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@dorma First of all. recognizing you are experiencing depression is a step in the right direction!
Do you journal? Write poetry or essays or short stories? This discussion thread may be something to take a look at : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/ Try writing a letter to your depression and see what happens!
Keeping a healthy diet for your own situation can help. You mention chronic pain and extreme fatigue. Do you have a handle on the underlying causes of those side effects? They can certainly take a toll on a person! And like what @jc76 said, physical exercise can help.
I take 10mg of citalopram each night. It is a small dose, and keeps the valleys from dipping too low, and the mountain from getting to high.
How are you feeling today? Have you read anything here that you might be open to trying?
Ginger
Replies to "@dorma First of all. recognizing you are experiencing depression is a step in the right direction!..."
Vitamin B12 shots can also help. They help me. I have had depression on and off for years. I got long COVID in 2022 and fell into a hopeless state of mind. I am also in recovery and when I got sober in 2017, I started running and exercising to help with my depression and anxiety. Now that I have Long COVID, extreme fatigue and many other symptoms, I can't run anymore. I decided to try Cymbalta. I am on the lowest dose possible (30 mg.) as I have been on many anti-depressants and could not tolerate them for one reason or another. I have found this to be helpful. Adrenal fatigue can also cause issues with depression. Maybe look at http://www.samhsa.gov or the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) websites. They have resources that might be helpful as well.
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Thank you; and thanks to the several replies from others! It is encouraging to read the responses.
I do need to try harder on some of things above. I am really struggling, but trying to be positive. The only exercise I can do is stretching. It helps me stay limber, but doesn't really help the pain.
I did a lot of decoupage for several years, then discovered pour painting, which I love even more. But for several months I can't seem to get motivated to do anything. I have no appetite, and have gone from 95 pounds to 87. I've lost 4 inches in height, due to spine issues.
Many doctors; no real help. We just don't have any good ones in our area. I will be 82 in a month, but I'm not giving up! The responses have given me a nudge in a better direction. ** No, about the senior community activities.