't socialize much. Always just doing the same thing over and over. So I went for that walk, then my mom came to visit me for a while, and then I went for another walk. When I got back from the walk I did a few things around the house that needed to be done. I then went to visit my mom and my dad was now done work and stayed over with them for a while. At some point I started to feel better but it was up and down. I was debating on even just sleeping over to my parents' as they offered, but I wanted to try to power through this so went home, took two tylenols and slept well.Also, Vitamin D tablets don't replace the vitamin D you get from the sun. They will help for things like bone and dental health so it's still good to take them, but they don't help with the mental aspect. So for anyone feeling this way, your first step is to really try to get some sun every day. For a red head like me, I don't even need that long, like 15 minutes maybe? (there's not really any 100% answer as it depends on lot of factors like latitude and atmospheric conditions) But try to get more. Myself I will make it a case to go for a walk around the block every day. Who cares if it's freezing, once you start it's not that bad. I also need to stop going to bed so late on my days off because I end up getting late and miss out on day light. Need to do things out of the house, and go visit people more, like my grandparents and parents. And friends. And if I don't do any plans I need to at least set goals for each day so I accomplish something rewarding. Need to try to do more than just be on the computer.You do not want to fall in the dark place I fell in recently. Honestly if I had been in that place for any longer I think I would have started to feel suicidal. I really feel bad for anyone that has to suffer this chronically, especially those who do so in silence. The best thing to do is to talk to someone, whether it's family, friends, or a counselor. I have a Dr. appointment next week, just for a general checkup as I had been wanting to take better care of my health even before this hit, but I will mention this incident to my doctor too. I feel good now that I talked to my parents but I can't just ignore it and continue living the same life. Need to shake some things up. One thing I did do is decide to not work as many night shifts, going to ask to just be put back on normal rotation. I worked lot of nights since I enjoyed them, not realizing it was messing with my health. What I got is most likely Seasonal Affective Disorder. Google that and see if you hit all the checkboxes, because I do, or at least did. Now I know what I need to fix it and sunlight and socializing is the two main things.I just thought I would share my experience with depression. I think it may help a people here who may not realize they are suffering it, we are all geeks who probably spend too much time indoors, and always working our brains. Sometimes you need to shut down and just go for a walk outside no matter how cold it is. Winter is the worse time for this because you don't really want to spend more time outside than you have to and there is a very short window of opportunity to get day light.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2018, 10:58:34 pm
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on March 24, 2018, 05:38:44 amI'm glad to hear you were able to pull out of that. Of all the troubles I've ever had, depression is the worst. Hardest to deal with too, because you don't feel like even trying.One point. Vitamin D3 in capsules is the same as your body produces via sunlight in the skin. And it has the same effect on mental state as from sunlight exposure.But, when you are outdoors, getting exercise and social contact, those are additional strong benefits. Things that are also essential to well being. Just taking D3 in capsules doesn't give you those, so it's easy to conclude it 'isn't working.'One other point. Any time you take antibiotics (which kill the normal gut bacterial population, essential for health), one should wait a few days after completing the course (till the antibiotics are all gone), then take a series of those live bacteria fermented milk drinks. Here in Oz one brand is called Yakult. But they all do the trick. Re-establish your gut bacteria in a healthy form. If you don't you risk ending up with 'wrong kind', and that can be bad too.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 02:40:36 am
content: Good to know the tablets do help for that. Always had the impression they didn't. Been taking them a lot. I'm kind of on a rollercoaster right now. Been up and down. I just hope this is a one time episode and that it does not become chronic.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2018, 10:12:54 am
content: Vitamin D is absorbed quite slowly, it takes a few months to build up in your system.It's more a long term benefit than a short term one.1000-5000 IU a day seems to be what most people take when trying to get their level of D up to match the research.I think the recommended daily intake is ~600 IU5000 a day puts you up into the levels of D found in lifeguards, who are out in the sun all day.

author: Distelzombie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2018, 10:18:03 am
content: Oh interesting! I am also taking D3 since a few weeks. A doctor was recommending it to me. (While two others made fun of her later on) If you want to know more, from a more reputable source than your doctor, look at this:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4011048/

