Extreme boredom

[Sisyphe]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here.

I've always considered boredom to be a "mild emotion", unlike anger or happiness which can often be felt as "extreme". I think for most people boredom is like a background emotion. You feel it, but it's not overwhelming. But lately I've been having what I can only describe as boredom attacks. This overwhelming feeling that I want and need to do something, particularly something productive, but I just can't summon the will power to do anything. It's a terrible feeling. A minute feels like an hour. Unlike other descriptions of "extreme boredom" that I've read around the interwebs, I don't get that "stuck to the couch" feeling. I actually have a small increase in energy, I'll pace around my apartment, I'll try sitting, lying down, watching TV. I'm so agitated but at the same time my mind feels really cloudy. Like I can't decide what to do but I can't do nothing. When I've had these "episodes", I've either smoked weed or taken one of my boyfriend's valiums to calm down.

I think this is different than an anxiety/panic attack because I don't have any of the physical symptoms (fast breathing, heart palpitations, fear, etc.).

A little bit of background info: I'm 25, female, live in Canada. I graduated university about a year and a half ago. I've been at my first "adult job" about 10 months. It's pretty boring, I don't have a lot to do at work. Other than my boring job, my life is pretty dull. I do have a wonderful boyfriend with his fair share of psychological challenges. I definitely have some attachment and dependency issues though. I have been struggling with depression for the last little bit and have started seeing a therapist (only one session so far and didn't get the chance to mention the boredom thing). I'm fairly sure that my depression is not a chemical imbalance, because when I was in school and busy all the time, I didn't feel so down, unmotivated and hopeless. I think I just need to adjust to being an adult, find things that I enjoy doing in my free time instead of just watching TV all evening and dreading the next day.

Anyways, has anyone else experienced these kinds of extreme boredom attacks? Any comments would be very appreciated. Cheers.

[manuel_moe_g]

Hello Sisyphe, welcome to the forum!

I don't have any experience with "boredom attacks", but I do know that body chemistry can change radically in as little as 7 years time. I would consider professional help in seeing if treatment for depression might be helpful to you.

All the best, cheers!

[CBM89]

I know what you're talking about. I get them too. It's ok to feel that way, but I've always found a way to pull myself out of that spiral is to just face a blank page. Do something. I pull out a piece of paper and just free write or doodle. I always feel stupid and afraid and all these bad feelings come out, but just starting makes them go away quicker. And then sometimes you end up with an idea or a list of things to do or a drawing or whatever that makes you go "I made that." And then the weight lifts.

It's tough though. Just try not to spiral, even if you feel stupid pulling yourself out of it.