Long-term depression

Posted by anniep @anniep, Mar 8, 2017

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 6, 2017

In reply to @rick807 "I'm so tired of pretending everything is ok.Sometimes it feels like my head gonna explode.I really..." + (show)

@rick807

As I mentioned in my last post, anytime you need to talk, I'm here. We can talk here in the group, or you can contact me directly.

Jim, volunteer mentor

rick807 | @rick807 | Sep 7, 2017

In reply to @rick807 "I'm so tired of pretending everything is ok.Sometimes it feels like my head gonna explode.I really..." + (show)

thank you I might just try it guess first time for everything

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 7, 2017

In reply to @brenda61 "Hi Lisa, She just listens to me talk or cry, then says it is hard. She..." + (show)

Hi, @brenda61-- glad you have this therapist to talk to.

You mentioned your therapist encourages you to get out of the house more but that that is difficult. What do you think is the biggest barrier to your getting out?

rick807 | @rick807 | Sep 7, 2017

In reply to @rick807 "I'm so tired of pretending everything is ok.Sometimes it feels like my head gonna explode.I really..." + (show)

I would like to talk to you but not to computer smart dont know if your getting messages.
Rick

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 7, 2017

In reply to @rick807 "I'm so tired of pretending everything is ok.Sometimes it feels like my head gonna explode.I really..." + (show)

Hi, @rick807--if you click on Jim's handle, @jimhd, on any of his messages he's posted it will take you into his profile. Near the top of his profile you will see the "Send a private message" option. Click on that, and then it will take you into the place where you will create your message. It will already have Jim under "recipients" for your message, so just give your message a subject line in the "Subject" box, type in your message in the "Message" box, and click the blue box at the bottom that says "Send Message." This will send a message only Jim can see. If by chance you aleady have done all this already, then please disregard this tip. 🙂

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 8, 2017

In reply to @rick807 "I'm so tired of pretending everything is ok.Sometimes it feels like my head gonna explode.I really..." + (show)

Thanks, Lisa. I couldn't have given Rick these clear instructions.

Jim

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 8, 2017

In reply to @rick807 "I'm so tired of pretending everything is ok.Sometimes it feels like my head gonna explode.I really..." + (show)

@rick807

Sorry for taking so long to come upon your note. Sometimes my days are too hectic, and I don't make it to email until late in the day. I'll be watching for your note to me. I'll scroll up now and see if you wrote.

Jim

brenda61 | @brenda61 | Sep 8, 2017

In reply to @brenda61 "Hi Lisa, She just listens to me talk or cry, then says it is hard. She..." + (show)

Well, I am a very large person. I also have arthritic knees. But, I also do not enjoy being around a lot of people. Driving the car also makes me nervous now. I am just a hot mess.

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 8, 2017

In reply to @brenda61 "Hi Lisa, She just listens to me talk or cry, then says it is hard. She..." + (show)

Hi, @brenda61 Do you have any hobbies you enjoy (or used to enjoy)? I have a few that I enjoyed before I crashed at the bottom of a horrible black hole, and I still have the hobbies, but the pleasure isn't the same. I do a lot of yard work and gardening, play the piano, knit, paint houses, shop at thrift stores and window shop online (more than I should). I think that I do have a level of pleasure doing those things by now, after years of therapy, but not like I used to. Depression does depress pleasure, for sure. I hope you have something you can focus on that takes your mind off the negatives. I know that while I'm gardening, I'm not thinking about how depressed I am. Just a thought.

Jim

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 9, 2017

In reply to @brenda61 "Hi Lisa, She just listens to me talk or cry, then says it is hard. She..." + (show)

Hi Jim, @jimhd
You have offered some great thoughts to all who suffer from depression - when you mind and body are active, depression doesn't have the same "hold" as it does when we are inactive!

For me, exercise programs that are group oriented (even on a DVD) work quite nicely. I have one chair-exercise DVD that also has music and is taped in a group exercise class. It is great to use when the weather is bad and I need to be active without getting outside.

I'm wondering what other activities our group has done to keep depression at bay?

Teresa