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2018, 04:44:32 pm
content: Also fun thing I learned through all this. There's two types of stimulation from light that the body needs. One is white/blue (sunlight) light absorbed through your eyes. This happens when you are outside, or can be simulated with a SAD light if you work in a windowless office like me, it does not create vitamin D but it still helps stimulate you. The other type is UVB light, this is absorbed by the skin and is how you get vitamin D. Gingers like me can absorb it more efficiently, but in winter (which is most of the year here) hardly no UVB actually makes it through the atmosphere due to the steep angle of the sun, so chances are even as a ginger I still need to take vitamin D tablets every day which I was not doing. In winter your skin is also mostly covered. Between parka, tuque, gloves etc, and beard, only like half my face is exposed, that's it.So long story short you need to take vitamin D supplements and to have daylight enter your eyes and that will help prevent seasonal depression. At least based on research I've been doing, this is not medical advice. Chronic depression is probably a whole different beast, not sure if it can be cured by light alone.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2018, 01:06:38 pm
content: FIRSTLY, mate, you REACHED OUT.... That is always the 1st step.You did however reach out 'here', when you may need 'professional' help.As obviously stated by most, here, we have all been through that, and especially when???...Through our YOUTH my friend. Body growth & hormones seem to be out of step with ourbrains, and where we 'think' fit into 'society'.... However, I will be a LITTLE harsh here mate :-)You are in Nepal, but with a relatively, if not more 'comfortable' family/parent/lifestyle as you say?MANY people are in horrendous situations, either due to poverty and/or abuse, and can't see thesense in living! Long ago, after a debilitating accident, I was left feeling VERY low on the 'scale'of being a 'Man', a 'father', a 'provider'...... My Doctor at the time asked me if I had contemplatedsuicide.... I thought a lot, and then answered.... "No... but I have been to a place in my head morethan once, where I can see why people that do it, do it...."There is a lot of the proverbial water under the bridge since then, however I went on to live a productive(although physically limited) life since then. YOU, my friend, have nothing but a talented, prosperousand loving life ahead of you, that SMACKS of not only knowledge, but Ability !!And in a matter of a year or two, YOU will look back & think..... "What was I worried about" !!!!!!So... OFF your BUTT matey.... and marvel at life !!!!!!

author: Distelzombie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2018, 04:22:57 pm
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on April 22, 2018, 01:06:38 pmI don't want to be rude, but you are ignorant. You seem to be unaware that the organic reasons for such feelings may leave one feeling even worse than you could. Those are not "Body growth and hormones", btw. These organic reasons don't care if you are poor or rich, can walk or not. They are there irregardless. If you have them, whatever they are FFS, you don't even know why you are feeling depressed. You have nothing to start! Don't make people down because they do not appear to have a good reason for feeling down all the time - and that is what I am reading here!Accidents are bad, don't get me wrong. At least you know why your shit hit the fan. That's calming or reassuring.I'm now already "a year or two" later, for example. I don't feel better, for example. Don't say such useless things! You have no idea who he is or what his problem is. This is an identical statement to "Well, why don't you just smile a little more?", aggravating!Actually I am about 10 years later - or five, if you discount the years without help. So, five years, huh? What changed? I feel worse. Right now I actually, genuinely hate everyone that is not family. Everyone and everything. (That's actually why "I don't want to be rude" was a lie, as you've probably figured out) It's a fucking disgusting feeling and I can't even do anything about it! Why? It's a side effect of getting rid of those fucking antidepressants. They didn't help me. I tried many different. But still I get them from my docs all the time: "Hm... maybe try these again, ok?" fucking clueless idiots! And no! I'm not in your third-world-USA. I am supposed to get good medical help!Only thing they do is make me dumb. I definitely feel a big boost after coming down from all the month of serotonin reuptake inhibitors. I'm not the only one who feels that way. There are many who describe this.BTW, ever thought about stem-cell implants? They repair even broken spinal cords. Partially.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 04:27:40 pm
content: Yep I can confirm when you have actual depression it does not necessarily need to be caused by a life factor. I'm happy with everything in my life yet I got it anyway. When you are actively undergoing depression you start to think more negatively but even then in my case I just did not understand why. I'm on meds now and getting psychiatric help and still fighting it. It's really messed up when it hits you. It comes and goes. Some days are good some are bad. I thought I was ok at first then got a relapse twice. It's a mix of depression and anxiety now. Anxiety because of anxiety. It's a snowball effect.Of course if anything in your life is not going well (death in the family, poverty, health, etc...) then I imagine it would amplify it even more, but I've gone through many deaths in the family before this started, and copped ok with it. Often it also runs in the family, and in my case that's what I've been told. Did not realize it till now. Thankfully now days there is starting to be more awareness and research on the subject and more help available. Anyone who feels this way needs to seek help asap, you can't let it build up inside and it's near impossible to fight alone.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2018, 12:10:14 pm
content: Quote from: Distelzombie on April 22, 2018, 04:22:57 pmEermmm... So sorry... 'Distelzombie' ?? (I'm slowly walking backwards now xx)I was not referring to YOU my friend, but the original Poster... And although of course neither 'I', (nor the majority/all?) of other commenters here are 'experts', that apart from explaining 'my' situation, I said nothing derogatory, offensive, or all encompassing, except to speak LIGHT-HEARTEDLY in a friendly manner from someone else who has 'been there'. With the hope that he 'sees' through that & understands. And hopefully DOES (as soon as possible) be at a place in 'his' head, when he can seek/find/have some new rewarding directions. It is THEN that 'we' are able to look back, and keep the future in perspective.'I' am also still on Antidepressants and sometimes it is still hard, but I make myself move on. And move on I have ! xxI now have a whole new life, in a new State, with a lovely lady, and although forced to Retire, 'I' still love to dabble with Electronics, Photography, Graphic Design, and Web-Dev just for fun & to keep the 'brain' active.... And my Partner & I find great enjoyment in playing music. (Piano/Organ/Guitar/Mandolin). I'm an old 'Folkie' and used to play with many like minded groups & locations.I hope WE all, (yourself included!) find and live out the peaceful lives we strived for, and now have.....

