I'm sorry for the loss of your sons. I have attempted suicide, and I know the terrible pain it would cause for my wife and children. Knowing that keeps me from further attempts.
I don't know how long depression has been affecting me, but in 2003, my doctor prescribed my first antidepressant, and in 2005, I crashed. I was overdosing, wanting to die, and was deeply depressed.
I don't think I'd be able to handle all that you are. You have a source of strength. Maybe you could tell us what keeps you going. We all have our own coping resources, and it helps to find new ways to cope.
I have a support team, and each member helps me in different ways. God is at the top of the list, my wife, my service dog, church, and a few friends. I hope to start seeing a therapist again in February. The last one moved more than a year ago. They don't stay here very long, because they can make so much more money in bigger cities. The town I live in is just under 10,000. The challenge has been finding a therapist who takes Medicare.
Well, I have to get a shower and get to bed so I can get up early for my appointment with the pain specialist tomorrow. Blessings to you.
jimhd when I lived with my parents as a child growing up I always had a dog. Though we never heard of or refured to the dogs as service dogs they were a companion to me. When I moved out of my parents home I got a cat which is called a companion. Where I live companion animals are allowed when pets are not allowed. My cat is very entertaining because to him he is the master of his domain. When is the whole house. I would like to had a dog but it would of been to much for me with the up keep. But I know how you feel about your dog as I do about my cat. They are very much your family
Great topic to start, Georgette.
You wrote:
"discussing managing mental health issues as a senior, after a lifelong challenge with this disease. This issue can be further complicated as we age because many people do have memory loss and other symptoms of aging, and it is very difficult to tell the difference between life-long anxiety or depression and other mental health issues.......and age-related symptoms or conditions. Am i feeling depressed because i cannot do the things i used to do, or am i depressed because i do not have chronic depression under control?"
hopeful33250 I too like to write but sometimes especially on FB I will write something and get an unexpected response and wondering are my writings get across the way I want it too? Sometimes yes sometimes no. It is a gamble. But as you say it is just helpful to put some thoughts into words and get that relief without the fear of how others will interpret what you wrote
@jimhd That is wonderful that you have found both companionship and assistance! Thanks for sharing the service dog webiste. I have heard from others that it is a great help for those who have PTSD. Best wishes for the new year! Teresa
Hello to all my comforting friends. I have to go back and figure out how to find the other posts regarding this topic. I will figure that out soon. Still cannot find the draft i wrote under the MAC forum. I am not sure you keep drafts. I am going to look for the other posts on this topic. Blessings
Hello to all my comforting friends. I have to go back and figure out how to find the other posts regarding this topic. I will figure that out soon. Still cannot find the draft i wrote under the MAC forum. I am not sure you keep drafts. I am going to look for the other posts on this topic. Blessings
Hi Georgette,
You unfortunately cannot save drafts of messages yet. We are continually making improvements. I'll add this to the wishlist. Let me know if I can help you find topics or messages.
Thanks so much. I was on the MAC forum discussing my own diagosis and wanted to mention Lady Windemere syndrome which applies. So i just went to google and lost it! Will rewrite it.
Anybody have trouble going to church because the way you are treated there with mental illness? Once people get to know me, I find they talk down to me. I find it hard to keeping attending.
These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and don't tell anyone about your background.
I do not go to church but I had plenty of it when I was a child, enough to make me not want to ever go to church again.
My family and close friends know that I am Bipolar and I never tell anyone else. I thought the bias was lifting against people with mental illnesses but I guess not.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a psychiatric service dog. I've never felt any hostility or negativity. The church I used to go to were very accepting, and were really sad when we changed to another church. The only reason we left was that the pastor didn't believe in psychology or psychiatry, and made me feel wrongly judged. I think the church is growing up in its misperceptions of mental illness. I am a retired minister, and have felt the stigma firsthand. It's unfortunate, because that's certainly not what Jesus modeled.
I just changed my profile picture to a colored pencil drawing made of my previous service dog, Barnabas, who died a year ago.
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jimhd when I lived with my parents as a child growing up I always had a dog. Though we never heard of or refured to the dogs as service dogs they were a companion to me. When I moved out of my parents home I got a cat which is called a companion. Where I live companion animals are allowed when pets are not allowed. My cat is very entertaining because to him he is the master of his domain. When is the whole house. I would like to had a dog but it would of been to much for me with the up keep. But I know how you feel about your dog as I do about my cat. They are very much your family
hopeful33250 I too like to write but sometimes especially on FB I will write something and get an unexpected response and wondering are my writings get across the way I want it too? Sometimes yes sometimes no. It is a gamble. But as you say it is just helpful to put some thoughts into words and get that relief without the fear of how others will interpret what you wrote
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1 Reactionand for many other reasons as well
Hello everyone...have not been able to connect again. But wanted to say i am still here and will be back tomorrow. Blessings
Hello to all my comforting friends. I have to go back and figure out how to find the other posts regarding this topic. I will figure that out soon. Still cannot find the draft i wrote under the MAC forum. I am not sure you keep drafts. I am going to look for the other posts on this topic. Blessings
Hi Georgette,
You unfortunately cannot save drafts of messages yet. We are continually making improvements. I'll add this to the wishlist. Let me know if I can help you find topics or messages.
Thanks so much. I was on the MAC forum discussing my own diagosis and wanted to mention Lady Windemere syndrome which applies. So i just went to google and lost it! Will rewrite it.
Anybody have trouble going to church because the way you are treated there with mental illness? Once people get to know me, I find they talk down to me. I find it hard to keeping attending.
These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and don't tell anyone about your background.
I do not go to church but I had plenty of it when I was a child, enough to make me not want to ever go to church again.
My family and close friends know that I am Bipolar and I never tell anyone else. I thought the bias was lifting against people with mental illnesses but I guess not.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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2 ReactionsMy service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a psychiatric service dog. I've never felt any hostility or negativity. The church I used to go to were very accepting, and were really sad when we changed to another church. The only reason we left was that the pastor didn't believe in psychology or psychiatry, and made me feel wrongly judged. I think the church is growing up in its misperceptions of mental illness. I am a retired minister, and have felt the stigma firsthand. It's unfortunate, because that's certainly not what Jesus modeled.
I just changed my profile picture to a colored pencil drawing made of my previous service dog, Barnabas, who died a year ago.
Jim
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