Depression That Became Severe For First Time at Age of mid-50’s

[MJRM]

Has anyone here ever dealt well with lifelong depression, & then suddenly experienced severe depression in mid-life, or really any time later in their life?

I was a fully functioning human - mother, wife, sister, friend, employee - taking a single antidepressant with occasional dose or med changes, for decades. But following a traumatic event approx 4 yrs ago, and actually several years of significant losses (of health, of friends & sister to cancer, of my house, stuff like that), I have just fallen into the most serious depression of my life. Intermittently suicidal, unable to function or work, on disability, etc.

Has this happened to anyone else here? Do you have advice? Was it triggered by a particular stressor or more? How long did it last? Or is it still ongoing? We’re you able to resolve any triggers & did that help you recover? Sort of get back to baseline, so to speak? Advice & thoughts appreciated!

MJ

[Jauge]

Your really should check your thyroid levels. Very good chance this is the cause....

[MJRM in reply to Jauge]

Ah - wise advice. Smart thinking. But unfortunately I’ve already had my thyroid function testing completed approx every 6 months over the past 4 yrs, & it’s all been absolutely completely normal. But thank you!!

[Shnookie in reply to MJRM]

I’m Shnookie and almost 62. I was born depressed and with ADHD which was not officially diagnosed until a little after

my father’s death in 1997. There is a long history of mental health issues in my

mother’s family, my mother was hospitalized 2 or 3 times once b4 my

father’s death, and twice after. I was only the only one there 4 her. I lived with my mom for among other things financial

reasons. When I was 43 I had a melt down when I went cold turkey off my

meds because I couldn’t afford them

I went on TtD and returned to work in

a few weeks after my meds were adjusted from 2001-2016, my

mom’s death I was functional and this included instances of my mother being

hospitalized for lithium poisoning and going into a coma and the ultimate tragedy becoming my mother’s sole

caregiver during her battle with

devastating stage 4 pancreatic

Cancer from September 2014 thru early January 2016 It was a hellacious time even tho I was my mom’s best friend

It was definitely mind over matter fast forward to

November 2019, after my mom’s death went bereavement group, got a job, went out into the world reconnected with friends and made some new ones along the way I was a caregiver for elderly people with advanced dementia

and by 11/2019 and not being able

to obtain Haldol because It was off the market my depression became much worse and my ADHD had greatly worsened at the age of 61 I went on

and am still on TTD Disability I’m

Frenetically looking for a job because

my disability runs out in December

and this hellacious COVID combined with my cousin due to COVID not

Only pay a small portion of rent I m

so so sorry 😐 U R going thru this

Fortunately, i’ve Never been suicidal because too many people I’ve known have committed suicide including a close friend of mine and it scares the shit out of me I’m on Medi Cal but fortunately

I have a support group around me

I live in the Los Angeles area and thru

the mental health center, have my

shrink there is cognitive therapy

that I learned thru my social worker

U might want to try this it breaks down a potentially disturbing situation and makes it easier to deal with I also do deep breathing exercises which releases

some of my tension I also lay back and listen to

calming music I love for me it’s

Andrea Bocelli I then positively

visualize a pleasant situation I hope this helps a little I’m giving U a virtual

hug 🤗 I’m always here 4 U Shnookie

[Shnookie in reply to Shnookie]

It’s Shnookie. U can also reach out to NAMI mental health wellness group

and Golden Talk a place for people over 50

[Hidden]

Hey MJRM! I have been depressed since childhood. I am almost 40. Anyway, I think you can do anything that you put your mind to. I wonder if you can get a physical and make sure you are in top form. This is a problem I deal with health problems too and it's hard. Sometimes life changes and you have to adapt to keep up with it. I hope you get it figured out asap. I don't believe there is anything wrong with being on disability. I hope you feel better soon.

[Kangaroo_Alice]

OMG I have been going through the same thing! Mid 50’s, went through about fifteen (not a typo) major life changes/events in the past eight months alone. Moving out of state, leaving friends, looking for a job, starting a new job, selling a house, looking for and buying a house, the world shut down, a health scare...among other things. I also have been struggling with the worst depressive episode I have ever had. So scary. My head actually feels like it’s full of muck. No matter what I do, go, talk with, read, I can’t get away from it.

Chat with me anytime. I want you to feel much better.