Support and hope

[Sehk]

Was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2009 (aged 57) after I was extremely Bullied at work. I am divorced, and this was a job I trained for and attended school at night so that I could earn my living and take care of my teenage daughter.

Sure, I asked my supervisor and then HR for help. None came. My primary care physician whom I had been seeing for many years suggested that I go on FMLA, see a therapist, and quit my job.

I did all three and eventually I rented out rooms in my home (a nightmare) because I could not obtain a job even though I am educated and highly skilled. (Probably due to age discrimination.)

In any event, my daughter eventually graduated and is now supporting herself. I retired early at 62 a year ago.

My question: will I be rid of this disorder because I still live with it and its accompanying triggers almost daily even after these years.

Yes, I do mindfulness and breathing exercises. Also it helps when I am feeling very anxious and or depressed, I wonder if I will ever be rid of this condition.

Please let me know if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you most sincerely for your help and support.

Sehk

[Hidden]

Hi Sehk,

I understand how you are feeling. I'm not a doctor, but I will give you my two cents.

I have been struggling with depression and hypomania for many years, and I've accepted it. I finally know what I'm accepting! For many years I didn't know what I was dealing with, and now I'm pretty sure it's not going away. As I've said in a previous post, people called it lazy and weird (the nice way of saying it). I believe treatment will help me deal with this better. I am looking forward to a new normal. Yes, I do believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is light for all of us.

[Sehk in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for writing me, Delta. I like what you said about the new normal. I think that’s a good way of looking at my altered self. And that there is late for all of us. Thank you.

[Sehk in reply to Hidden]

Not “late” I meant light.

[Optimistic_22]

I think by changing your feelings on the whole thing.Just know people bully for many different reasons It might not of even been anything to do with you. Possibly they were jealous. You have to let go of your past move on so that you can have a better present and future. Life is short obtain hobbies. Things that you like doing little or big that make you happy. Whether it's reading a book drawing exercising going to art shows dancing. Yours may vary. And letting go of things you cannot change when you cannot control things do not give them the time of day. Life is short enjoy every day and make the best of it. Don't let anxiety take hold of you. You have the power.

[Sehk]

Thank you Optimistic. You truly are.

[jkl5500]

There definitely is light at the end of the tunnel, but not in the way you're hoping for. We can't erase pain that we've experienced. It's there. But we can get past it and move on, and the pain will recede and lose its sting.

All of us on this blog wish that we could wake up tomorrow and be rid of our conditions. But any doctor will tell you that it's not realistic. It's gaining control over them, and getting our lives back, that IS realistic. I hope you are keeping yourself busy in retirement through volunteering, hobbies, etc., and not just sitting around. Sitting around is asking for trouble with all the abuse you've been through.

It's a shame that you couldn't take legal action against the offenders at work. You put yourself through night school to better yourself, and then that happens.

[Sehk in reply to jkl5500]

Hello jkl5500,

Trying to keep myself busy, but there are times when things that used to give me enjoyment do not any longer. I would like to volunteer somewhere and help people, but I am often depressed and I don’t want my sadness to show through while helping others. It’s not fair to them.

Life has taught me that I can get past this and move on, and this site with kind people like you helps enormously in uplifting my spirit. Thank you

[Dubba61 in reply to Sehk]

Hello, You should volunteer Sehk, because you have much to offer. I do, and met many friends through it. lots of volunteers have Mental Health issues, so dont worry about appearing sad.. everyones Sad sometimes. Volunteering a couple of times a week gives you a focus, people who rely on you, and gets you out of the house. Good Luck. Dee

[jkl5500 in reply to Sehk]

Dubba61 is right. Think of volunteering as therapy for you, and a donation of time and effort for others. Depression makes it hard for us to "get out of our own heads" and get back into the world around us. We stay isolated and crushed, with those same old awful thoughts banging around in an echo chamber, and it perpetuates our illness.

Try volunteermatch.com , and look for something in your area. I used it to find something nice and simple (right up my alley), but necessary for a nearby organization. Just being around people in the real world will perk you up. And this antidepressant is free!

[Sehk in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you jkl5500. I will put your website to good use searching for the right volunteer job for me.

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Choosejoy]

I can only say for myself there are times it is under control and I feel really good. I have triggers that I am learning to deal with. I think it's God's way of keeping me close and I'm ok with that. I can go off and think I've got this and not make the best choices. I am better off when I seek His guidance and stick to His plan. I still wander sometimes not thinking. I come back pretty quick, ha! I like the comfort of staying close to Him.

[MandyBueno]

Hello! I understand how you feel, but as i could notice you are a Strong woman who's been facing battles, and these battles are triggers to our minds. Feeling down does not mean you are weak but the opposite, it only means that you have seen the dark side of Life. Keep on doing mindfulness and breathing exercises, i count on us 😘

[Sehk in reply to MandyBueno]

Thank you, Mandy. Mindfulness and breathing exercises. You are very kind.