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 27, 2018, 07:52:02 pm
content: I've shied away from this post because of its personal nature and each individual is different. I won't go into my personal details except to say this issue has been lifelong for me (depression). I was reluctant to take antidepressants for years. Finally started them in 1998 and, for me, it has been a miracle drug (still). I know this isn't a universal solution and there are plenty of folks that don't respond to the meds. The other advice, which has been mentioned already, is not to keep things bottled up. Find someone, preferably experienced in mental health issues, to talk about the issue with. And finally, don't get stuck in a job you don't find satisfaction in. Making changes can be scary for some (me), but it's best for the psyche ultimately.

author: Distelzombie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2018, 08:16:37 pm
content: I just wanted to steam off, I guess. Sorry.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2018, 11:42:34 pm
content: No idea how much this will help but I just orderedUVB bulbsfrom Amazon. Will use them to get vitamin D in the winter (which is most of the year here). I figure a mix of supplements and "natural" way through skin might be best bet. I don't think I would need more than like 10m of exposure per day. Basically build an enclosure to focus it in one spot and shield my eyes/objects from it and stick my arm under. I would do one arm only so I can compare skin colour, if it changes (or in my case if I just get more freckles haha) it means I'm doing it too long.This research also got me kinda interested in the whole concept of light spectrum. Anyone know what kind of tool you need to measure that? The issue with buying stuff like this off Amazon is you don't really know what you're ACTUALLY getting, so it would be nice to test it. It needs to be UVB and not A since A actually cancels out the effects.

author: Distelzombie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 01:34:08 am
content: I wouldn't trust these bulbs. Who knows if they do emit UVC or not. They are not sold for humans, mind you.Also, it can damage your eyes if you have UVB shining in them all the time. That's why all the sunglasses, normal glasses and windows block it. So 10 minutes would be fine.I actually got one of these tanning devices from my grandma. It uses proper Philips fluorescent tubes, but six of them. They're really bright. :/You need a spectrograph, a spectrometer or a spectroscope. There are very cheap ones that you have to assemble yourself. They work quite good! I have one of these:https://www.grand-illusions.com/hand-spectroscope-kit-c2x21140017It's +/- 5nm. Those plastic-boxes for under 10$ you find on amazon are way worse, due to their big slit.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 02:10:59 am
content: Oh yeah would not want that bulb to hit my eyes. I would probably build a fixture around it so it it is very directional. Maybe even wear shades when using it, to be on the safe side. (diffused light from surfaces? Not sure if UV would bounce too though) Figure it's worth a shot. Though it will be kinda hard to know if it's even doing anything, as I'll be taking supplements too. So it's probably going to be placebo more than anything.Might check out those spectrometers, will they do UV too though or just visible light? Looks like it's basically using a prism inside?

