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Managing Lifelong Mental Health as a Senior

Posted by georgette12 @georgette12, Jan 13, 2017

I have just started using this site so this is my first message.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

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Minnie1971 | @lesbatts | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

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.

Jim

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Scientology is a so called religion started by L Ron Hubbard. He wrote Dianetics which is supposed to explain the whole religion (cult). I read the book years ago. The guy is a nut case and I can't figure out how anyone can believe what he exposes. Tom Cruise is a major player in this cult. Go to youtube and put his name in and Scientology it's an eye opener.

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johnjames | @johnjames | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

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.

Jim

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Really sorry my friend- he is not correct- but I would bet the people don't feel that way. But sometimes- as you said, it's better to move on to a group of Christians who put people first as the Lord says to do. JJAMES

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@johnhans I am sorry to hear of the difficulty you are having with depression and the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@johnhans I am sorry to hear of the difficulty you are having with depression and the isolating effects of health problems. Transportation is a serous problems for seniors. Is there any senior transportation in your vicinity? What about NAMI support groups? If these are not possible, you might try some "book-therapy." Do some reading by authors who specialize in depression. David Burns comes to mind as one author who writes about changing your thoughts so that your mood will change. Let's hear what some others are reading, Can you suggest some authors or books about dealing with depression, @georgette12 @jimhd @johnjames @rspaulling @safetyshield?

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If you lived in the same place I do, I'd be happy to help you with transportation. Is there a senior center where you live? I have a great list of benefits, providers and services for seniors, such as transportation, which is one of the things I expect to need help with some day. The list might be available at a senior center, Chamber of Commerce, hospital, county services, mental health or? How about a friend or relative who would read to you.

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 31, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

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.

Jim

Jump to this post

Thanks, John. I'm sorry for all the issues you face. I think that for some people, as they get older, they are able to enjoy travel, and enjoy camping, hiking, biking, and all kinds of activities. Unfortunately, we aren't in that segment of society, are we.

I know that my father had depression, and I'm pretty sure his mother did, as well, and probably his father. My mom was quite depressed the last couple of years of her life. Some of my siblings deal with it, too. So, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I do. Healing seems elusive. I feel ok sometimes, even laugh at things - I didn't laugh for a long time - but just thinking of the word depression, or some other word or event, makes me feel sad immediately in my gut. I feel like a real burden on my wife, who's never experienced depression. These thoughts and others stir up thoughts of suicide, of being very tired of life. All of this makes me realize that I probably need to find a therapist soon, something I am pursuing.

Gotta go to bed. God bless and keep you, John. Peace be with you.

Jim

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 31, 2017
In reply to @johnhans "I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living...." + (show)
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I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living. I also have neuropathy which makes it hard for me to walk and impossible to drive. This cuts me off from social activities and leaves me isolated. I am feeling increasingly frustrated and highly agitated and irritable. After a lifetime of depression that was at least partially controllable, now it is just getting worse and nothing works on me. When I do go out with paratransit I get in arguments with others which makes me want to stay home and never go out. I find the local hospitals here in Minnesota to be not worth much in treating depression, just shove out the door to get the next person in. Only Mayo is rated good, but I have no way of getting there since I do not drive and I do not know if my insurance is even accepted there. Is this what senior life is like for the mentally ill? There are no local services for me. I have checked.

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@johnjames. Just a quick note before I go to bed. I also have peripheral neuropathy, often making it painful to walk. I'm thankful for the handicap placard that saves me a few steps. Sometimes I hurt when driving, but living out in the country means I can use cruise control a lot of the time. Prescription Lidocaine cream gives temporary relief sometimes. I surely wished I had something when we drove in October, '15, from Oregon to our daughter's in Boston, via a sister's home in St. Paul, and then on the way home, via my other sister's home near Gettysburg, and our son's in Indianapolis. That was a wonderful trip, but horribly painful. I drove barefoot, with my feet on a pillow, trying to ease the pain. But we have good memories and lots of pictures.

Jim

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 31, 2017

@jimhd Thanks, Jim. for offering your perspective. You have offered a lot of good practical suggestions to all of us (especially the use of Lidocaine cream, cruise control when driving long distances, etc.). Your attitude is also an example to us when you express the good memories you have from an experience that was clouded by pain and difficulties. You have learned how to make the most of life, in spite of health difficulties and that is invaluable. Teresa

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rspaulling | @rspaulling | Jan 31, 2017
In reply to @lesbatts "These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and..." + (show)
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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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Thank you. God bless you!

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rspaulling | @rspaulling | Jan 31, 2017
In reply to @lesbatts "These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and..." + (show)
Profile picture for Minnie1971 @lesbatts

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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Most suicides are from undiagnosed mental illness. Ask God to show you the root cause of why you feel guilt.

REPLY
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rspaulling | @rspaulling | Jan 31, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

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.

Jim

Jump to this post

Ron Hubbard started out as a science fiction writer. Even his fellow science fiction writers wonder why he would make up his own religion.

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rspaulling | @rspaulling | Jan 31, 2017
In reply to @johnhans "I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living...." + (show)
Profile picture for johnhans @johnhans

I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living. I also have neuropathy which makes it hard for me to walk and impossible to drive. This cuts me off from social activities and leaves me isolated. I am feeling increasingly frustrated and highly agitated and irritable. After a lifetime of depression that was at least partially controllable, now it is just getting worse and nothing works on me. When I do go out with paratransit I get in arguments with others which makes me want to stay home and never go out. I find the local hospitals here in Minnesota to be not worth much in treating depression, just shove out the door to get the next person in. Only Mayo is rated good, but I have no way of getting there since I do not drive and I do not know if my insurance is even accepted there. Is this what senior life is like for the mentally ill? There are no local services for me. I have checked.

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Do you have or have you had a passion for anything like music, writing, or art? Maybe redirect your mind to something you really like would work.

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