After 54 years of anxiety and panic disorder..

[Merid]

Now I'm trying to deal with overwhelming depression. I've been seeing a CBT therapist but his answers are pretty obvious: to increase social contacts (kinda hard during Covid and being 74 with no family other than my wife....it's not easy.) I still work at home but also being a caregiver to my disabled wife....there is little time or energy to take care of myself with something that might give me pleasure...though to be honest, very little gives me pleasure any more....I don't drink, smoke, nor enjoy eating (lost 100lbs 15 years ago ). Mostly joined this forum to see if others find this 'empty' feeling late in life too.

[Agora1]

Hi Merid, you know dear friend finding happiness and fulfillment doesn't have tobe about age but about gratitude and our reason for being here.

I have never drank, smoked or done drugs and yet each and every day I wake up

to the fact that I have another day to make a difference in my life and someone elses.

"me time" takes but a few minutes each day to meditate and take care of your emotional

health. When we don't, we go down a depressive hole where nothing seems to matter

any more. When we change our way of thinking to a more positive approach, life becomes

alive once more in knowing as long as we have a breath in us, there are many things we

can do that can give us joy.

Unless we try, we will not know and so we stay stuck in a cycle of despair.

I'm happy to Welcome you to this amazing forum. You will see that you are not alone

my friend. We are here to help each other one day at a time. xx

[samack]

Merid I know what you mean about CBT therapy. I guess we need to find a support system to keep us going with some self care I'm older too and its damn challenging. Regaining interests will help the emptiness. I've been depressed for quite awhile now so its hard to conjure up. We will get through this. You're still young yet.

[Hidden]

Hello. Yes, listen to Agora, one of the wisest people on here!!! Feeling depressed and empty cuts across all ages. I’ve been through tons of therapy. I’m at a point where I could be a therapist myself. Try to stay active. Get out of the house and do something!!!

[Midori]

I'm 74 too, and widowed with two (thankfully) grown up kids.

Your Therapist is right, you do need to see others, and just get out of the house! I know it's not easy. but it can be done.

Is there a 'sitting' service locally? Someone who can come in to give you a break for a couple of hours? Maybe once or twice a week? This would allow you to get out and maybe go for a coffee somewhere, just a change of scenery.

Do you drive? Could you take your wife out in the car to give her some fresh air too? I am sure there are things available if you look.

Cheers, Midori

[Hollick]

Meird, I'm middle aged 57, mae & can really relate to a lot of what you said..I've been unemployed due to severe depressiom, and a possible misdiagnosis?I have three older siblings which I never hear from, I don't reach out to them because of the nature of the disease, tend to withdraw and isolate, not good...and the fact that their busy with their own families and lives, but no excuses..I'm finding out painfully, that as we get older it gets harder to make new friends..kinda of a paradox I always say, so many ways with technology to communicate in this age, yet were left with a lot of lonely people, the experts say, its an epidemic...I was a caregiver for both my parents at the end of their lives, its exhausting and a very hard role to accomplish..wish I knew what else to say, but I will say you are NOT alone with the void your experiencing...being unemployed as long as I have, really sucks..wishing you all the best to you and your spouse..take care, God bless🙏

[PapaDocs]

I had a similar feeling of emptiness a few years ago. I was invited to a Bible study and had found meaning in my life. It takes time to really understand this truth that many people dismiss. It is quite sad that a lot of forums today discourage discussions on faith. I am not suggesting this for anyone here but just trying to share that it did make a big difference in my life, and for me it was a very positive one. And I know many people whose lives are better because of the role of faith in their lives. Have you thought about going to a nearby church and talking to a pastor? There are volunteers in some churches like where I go to who will take the time to help in very practical ways. Think about trying that and you might find a church where people might be able to give the help that you need. I hope things do turn around for you, brother.

[Weatherwoman]

Hello: I am feeling very similar with some 50 plus years of Panic Disorder, GAD, OCD, etc., I am feeling, at 77, (even older that you-ha), sad, depressed, "what's it all about" feeling! I am, also, dealing with A Lot of Stressors caregiving for my Sig. Other --he has had three heart attacks, has Parkinson's, and is depressed --And, then there is the Pandemic which goes on & on & on, and in itself enough to make a person Very anxious & depressed. Taking care of my Sig. Other, doing all the chores in our home, shopping online, cooking, etc., I have No time for anything as I am just too tired from All I have to do. I can't take any time for myself as my Sig. Other can't stay alone. It cost A lot to get a care person to sit with him, and they want a minimum of four hours. I feel Stuck, unhappy, scared for his & my health (Stress has mad my own health issues much worse). I do love this Man & want to help him, but he has sapped my health & energy & I feel resentful, at times. I have a therapist that I can talk to only every three weeks (online). My family all live in other states, my friends are on the other side of the Bay & fearful to come here, & I don't blame them. Though, I have all my covid vaccines, I still feel fearful going out, having people come in. I am grateful I have this Man in my life, but it's SO difficult being a care person with no help (very little as he has a nurse that comes in every other week to do the meds). Also, have lost my Mom two years ago, lost good, close friends, and tho. I have friends still very much alive, I don't want to complain too much as they don't want to keep hearing it. I am not giving you much help; but, know you are Not alone. I hope that we can find some outlets to take care of ourselves, and our own needs a well as we do with others.