Colleen- how can one send you an e-mail ? in order to run something by you- thanks JJames

@johnjames You can send me a private message. Here's how:
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johnjames I am always interested in different approaches to mental health issues. I know that there are different types of depression and different kinds of treatment. Some do overlap. Thanks for sharing your approach. It enhanced my base of knowledge both as a person and a therapist

John,

Thanks for writing. I don't know if I've said anything about being retired. I left my life's work when I was 55, ten years ago, at the strong recommendation of my doctors, who could see I wouldn't be living much longer. I applied for Social Security Disability, which was approved the first time I asked, and a few months later, I resigned and moved to the home we had bought 2 years before. It took us several months to pack up and move our household 175 miles, 31 round trips with our pickup and horse trailer, other trailers, and a couple of trips with the biggest truck from U-Haul. It was a nightmare, made worse by my deep depression. I would work for awhile, then crawl into bed, leaving my wife and daughter to do much of the packing.

None of the people in the church offered to help. I was pretty devastated by the distrust and angst that came from people I had given ten years of my life to, whom I thought knew me well enough to know that the things being said about me were lies. I learned a few lessons about the deception that Satan uses to try to interfere with the Lord's work and discredit His servants.

After years of counseling and prayer and support, I'm in a much better place now. I can't say that I'm no longer depressed, or that I never think about suicide, but I am a lot safer. Aging doesn't always treat us kindly. I have a few health issues, with chronic pain.

Retirement is hard for a lot of people, but it's just what I needed to survive. Spending a lot of time maintaining our house and property helps keep my mind focused on something other than my problems.

My time is up. I have to wash the dishes and take a shower. Have a good Sunday.

jmhd- Sorry about the help you needed and I believe deserved- it's how people really re-act to health issues-or situations where you need a change because of health and depression problems- I know that depression can and does destroy my day, Even as a Christian for over 50 years- I know God is with me, but I also know that depression is real, as King David new well, but he didn't turn away from God- and that's the key- not to ever turn away, oh we can be upset, confused even at times, but He's not confused- most of my friends in and out of the church left me to fend by myself - when I was diagnosed with Agent Orange Parkinson's- a few more fell by the way side, and then I had a heart attack and hernia surgery and now possible cancer- I think I can count on 3 friends. Culture-I'm sorry to say has changed and not for the better. When Robin Williams died- and the family said it from from depression of the Parkinson's-for the most part- I knew it was going to be a fight to live day by day, a friend I do have is going through pretty much the same thing and his spouse does not support him, when he is depressed- his spouse becomes angry and leaves the room- she is very un-happy and doesn't want to live the life she is in now- committed to the point of not leaving- but hating to be there, he asked me if he should leave and go somewhere- where he could have some peace within his chronic pain- He loves his spouse very much- but the rejection and being alone most of the time and whatever ever he does- doesn't make the situation better. I don'y know what you tell him, does anyone reading this have any ideas- he said the guild would kill him, yet living with 90% rejection I believe will destroy him physically some day. How do you think God would look at the situation? JJAMES

Colleen- do you know if Parkinson's PT- have a very hard time getting up in the mornings and moving around? It's takes me 2 hours at least- plus it's so depressing to feel that way. JJAMES

I think that his wife's behavior is displeasing to God, and if he has a place he can go to and be safe, he should do it for his own wellbeing. I think that there's nothing wrong with being apart for a time. His wife needs 2 things - to speak with a counselor about how to deal with his illness, and to find a support group for spouses of people with mental health issues.

When I was in the suicide recovery facility, reading David's words really spoke to me, though I found it extremely difficult to read at that point in my life. Psalms 6 and 91 were helpful, in two very different ways.

I've been a Christian for around 63 years, and being hit out of the blue with depression was a traumatic time. I had preached (God, forgive me) that Christians need not, and probably even said should never be depressed. Boy, was I wrong! I believe that, very slowly, the stigma of mental illness is decreasing, though the church may be even slower at understanding and helping that population. Old wrong attitudes and misinformation persist, and are hard to change. Gotta stop and get to sleep.

@johnjames, I recommend you ask your question about Parkinson's and having a hard time to get started in the morning to the members of the Parkinson's group here: http://mayocl.in/2abXKUs

@jimhd you can't always control what people say about you or do. The best anyone can do is their best and to know the truth in their own minds. Haters hate Lovers love. It sounds that you are doing your best.

johnjames with any illness it is easy to get depressed that is normal as you get into your norm hopefully you will feel less depressed