Depression and Anxiety at an older age

I agree 100 % with you. The alternatives don’t justify a possible suicide. Find someone who will allow you to enjoy what you have left in your life.

I agree that reading is good as it takes you to many places & eras, but volunteering is the
best!
You are contributing to society & learning about others & their problems= should
take you out of yourself for awhile. Days can be VERY long with not enough to do.
Kay

I am 73, going through a bad bout of depression. I also have a hard time finding things to do during the day. My hobby is knitting, but I don't always feel well enough to knit. My brother and his wife live nearby, but I don't want to bring them down with my crying. I am trying to find suitable support groups to attend. No local NAMI groups. Where I used to live, they were weekly and a great help. I have pain due to arthritis, which also limits me. My 24 year old grandson died suddenly five months ago so a lot of this could be grief. I began seeing a therapist last week. She told me to be kind to myself. I needed that advice. I think a lot of us with mental struggles tend to be hard on ourselves and it just makes things worse. I am trying different meds and will not give up! I have been here (severely depressed) before and got better and will again. "Patience, grasshopper."

I've been agoraphobic for over 40 yrs. 2 yrs of counseling with a psychologist, low dose .25 Xanax (taken as needed), support from my husband and son have been my saving grace. Initially I was to the point I could only go to work and come home, otherwise I would not leave the house without an escort. My therapist suggested going out and taking my son. He was 14 and not able to drive, so I had to drive (which was a HUGE issue for me). I do fairly well. Actually the last couple of months have been the best I've ever been. I contribute that to zero alcohol. I quit 7 months ago. I have a 25 mile radius that I'm comfortable driving around. Otherwise, my husband drives or has to take me if it is further than that. I've not driven on major highway in over 30 yrs. Visualizing getting on a ramp to the highway terrifies me. I don't like bridges, escalators, the list goes on and on. I feel I've missed out on a lot because of my fears. Learning to accept the disorder, not fight it & keep working on it helps. Good luck, it is a horrible disorder to live with. . .

Thank you for sharing. With all you've been through, how have you found new ways to find purpose and fill your days?

This may be a long story, but it fits with the ones above and I need to sort it out with today's story. I have battled depression since I was about ten. I've gone through various treatments and medicine, therapist, groups, and doctors. I am 73 and my wonderful husband are trying to help her through dementia and broken legs (2 times right another left) mention this because she talks about her childhood traumas. I don't share mine, but later I think about my traumas that were kept in a box (sort of.)

I was recently was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Believe it or not, it wasn't;t frightening, but provided me with a focus for my life. So, I'm taking things to the thrift store or are given to someone who can really use them. Plus, now I gave speech therapy, physical therapy, plus medicine that controls the falling. I'm working on my new book and art work.

I'm still alone a bit because I don't drive anymore which started before the diagnosis on my decision because of too many fender benders. I'm working on it.

It sounds like many of you are working on having a plan to feel better. It's possible to get better and have a good life. The other person was around the Cold War, Kruschezf, Vietnam and more which I experienced. (I saw the first Moon landing, and I was interviewed by Wally Shirra ( a later astronaut.)

Keep working on the happiness and the courage.

typo: I get speech therapy and my wonderful husband and I are trying to help my sister....

You have been through so much, along with your husband, too! It would be easy to fall into a depression! I went through a similar problem, a number of years ago, where, as a lay preacher, our church folded, and it affected me, deeply! Our best friends, were our Pastor and his wife! We just couldn’t financially support the church to keep it open. it was a difficult time, and we felt depressed because we let our parishioners down! We felt that we had failed! We prayed and were supportive of each other, and struggled with trying to keep the church open, but we were not successful! It took some time for me to get over that depressing time in my life! Later on, other opportunities opened up for me, and I continued my ministry in another church! Wishing you the best!

@lsittll it is proven that xanax will increase anxiety when taken for long period of time. Then youneed more and the spiraling begins.

@joseph70 Xanax is considered one of the most addictive benzodiazepines due to its fast-acting nature and the significant changes it brings to the brain. Regular use can lead to rapid physical dependence within 2-4 weeks, as the body requires the drug to function normally. Xanax is typically prescribed for short-term use because of its potency and the risk of developing dependence.