hi again

I just wonder how you people deal with your depression I'm 58 and loosing the plot is there an answer. please if you are a youngster don't write to me I would like to here from folks around my own age brian

[Sprinkle1]

Hello, I am 75 and have been sucked into one of the worst depressions I have experienced, it came along with a nasty anxiety attack. I have done the usual, crying, hiding in my house, not wanting to get out of bed. Forced myself to get up, but neglected myself, did not clean my teeth, did not take a shower, did not comb my hair, did not eat, lost some weight stayed frozen in my chair, could not watch TV or read. Relied on adult coloring books and word search books. and 2 good friends in Calif who propped me up and encouraged me. Along with l brother in England who called me and emailed me. Dr. got me on a new antidepressant that is supposed to be good for my system, she ran a test genesence, it is done by taking a swab in side ones cheek, sent to a lab, then they read it and send it back to the Dr. She has also added some meds for the anxiety. It is a slow hard process, I am improving, I have been cooking for myself and eating, freshening up my body, finding things to do, so I do not spend all day in my chair. I have lost track of how many of these episodes I have had, been going on all my life with breaks in between I hate them and at my age hope this is my last one. When I lived in Calif. I had a Psychiatrist, he took good care of me. I now have a Psych. nurse practitioner but unfortunately she was ill in Sept. ended up in ER, and has not been able to come back to work yet. Hopefully in Dec. I am improving but it is one day at a time, some days nothing, some times it seems like 1 day forward and 2 back. But I know it will end - just not soon enough for me. Sorry to say it can take months. We have to be Very kind and Very good to ourselves, no pushing ourselves to hard, no calling ourselves names, be very loving and kind like you would be with a child who is hurting. I hope this helps you, it is not real hopeful, but I am trying to tell you my truth, been going thru them since I was a teenager. Thankfully med's are improving and mental illness is recognized as just that finally - an illness. It is our neurotransmitters are messed up. There are 20 million in the US that suffer from this illness.

Makes me sad to think of all the pain and suffering going on out there. Do keep writing to us, we will help you all we can, we send you love and peace. From me Sprinkle 1 love/peace/hug.

[Windy101 in reply to Sprinkle1]

Sprinkle, you are so brave and an inspiration! You have every bit as much courage as a woman who has climbed a mountain or sailed around the world by herself. You have accomplished a great deal! You deserve a medal, and though you can't see it, I'm hanging one around your neck.

What a wonderful woman you are!

[gogogirl in reply to Windy101]

Join me in the medal ceremony as well.

[Sprinkle1 in reply to Windy101]

Hello you sweetheart, yes my life has been hard, I have battled many stresses in my life. I am a fighter. My battle right now is horrible Depression and stinking anxiety. And it is a fight. So gladly accept your medal. I in turn give you a medal for your courage and fortitude. I love your support and hope you will write again, I am all alone, no family or friends so I count you as a friend.

Be Good to Yourself Everyday. And know I and others here love You. Do something nice Everyday for yourself. And Accept love from me and Big Hugs.Sprinkle 1.

[Windy101 in reply to Sprinkle1]

Friends, that's us! Thank you so much for you kind reply. We're in this together all the way.

[Hidden]

How long has this been going on for..and can you please explain what plot?..

[Windy101]

Hi Brian, I am 60. I think depression can either get better or worse as we get older. Some of the meds we take for health conditions can cause depression. You might want to review those with your doc.

Do you have people in your life, a goal you are working toward that challenges you? I'm in school working on a master's degree, and it certainly keeps me on my feet. I can be depressed as he**, but as soon as I get in class it's wiped away.

I urge you to get something in your life that you care about: volunteering, a senior center, free classes at the library, whatever. Pick something that means something to you, even just a little.

You are a human being worthy of dignity, respect, and a life of some accomplishment and enjoyment, even if depression weighs you down. It gets the best of me more than I can say, but having a goal keeps me going.

I also have two cats. They are like family. In the times I care about nothing else, I know I have to stick around to take care of them. I wouldn't just leave them out there in the world, because no one would love them or care for them like I do.

Another thing: the home where you live. Is it cheerful? Does it express who you are? You can decorate a place very cheaply at thrift stores. If you haven't already, give it a try. Make it look like Brian. Put things around you that you like to see. If there is something ugly that bothers you, do what you can to transform it through paint or some kind of inexpensive decor. I can't emphasis enough how important this is. A dreary environment just reinforces depressed feelings.

Sometimes when I look back at my life, I see failures. That's my depression talking. There are times when my depression has made it impossible for me to do things I would have loved to do. It's made me miss opportunities, relationships, and financial gain. Basically, it sucks.

BUT-

For whatever reason, this is my fate. I didn't ask for it, I didn't bring it on myself. It's an illness. I've made it to age 60. I want to see how the rest turns out. When my depression lifts, I remember adventures and people I am so grateful for.

I just came back from visiting my mom in her assisted living facility. She is 88 and there are people there who are older. 58 is young. You don't know what's around the corner. Life is full of change and surprises.

You have been strong enough to make it this far. Join the rest of us more seasoned folks and let's see what happens in the years to come. We're more than halfway through, and we're all in it together. Please keep writing. We need your voice and experience!

[gogogirl]

Well, I am in my sixties and experience anxiety/depression also. I do not know what you mean by losing a plot. I used to think that at our ages , we shouldn't feel like this, but now I know I am not alone. Life can be tough, but also has many good moments as well. I have been getting outside more and exercising and that seems to help , but I know it is not a panacea. I hope that you have a support system closer to you. I am glad that I joined this site.

[gogogirl in reply to gogogirl]

May I add that I am glad that there are more "seasoned" folks joining as well. I sometimes look back at my life and think that I could have done more, then I look at my husband and dog and the phone calls from friends and they jolt me back to the present. I do have incredible guilt over certain choices from over a decade ago which I am working on now in therapy.