Procrastination And Ptsd

[Britt.f7]

I don't remember when I didn't procrastinate, so is it PTSD, I don't know. I don't think my mom was a procrastinator, and my sister doesn't seem to do it. I do see my children have the same trait. I'm sure that one was learned.

At work, I never procrastinated. I always was on top of my job to the best of my ability. Sabotaged myself in other ways there. However, school life, home life, I am a constant procrastinator. I start a lot of projects that I never finish. I started tree skirts for my siblings over 5 years ago. Every year, a few days before Christmas, I get them out to "finish" them. Never happens. The perfectionism part of me doesn't help.

"just do it" has never been my motto.

 

[Shellbell]

Mine is PTSD related, definitely. I was a perfectionist and a control freak and everything was organised, in it's place, clean, tidy. Bills were paid immediately, I checked the bank account every day etc. I was super-organized in work. In fact I think I was OCD.

Now, it's the opposite. It's like my PTSD brain just connot cope with it and so I put things off until I have no choice, and then deal with the anxiety of it.

But, the perfectionist part of me still wants to be the way I was, so the feelings of failure come in then, when I see how little I can now achieve.

 

[Abstract]

I am particularly bad in recent years since the bottom feel out PTS wise.

I literally feel like I am weighed down in concrete most of the time. I hate it and have to be careful that I control the self hatred it fuels as that then in turn fuels depressive symptoms which means more procrastination. :confused: The tougher I am with myself the worse it gets. If anyone comments it gets worse too.

And it has nothing to do with perfectionism (wanting to do things well or perfectly and therefore outing them off for fear of failure) as I now have that under control. I have tried every technique or approach. Nothing works and in fact most aggravate things.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

My problem, most frequently, is where to start...so I don't.

However, this morning, I woke up in a pi$$y mood and instead of throwing things...I am going to throw things away!! I am SO SICK of bitching at myself...it HAS to stop!!

Tonight, we put out the trash and my goal is to have as much as I can. I won't stop to organize, I'll just throw everything away that I do not need to keep (red-tape & Gov't paperwork).

I wonder what I would do with my time, if this battle was conquered!!!

 

[Trinomial]

Thanks for sharing, everyone.

I started exhibiting signs of ptsd when I was very young. Nightmares, insomnia, hopelessness, withdrawal, etc. I also started procrastinating around the same time. I'd put off homework and chores and didn't care about punishment. I had a burst in my early twenties where I was efficient, working & going to school, exercising, enjoying my interactions with people. Then I married and slumped right back into procrastinating about things. I think for me, it may be related to avoidance. I don't want people having high expectations of me if I do well. I guess I'm used to being worthless to my family, so it is in my comfort zone to maintain this introject version of myself when I have relations.

 

[KatB]

But, the perfectionist part of me still wants to be the way I was, so the feelings of failure come in then, when I see how little I can now achieve.

This resonates with me in so many ways. I agree. I feel exactly the same. I've always been the go-getter, nothing gets in my way and I don't care what you say type of person in my personal and professional life. Now, when I look back, its like 180. Perfectionism runs in the family, so I see how it applies to me.