Long-term depression

@pearlbaby7 That puts you in quite the quandary, doesn't it? I do force myself out the door, even if it is to simply go to the store. Most days I want nothing to do with people. Years ago it came to me that if I get involved in something I like [crochet, Tai Chi or quilting for example] and find a small group, there is something to focus away from myself. I learned to avoid answering questions that make me uncomfortable, while realizing sometimes people just want to be friendly. Too many personal questions will have me running away.
Ginger

Hi pearlbaby
I wonder if you might enjoy being a telephone volunteer from home. You could google for agencies that need people to do that- maybe the Cancer Society or home nursing agencies for example. It would put you in touch with others and maybe help you feel more positive about yourself. Also if there is a transhelp in your area maybe you could use it to get out occasioally - maybe to a seniors' centre (if you are a senior) for example. Just a few thoughts for what it's worth. I am so sorry that your neighbour is sometimes mean to you. Have you thought of gently telling her how much it hurts you?
Best wishes
Ainsleigh

Good evening, @georgette12, just checking in with you to see how you are doing. I found your post delightful as wrll as insightful. I prefer to communicate with others by the written word, actually. I have become close to people I have "met" in social groups I have grown quite fond of the people I have met here at Mayo Clinic Connect.
We get to be part of each other's lives in a very real way. I find myself wondering if someone was able to locate a specialist or how their surgery went. I am a counselor of sorts, in the "real world." And I have depression off and on. Today I told myself that it's ok to be depressed but I will not be sad about it. Not today. It is alright to say that I am depressed. The stigma of mental illness needs to be broken. And today, I didn't care who knew it. I was willing to be vulnerable. Thanks to posts like yours.
Good to "talk"to you! TTYL!
Mamacita

@pearlbaby7 I am sorry your neighbor called you lazy and said negative things to you. Maybe she thought it would motivate you as some people can be this way in their attempts to get someone to help themselves. Being in a wheelchair would present difficulties in getting out as well. Many people think that those with depression are lazy and are wanting attention and pity. Sorry this is happening to you.

Hi there, @gingerw and @pearlbpearlbaby7 ! Gpod afternoon and how are you? I am pretty good, as I seem to be undetstanding how pain, physial pain, can lesd to depression and anxiety.

I wore my brace today, which seemed to help with the muscle spasms which begin around 11am every day. I drove the Granny Scooter st Publix. With no shame at all.
I am starting to take more of an interest in getting out and doing things. But only with small groups. I don't like the discussions that typically come up. How many childten do you have? What do they do? Hard to answer questions like that when you have a disabled daughter who has a sketchy past that involved drug use.

We are raising her son, who is a wonderful young man. He is kind, smart, funny, and loves animals. We have an excellent home school and are very excited about the upcoming year.

If I can ever pierce through this brain fog of depression and fibromyalgia, I may see the light again. I appreciate. Every person here, and thank you all for sharing your story.

I will be strong, and I will grow, and find better ways to deal with the anxiety I have from being with people. Some days it is. not an issue at all. Then there are other days that I am very sensitive. I can say what I feel here. And not be judged What a blessing you are!
Hoping to hear from you sometime!
Mamacita

@parus @gingerw @ainsleigh @mamacita
Thank you all for the support! It really means a lot to me, especially on the "hard" days.
I had an opportunity to educate my neighbor a little this week. I told her I sent an email to CBS (which I did) and told them I was tired of the news always saying that mass shooters did their deeds because they were depressed. I told them and my neighbor that people that were seriously depressed had trouble getting out of bed let alone trying to get out the door. Hopefully she will think about it and realize that most days I'm "half there". I'm sitting up and talking. ☺
I have thought of scheduling the paratransit van to take me to the senior center to learn a new craft or game. If I get a couple days of some energy I may do that.
Talking on the phone is sometimes more than I can handle so commiting to that would probably cause me stress.
@mamacita I understand how questions can get awkward. I'd just say she's disabled and comment on something going on in the room to change the subject. Your daughter's past is none of their business. If they ask about things they shouldn't you could try the President's method and pretend they didn't say anything. It seems to work for tje President.
My daughter's 25 and hasn't contacted me for 3 years. I check with her dad now and then to make sure she's doing OK.
You did give me a chuckle calling it a granny scooter. I've just been calling it a scooter. I had to make my peace with using one a few years ago.
I appreciate all of you and wish everyone a sunny heart for the holiday weekend!

@pearlbaby7, you made me smile! I wish you could have seen us at the store. Grannyscooters piled high with groceries have a tendency to wear down the battery. I barely made it to the check out counter. And all we got were ingredients and household items! Nothing really special. Hope you have a relaxing weekend and store up some energy for an enjoyable activity later on in the week. For myself, I get to travel with my friend to the University Hospital system, where she will undergo tests. I used to live there a ling time ago, so it is nice to go back, even if it is for doctor's appointments. Cheerio!
Mamacita

@mamacita
That reminds me of the time I was shopping in Walmart at midnight and my scooter battery died right in the middle of the store. I kept waiting for someone to come by so I could ask them to bring me another scooter. Eventually I gave up and started using my better leg to push myself along to the front of the store. That had to be hysterical to watch. It made me laugh. Boy, was my leg tired!

@pearlbaby7 I understand what you mean about making phone calls. There are calls I need to make and it is far "too big" and no matter how hard I try I cannot make a phone call.
My 37 year old daughter has estranged herself and I do not know why. We were once close. She suffers with depression and maybe it is too much to even respond to a text.
Good for you getting out even if you felt rather foolish. Takes strength and courage.
I have oft thought about ignorant others are about mental illness-My input is that people watch too many crime shows as well as the ignorance of the news. Good for you letting CBS know how you feel!!!!

@parus @pearlbaby7 It seems like a "safe" thing to ascribe to the theory that someone has mental illness, and I find people tossing that phrase around so much. Like you, I believe it is the results of the TV shows that spout psychobabble because some want to hear it, not that they understand it. Does that make sense? I know for a fact that I have experienced deep depression, that I am on the autism spectrum, and that I see/react to the world in different ways than most around me. But it doesn't fit into a neatly defined box. That's okay, neither do I. And I'm ok with that. Like the popular phrase is, "be your most awesome self".