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Does anyone feel old and useless with age?

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (310)

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@alju

I've only begun looking at this support group but have been utilizing Mayo Connect for a year or more. I am also suffering from insomnia which I'm sure is a result of my increasing anxiety and depression . I suffered from GAD all my life but it's much worse now and is becoming intolerable. I turned 84 in January and as my physical issues are also advancing I am less and less able to cope with anything. I have had a few days recently when I was "losing it" which really frightened me . I have just begun therapy with an on line psychologist , knew I had better do something quick. Have only had 3 sessions so far; hope this will help. I am overly cautious, no surprise there, about meds & supplements so read pros and cons on rxlist.com before I consider taking . I'll check out these three that you suggest. Thank you very much. From a fellow Arkansan.

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Replies to "I've only begun looking at this support group but have been utilizing Mayo Connect for a..."

I feel so so sorry for you but you really think an online psychologist is going to solve your problems?
SSRI’s have been around for years and I discovered them when Prozac was on the cover of Time Magazine. Finally I had a name for what I had been suffering from since my freshman year in college.
I immediately called my PCP the next day and said this article was describing me and my mother who made my childhood miserable.
Unlike my mother who denied she suffered from depression and continued to self medicate with alcohol I immediately called my PCP who ironically was my mother’s PCP and had her prescribe Prozac for me. Unfortunately Prozac didn’t react well with my brain and I tried Zoloft/ Sertraline. I had control of my life back and the roller coaster I was on finally stopped. Later I met with a psychiatrist who added Buspar, Bupropion and Klonopin. I have been taking all three for over 30 years. Yes I have been taking the same dose of Klonopin for thirty years and I have never increased the dosage or suffered any side effects.
People have to start taking control of their own lives or they can die like my mother still medicating with alcohol and denying she had a problem.
It took a toll on my brother and sister and I swore it would not take a toll on my own family. We all have choices. Instead of demonizing all the drugs that can help you find the right ones and take them.
I wish you all well.