I am getting better at this as my depression improves. When I had my first MDD I was arriving at work at 10.00 am
Then all of last year when I had mild depression I would arrive around 9.00
Since a few months ago I've actually made it on time most of the days (my starting time is 8.30) and on rare ocassions I am maybe 15-20 min late, but must of the times I am on time, when it used to be the other way around.
I have not found a solution rather than going to bed earlier (it took a while to get used to this as I used to go to bed around 1.00 am or 2.00 am and these days I try to not stay awake later than 12.00), and forcing myself out of bed. I just keep telling myself that I have to do this for myself. I feel terrible when I am late, I feel irresponsible and lazy and weak and stressed, whereas if I arrive on time I have a good start to my day, I feel proud, responsible, like a grown up, I feel good. So I just keep reminding myself of these feelings. But is hard for sure!! I hope someone else comes around with more advice, I'd be very interested too...
Please tell me that someone has found a magic trick to accomplish this.. because I haven't!
I am happy to note that I started a temp job beginning of Feb - it looks like I could ride it out for a few months while I apply for better things. It's administrative work, and I find it a nice change to do something that doesn't require a lot of thought - especially since I started antidepressants early this year, and am starting to experience results (and side effects!).
I know I'm a good worker, but for the life of me, I'm not punctual! I haven't gotten in trouble for it yet, but I hate:
waking up with alarm
hitting snooze
going back to sleep
(repeat above 3-5x)
look at the clock
swear
bolt out of bed, get ready and out the door within 20 minutes
worry the whole way to work that I will get in trouble
How would CBT address this? I am more than aware of what I "should" do. Even if I go to bed early, I just sleep as long as I "can".
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My most successful attempt so far was to set up an alarm clock to play a radio station with my least favorite music. It got me out of bed no problem (!), but I would start the day in such a bad mood that I stopped that method!
