Hello @kaydas, welcome to Connect and thank you for posting your first message to this discussion on managing life-long mental health as a senior.

@kaydas, if you don't mind sharing, how are you doing with your depression and anxiety? 32 years is certainly a long time.

Welcome, @kaydas - I don't know how long ago depression and anxiety and a few other fun things started for me. Long before I realized I needed help. This is a great place to find support from others of us who pray for God to help us.

I know that it gets really old. Do you have people around you who care about you and maybe even understand some of what you deal with every day? As Justin said, feel free to share with us as much about yourself as you're comfortable. We're here to offer our love and support anytime you need it.

Jim

I too have dealt with depression for the better part of my life. I am now 86 years old and 2 years ago a psychiatrist put me on venafaxine and trazodone. I am now able to function better and sleep comes easily, a relief. Throuout the years, due to my depression , I have walked away from any friends I had. I have a special needs adult daughter who lives with me and she is the only person I do anything with. I long for adult interaction but am afraid to take the first step. I go back to when mental illness had a terrible stigma attached to it and get rid of those feelings of being judged by others as a mentally ill person. I have dealt with two bouts of cancer successfully alone and carry some resentment for being alone even though I may have caused it. I know what I should do to help myself but am unable to get motivated. I need things to do besides going to doctors and counselors. My husband died 12 years ago and I was his caretaker during his last year. At least I had a purpose. Now it is my daughter. I look forward to the day ending so I can go to sleep. It is what it is but very empty...

Hi Justin and thank you for moderating this site. You look like a compassionate person. THis is the first time I am posting here, and I have been having anxiety on and off for the past 5 years, beginning with my daughter's first pregnancy, which was complicated. Them she ended up having two more pregnancies which were even more life-threatening to her ad the babies. With good health care, several hospitalizations and monitoring, her children normal and beautiful, but I remained in anxiety state on of, comlicataed my 88-year old mother who is always at me for one thing or another.

On the bright side, the physical trappings of my life are very good. Wonderful second husband, two beautiful homes, one in Pennsylvania and one in Florida. Having a lot of anxiety about leaving all the kids and grandchildren as we fly out on Saturday to FL.

I have found the best way to make is to fake and push through, take my medication, be mindful and grateful, talk therapy and reaching out to good friends. I also try to find happiness in the small things in life, and I exercise hard at least 4 or 5 days a week.

A mental health services in our country are so vastly underserved and I would like to get involved in helping other people.

Thanks to you all for listening, and I appreciate your support.

Hang tough, friends. There are always good days and rays of hope.

Julie

Hello Julie, @user_che9abc00

Thanks for your contribution to our discussion, it is always good to hear from others who are dealing with anxiety and hearing about the techniques they use to cope. I certainly applaud you for all of the good strategies you have in place: exercise, talk therapy, meds, etc. It does take a lot of healthy behaviors in order to counteract a negative mind-set doesn't it?

We look forward to hearing from you again. Enjoy your time in Florida!

Teresa

Hi, @mrmaid11 -- glad you have found some medications that are helping.

You have undergone many challenges. I'm sorry right now it feels like you are looking forward to the day ending so you can sleep.

Since you have participated in a lot of caregiving, I thought you might like to meet the volunteer mentor for our Caregivers group on Mayo Clinic Connect, @IndianaScott .

You mentioned that you long for adult interaction and that you walked away from any friends due to your depression. Are there any of those friends you feel you could take the relationship back up with--ask them to coffee or something along those lines?