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Long-term depression
New to the group; would like to ask how others find something to look forward to in life? At my age, there's nothing to hope for, except death. I am a born-again Christian, so I know there is an escape from the physical pain and limitations brought on by illness, and escape from daily depression and motivation to continue. I try to remain active and do have interests, but sometimes the depression is too much. I have also realized when others say they care, etc., there truly is no one who means what they say. It's "We care, so long as you just keep doing your job here, but don't bother me - but we love you!" I'm old enough to know this is not true, but a method to keep a warm body in a position to get a job done. One of my 92 year old neighbors happily moves along, although she tells me almost all her friends are gone, etc. I can't ask her what motivates her. How do others have hope for anything after their families are gone and there is nothing else?
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I too have had depression and anxiety for over 2 years. I no longer have any interests or have anything to look forward to. I ask my friends and family what gives them joy and they have a nice long list. I have nothing. I see people smile and laugh and I want that so badly. I am on medication and I have therapy once a week. I want my joy back and I miss the old me.
I hope things get better for you. Just know you are not alone.
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4 ReactionsHi, @brenda61, and welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect community. Sounds like it's been a tough road with the anxiety and depression, especially feeling that there is nothing to look forward to right now.
You mentioned going to weekly therapy. What does your therapist say about how you are feeling currently?
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3 ReactionsHi Lisa, She just listens to me talk or cry, then says it is hard. She encourages me to get out more. I do manage to work but getting out of the house for anything else is very difficult.
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3 Reactionshow do I find someone that I can trust ? I would love to find someone to really talk to
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1 ReactionThis so sounds like me. I am 61 and have spiraled down in the last 3 years. I have a successful business, wrote and published a book and am a pillar in the community. That was me before 61. I wish I could get back there. I don't know what happened and have gone all different routes to find a solution. I think the best thing is to talk with people who are going through the same feelings and sometimes it is hard because I get my spells late at night. Medication can help but keep up the therapy and get involved in some support groups.
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3 Reactions@rick807 You go slow. You can do research, and if you know of anyone else who is seeing a therapist ask them about their experience with their therapist. When you find someone you think you want to see, make an appointment. At your appointment you don't have to talk about everything, wouldn't have time anyway. 🙂 But just talk about what you feel comfortable saying, after a few appointments of doing this, as you do this probably each time you see them you may get more of a sense of if it is someone you can work with. I say work with, because that's what it is, it takes work to talk about your feeling and issues, and I always do "homework", writing, drawing, and coloring. After your first appointment, you may already know if you don't think it will work out. Don't give up, keep trying till you find someone you feel comfortable with and feel that they care and that they are there to help you. Good luck, and keep posting on here!
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3 ReactionsIt is the hardest thing putting your trust in someone but pray that the right person will be there for you. The best places to start are churches and ministries. They have a confidentially responsibility.
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3 Reactionsthank you for taking the time to answer me.
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2 ReactionsHi everybody ..... I've been out of town for several days and honestly didn't have time to read all your e-mails. I'm sorry. Yes, long term depression is miserable, almost a curse. My therapist and Psychiatrist both believe that my mother had bi-polar and medicated herself with alcohol, which eventually killed her at age 60. It seems I have Cyclothymia, a milder form of bi-polar, with the strongest part being the depression. My "manic" isn't manic at all ..... it's just feeling good. And someone wrote if there were side effects from withdrawing from an antidepressant. I can give this a definite yes. I had been taking Zoloft for about 2 years (long time ago), and decided to "wean myself" off of it. I "thought" I was doing it slowly ..... 1/2 tablet every 4 days is what I reduced it by. Well, by the time I was down to 1 tablet (I was taking 2 at the time, my head felt very odd, and somehow my sense of perspective was lost ..... I would walk into walls with my feet, misjudge things, and a variety of other things. So, I called my Psychiatrist at that time, told him, and he said to slowly increase it again which I did. But, it never had the same strength of effect that it did before I did that.
I hope you are all doing OK .... I was in MD to see my therapist and my Psychiatrist ... I drive there every 2 weeks to see my therapist and my Psychiatrist I see every 2 months for med. checks. But, anytime I need them before those times, all I have to do is call.
abby
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6 Reactions@brenda61 Hi Brenda. Even a walk around the block can sometimes help to change your mood. If I do not get out of the house for an entire day, I start to feel yicky.
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