Ask HN: Burned out, depressed, cannot do anything

Try getting a little exercise to start, a simple walk helps your circulation, and it helps clear your mind.

Try to minimize distractions at work if you can. You need to focus as much as possible. Read the productivity part in the 4 Hour Work Week book.

If you do not have a great system in place to ensure you are not breaking stuff, try googling "kent beck 4 rules of simple design" its a good place to start.

As others have mentioned, it will be difficult to work your way out of this if you're working more than 60 hours a week.

I've seen quite a few employers who have health insurance that covers stress leave. You might qualify, since what you're experiencing is often the result of long term chronic stress.

How amenable your employer would be to this is another question - if they've seen what you're capable of,and they know how difficult it is to find a capable developer and bring them up to speed on the company's product, they might be open to giving you a month to recharge.

Even if it's not covered by insurance, perhaps an unpaid month off is something you could negotiate? Again, it's very dependent on the employer. I've seen it work, though - and in most cases, the employee almost didn't ask because they'd convinced themselves it would be impossible, but the employer didn't see it as a big deal.

I've been in the position you're in - where you're just staring at the screen, unsure of what to do next. I found it helpful to take steps to restore my creative abilities - I'd lost touch with them after spending years just focusing on code. Being great at writing code is useful when you know what to do, but all the programming skill in the world doesn't help when you can't envision what to do next.

I found The Artist's Way[1] helpful here. Some people like it, others don't. I suggest reading some reviews on Goodreads ahead of time to develop an understanding of whether or not it would be a good book for you. A newer book along the same lines with a slightly different approach is Let the Elephants Run[2].

At the end of the day, your approach to getting past burnout is going to be a personal one. Things that have worked for others may or may not work for you. Keep in mind that many of us have been where you are, and we've been able to work through it and become productive again. You can (and will), too.

Just remember that you didn't get into your current state over the course of a few days; it's been a long, slow grind that has worn you down over the course of years. That doesn't mean it'll take you years to get better, but it does probably mean it would be helpful to treat this as a recovery process that will start small and show progressive gains over time.

(Amazon links, but no affiliate codes or anything dodgy like that (: ) [1]https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary-ebook/dp... [2]https://www.amazon.com/Let-Elephants-Run-Creativity-Everythi...

I use a canary pad next to my mouse pad to help me stay focused. When the page is blank, I write down the next three things I need to do. As I am coding I add more things to the list. Not highly detailed, for example, "user profile page". Unless more detail is helpful. The point is the canary pad needs to be a tool to help focus, and not become the focus. When I get distracted, start staring, or get lost, I look at the pad. Don't use any software as a substitute, it needs to be pencil (or pen if you prefer) and paper. The kinesthetic feedback of writing is part of what helps learning and helps you stay focused. And here's the best part, I gamify the list by crossing out the completed task with a red pencil. It's so satisfying. And gives a strong visual account of my productivity. Ticking a checkbox doesn't remotely compare. When the page is full, rewrite the incomplete tasks on a fresh page and begin again. I know it sounds laborious but the rewriting connects you with what needs to be done. I usually rewrite once or twice a week.

It sounds to me like you get into a rush mode and get sloppy by forgetting to test the corner cases. The pad will help.

Since you mention feeling depressed, I'm also going to put this out there. It may or may not apply to you, and if it doesn't apply just skip right on past this. Does the use of alcohol or other drugs correlate with the intensity of your feelings of depression? I mention this because alcohol and a lot of drugs are depressants.

Depression can also be anger that is focused inwardly. In that case, find a way to express that anger externally. It may be messy at first, but the point is to get anger flowing in the opposite direction. From there you can refine how you express that anger externally. My journey with my anger-centric depression started with smashing things and then evolved into establishing healthy boundaries with the motherfuckers who were pissing me off, and also recognizing when I need to take responsibility for myself, my work, or my behavior.

And of course another cause of depression could be Neurochemical imbalance. I'd look at possible substance abuse issues and anger before seeing a shrink for antidepressants.

And take some time to enjoy your beautiful family.

Honestly if I were you I'd probably go for a long camping trip, like for a week or two. Or failing that, a vacation to some natural beautiful place.

Then cut down your hours. 40 hours a week is fine, and if someone tells you otherwise then explain to them that you're getting burned out and they'll get better productivity out of you if you work fewer hours.

Other than that, you need exercise, lots of natural light, a good diet, and lots of socialization opportunities.

highly recommend checking this site out: https://osmihelp.org/

and there's a forum devpressed.com I think is the address, the corporate firewall won't let me go to it for some reason though.