author: Distelzombie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 04:19:14 pm
content: If you can see UV light with your eyes, yes they will also do UV.No, you need some sort of image capturing/processing device for that.......... ooh.... I just thought about something: If you coat the surface near the nm-scale with UV-fluorescent paint or use something flourescent, you can see the UV spectrum with it. But the scale doesn't go so far and maybe it isn't linear anymore, so you can't just add to it..I'll try and put something fluorescent in mine then take a picture. Could be cool! I got a 365nm led that definitely isn't visible usually.Here are some other photos I took with that spectrometer and my phone:(Translation:1. White, cold cathode tube light from a scanner2. LED-TV Backlight3. Energy-saving bulb4. White fluorescence with 405nm laser5. 365nm UV LED is without fluorescent material, just visible by the camera itself. I think it can't see down to 365nm though, given it looks more like a peak at 380nm, and you can't see it with your eyes either.)

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 05:34:53 pm
content: get rid of chinese electronics around the home to promote a cheerful atmospherehow a 0.02$ transistor has higher quality then a 30$ laser diode i will never know.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 11:47:46 pm
content: Those SAD lights are a ripoff, I had a boss who had one of those in her office and I looked at it, it's nothing more than a bog standard $3 Daylight 6500K CFL in a fancy housing.

author: Distelzombie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2018, 06:58:55 am
content: Quote from: james_s on April 28, 2018, 11:47:46 pmQuote from: CopperCone on April 28, 2018, 05:34:53 pmWhat are you both talking about? Nobody mentioned SAD or transistors.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2018, 03:18:39 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on April 28, 2018, 11:47:46 pmI ended up ordering one for at work a while back, waiting for it to arrive. I figure that at very least it uses the proper LEDs from a reliable source and is proven to be right spectrum, but yeah I wonder if simply using daylight bulbs around the house and office would have the same effect? I work in a NOC, it's very dark in here but when I'm alone I raise all the dimmers to the highest setting, I don't know why everyone likes it so dark. I can still see my computer monitors fine. If I can talk them into swapping all the bulbs for "daylight" I wonder if that would help. There's one equipment aisle in a room over where they installed a bunch of fixtures and they used daylight bulbs. I sometimes go stare at them for a bit, no idea of it helps or not. Lighting is more of a long term thing you have to keep up.At home I also want to add more lighting in my office/lab, right now I just have a lamp with a single CFL. Will probably install two T8 fixtures and use daylight bulbs. When I'm thinking of going to bed I'll turn it off and keep the lamp on only.

author: JoerTall
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 06:14:34 pm
content: Many people like to sit on social networks, watch videos, or flip through news feeds when they're not at work. But our brains are not resting at all during this time. They are still working.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 07:08:47 pm
content: Hey folks, anyone know what the scam is here?User registers a new account, picks a thread that's years old, and randomly posts something with no real content whatsoever. Who benefits, and how?

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 07:29:12 pm
content: My assumption would be getting the post count up a bit for whatever reason before starting with the scam links or whatever.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 07:58:33 pm
content: Could be a propaganda bot. I've noticed at least 3-4 new registered users this year necroposting generic opinions, often demoralizing, dividing, or other kinds of negativity.AI and machine learning are good enough nowadays, chat bots can make generic conversation without anybody noticing. It is very cheap to train chat bots then release lots of them all across the social media to spread whatever opinion one wishes to spread, and public opinion might eventually lean in that direction.This is just a hunch, so it might be wrong.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 08:03:43 pm
content: Priming the posts for edit with a spam link for sure. I reported this as soon as it showed up in the notifications.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 08:25:22 pm
content: It's noteworthy that the thread is very old.Either it has been picked randomly out of all threads on the forum (but why? wouldn't it be easier to use any current one?) or the spammer found it by searching for some keywords on the Internet. Maybe the goal is to post ads or propaganda somehow related to motivation / well being / whatever had been discussed here.I seem to recall similar situation where an old teardown of vaping device had been necrobumped by a spammer advertising vaping stuffOne trick sometimes used is to make an "innocent" post and fill it with spam a few days/weeks later when nobody watches anymore.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 08:28:59 pm
content: No, they always pick old threads. Current threads have too many eyes on them. And here he just looks like a clueless person posting something maybe related to the thread. In the past this would be ignored and was ignored many times. But just like extended car warranty calls, it gets too obvious over time.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 08:33:45 pm
content: That makes sense.But I also recall spammers who posted in current threads and in one case there was a guy advertising some Chinese PCB fab and shitting on the others who started several threads of his own and kept asking dumb and self-contradictory questions

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2022, 08:43:24 pm
content: Fortunately, we will never know.....