Depression and Anxiety at an older age

Waiting for blood test results now

Hi. I am brand new here, just signed up. I'll be 77 next month. I have had depression for most of my life. Suicide attempt at the age of 16. Anxiety & PTSD. I have had years of CBT, to little avail. On all kinds of meds, which are somewhat effective, but I don't like dealing with the side effects & have strong feelings that they just aren't good for me. I'm an old Hippy & prefer alternative treatment. Unfortunately, my medical insurance. doesn't provide for Natural Healing modalities & I am on a very limited income. So, limited as to options. I meditate, eat healthfully, do breath work, Vagus Nerve exercises & a little Yoga. I am completely isolated & have been for most of my life. I am relatively new to my current living situation, new town. I'm an old Hippy living in a small redneck town, with virtually no resources for older folks. No family, no friends. Too much to explain about what brought me to this point in life. Suffice it to say that a traumatic childhood misdirected me & I've spent most if my life caught in a web of suffering or looking for healing, balance & peace of mind. I have come a very long way, but I still have a great deal to learn & find for myself.

Hi and welcome. A lot of folks here can relate to your situation.

I know what you mean about looking for balance and peace. As someone said, "If you're not looking for peace, it's probably the wrong thing." (That's from a movie called "Zachariah", with Country Joe and the Fish, something that may resonate with your old hippie self.)

I'm wondering -- do you participate in other online communities?

Also, do you have a membership to SilverSneakers through a Medicare Advantage plan or some such? They offer a lot of online classes in fitness, lifestyle, and general wellness. I participate a lot. It gives me a sense of "having someplace to go", without leaving the house.

Finally, are you familiar with Emotional freedom Technique, which uses tapping on acupressure points to address various issues. Lots and lots of free videos on YouTube. Easy to learn and practice. It doesn't work for everybody, but it may be worth a try.
Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeCDWyIqAyU&pp=ygUQZWZ0IHRhcHBpbmcgcHRzZA%3D%3D

Again, welcome and good luck!

Hi Phebeebe!
You’ve got a good smile, and you’re not alone in the things you’ve expressed.
I’ve always been the odd one out, and my attempts to “fix” it have generally lead to heartbreaking ends, so I’ve decided to just be who I am and not feel “wrong.”
When I look at others with compassion, I wind up feeling grateful for my situation.
Admitting that it ain’t easy makes it less painful.
Meanwhile, there are gardenias and daffodils outside my window!
Here’s something that made a big difference in my life. I hope you like it: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zl9puhwiyw&gt;

Might want to check on the use of Sam-E with antidepressants. Pretty sure it's contraindicated.

So sorry that you are in such emotional/psychological pain. I'm all too familiar with major depressive disorder as well as anxiety disorders. It can be crippling indeed. I learned over time that my system does not do well on antidepressants, nor meds that address anxiety specifically, so I am not on any medication. Is it taxing and difficult to cope? Of course. But I just will not deal with the hallucinations, night terrors, etc., and zombie-state that medications imposed on me. I channel some of my pain into my writing (yes, LOTS of writing), listening to oldies but goodies (those that won't trigger painful memories), BAKE and COOK, and catch a good flick on TV with hubby. I like playing Scrabble, Checkers, and dominoes with him. And sometimes it's quite OK to allow for time ALL to myself. Face Time with grandchildren who live in another state makes me feel grateful for the love that they and other family members shower on me. Find ways to lift your spirits, but it's OK to acknowledge the pain and try to soothe your soul. Make sure you don't deprive yourself of sleep; I hit the hay early, and no calls are permitted in the evening (which is "wind down" time). Light a candle with a soothing scent. Keep calm thoughts as you prepare for bedtime. I believe in prayer, so I do that not just at night, but also throughout the day, including the needs of family and friends. A warm shower, doing relaxation therapy....anything that can help to calm the body and soul.

I am in no way advocating that you should not take medications. That's your call and your medical team. But try a few of the ideas that I present above, see which work for you.

Wishing you peace and calmness🌺

@delia74 I believe in prayer also! When you pray can you include me and I you. Thank you !

I am 72 years old and am experiencing a lot of anxiety about what has and is happening to our beautiful wonderful country. The United States seems to be currently run by a bunch of incompetents who are ruining our country, the country my father took 14 bullets for in WW11 to protect our freedoms and liberties. Now this elected and un-elected group is spitting on and doing things that are killing off the very foundations and principles of our country based on the strengths of the rule of law, which is being exploited, bastatdized and trashed by these people....I fear beyond repair. I feel helpless and feel stuck on the ship of my dreams that is sinking....how can I feel better? Is there anything I can do to assuage this onslaught of fear and anxiety?

I think a lot of people share your sentiments, pami.

I have friends all over the political spectrum (we have to agree not to talk politics!), and everyone seems to think "the other guys" are ruining the country.

My solution is to throttle way back on news stories. I remind myself that their job isn't to inform, but to make money, and they do that by keeping people scared so they'll keep watching.

Being disabled, there's not much I can do anyway, so I try to stay informed, but that's it. In the past, I amused myself by creating humorous/ironic memes, a couple of which went almost-viral, but I haven't done one in a while. Now I just behave like a good citizen. I vote, I encourage others to do so, I obey the law, and I prepare as best I can. The rest I leave up to God.

I just hope things hold together until my wife and I are gone, because the Fall of Rome will look like a day at the beach compared to what's coming.

As for the anxiety, it's like living in tornado country (which I do). You know it can happen, but you don't let a potential disaster spoil the joy of living.

There is still love, and goodness, and gentleness, and peace in the world. Lots of it. Embrace it. Share it. Create it.

Most of all, there's hope. When Pandora loosed all the evils into the world, Hope remained.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I do the same, am a good citizen, vote, and try not to worry about things that are totally out of my control. Having said that, I mourn the loss of my country and society where I have always felt safe and felt free to smile and spread joy...in these times I don't carry a purse to the market, am careful about being aware of my surroundings and who is in all corners of my eyes when out...I don't smile as much because I am unsure as to who I might be giving my smile to might be waiting to cause me harm and read a smile as weakness. At 72, I don't move as fast so feel vulnerable. In years past, I would have been far more able to defend myself or someone else. Again, thank you for your thoughts,..may God bless!

Absolutely will do, Kathy!💖🙏🏽