Old Age

[jimedpear257]

I am 70 yrs. old and have suffered from anxiety and depression for 30+ yrs. I am having one of my worst episodes yet. Usually I can get better after 2 mos. , but this time it has been 5 mos. I wonder if age has anything to do with it. It is affecting my health. Taking Valium, Buspar and Effexor. Just started Valium. Anyone got any helpful tips.

[Kat63]

That’s a good area to look at - the effect of aging on mental health issues. I’m glad you have only had to deal with this for about 30 years. I think I’ve had anxiety and depression since early childhood, and I’m 55 now. And I believe I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life.

Well, people sometimes have to deal with things like diabetes or asthma their whole lives. I try to look at it that way.

[jimedpear257 in reply to Kat63]

Good perspective

[bonkers65]

I'm 66 and have suffered with anxiety/depression off and on most of my life. But I've noticed that the older I get I tend to be more sensitive to stress. I've always been a sensitive person though.

[jimedpear257 in reply to bonkers65]

Me too. I don't handle stress as well.

[Kat63 in reply to bonkers65]

I think some of it is a cumulative effect. All your life, bad stuff happens occasionally. I think after awhile, if you’ve been hurt too many times and had too many losses, you just can’t take anymore. In the past five years, I’ve had a lot of losses. I think I’m getting better. But I’m afraid I’ll never be completely strong and healthy again.

[newbie56]

Hi jimedpear257

This is my experience.

i'm 79 and remember lying in my grandmother's bed while my siblings and cousins were gleefully playing outside. I was 12 yrs old. I didn't know it was depression. It got worse in my teens. Married young , 4 children with horrific post-partum depression after my last baby which lasted almost 2 yrs. It was scary. I prayed & finally got relief.

But depression doesn't simply go away. It came to stay many times between age 30 to 50. About that time I went into menopause along with extremely high blood pressure & a woman doctor recommended Norvasc AND Zoloft.

I took that anti-depression med for several years and decided to get off because it no longer worked. Rather than increase the dose i tampered off and haven't used anything altho a good friend recommended Buspar.

It feels good to be free of medication & I'm grateful. Again prayer has helped me thru many difficulties. Aging is not without physical problems and there have been heartaches. Prayer. It works for me.

Agape and Hugs to you & all who suffer.

[Hidden in reply to newbie56]

I’m 66 and can relate to all of the above. Life just isn’t easy. I think in our “ golden years”(😏) we have more time to reflect on things and sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes not. I don’t like that my body is saying no to what my mind is saying “ yes sounds like fun”.

[jimedpear257 in reply to newbie56]

Thanks

[jimedpear257 in reply to newbie56]

I have been praying and believe God will answer.

[newbie56 in reply to jimedpear257]

jimedpear257,

GOD is qualified in every way because he understands the brain AND inclination of our heart. They are flawed. But He blesses all our efforts to be the best we can be in spite of our limitations.

Please continue to pray and be specific about your needs. Speak from your heart... Don't rush thru a conversation with Him. Linger a while.

We all need to listen as He speaks in answer to our prayers.

I believe you will make progress in your journey

Sincerely

[jimedpear257 in reply to newbie56]

God is my Rock right now.

[newbie56]

We make it fun

[onthetrail]

I'm headed into my 60's and feel like aging is making some things harder. Though I have less stress about many things (family, money), I do seem more sensitive to the stress I have. There are also more aches and pains and more health concerns than when I was younger. By contrast, I have to remember the positives now: I don't have to worry about putting food on the table or raising teenagers. I am wiser and have more experience with life's ups and downs. My expectations are more realistic. And I might be more appreciative of simple things like how the sun reflected off the trees this morning or my wife greeted me with a cheerful smile. Take care.

[jimedpear257 in reply to onthetrail]

Thanks