Maintaining a Daily Routine with Mental Illness is Difficult

As I was considering what topic to write about this week, my mind was drawing a blank.  I felt unmotivated and fatigued, like I didn’t have the energy needed to stick to my routine of posting an article every Monday.  I wanted to just forget about it but then I asked myself why it is so hard for me to stick to any kind of routine. 

For example, some days I am up and productive but on many others I am laying in bed a lot.  I don’t shower each day. I exercise sporadically. I clean my house when the mood strikes me. So I did some research and found that sticking to a routine can be challenging for individuals with mental illness due to several factors:

1. Symptoms: Conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can cause fluctuations in energy, motivation, and mood, making it difficult to maintain consistency.

2. Cognitive Challenges: Disorders such as ADHD and schizophrenia can affect concentration, memory, and organization, complicating routine adherence.

3. Medication Side Effects: Some medications used to treat mental illnesses can cause fatigue, drowsiness, or other side effects that interfere with daily activities.

4. Stress and Overwhelm: Managing symptoms and treatment can be overwhelming, making it hard to focus on a structured routine.

5. Lack of Support: Limited support from family, friends, or healthcare providers can make it harder to stick to routines and manage symptoms effectively.

My research advises that “individualized strategies, professional support, and self-compassion are crucial in developing and maintaining a routine.”  That is not so helpful, in my opinion, and I am wondering if you maintain a routine and what helps you do so?