georgette I was impressed on how you went out of the box of treatments to find a way to deal with your illnesses. I to am a student of finding anyway to resolve emotional and physical ailments. I take suppliments for medical issues and have gone to acupuncturists for also was ails me and chiropracters. The latter has worked by the acupuncturists have not. The suppliments have work and continue to do so . Even if my doctors turn their noses down to it. But as they said if it doesn't hurt than continue. I am glad that you found this group where talking about what ever you want to get put you in touch with people like yourself and can share many stories. And like me have found the conversations enlisting and helpful. So keep up the fight and open up to connect and hopefully you will find it helpful.
I have suffered from Major Depressive Disorder since I was a child. Combining that with aging almost made me give up. I found, however, that there are things that help. I am on antidepressants that help, but most of my help comes from people. I have an excellent therapist that took a long time to find ans she helped me find my way out of the smog of depression. Because of her and a caseworker I finally started living again. Talk to people.
Didgi2175
I too have physical and mental issues. My mental health is all over the place. Right now I am having a lot of anxiety and suffer not only mental issues(depression too) but have very minimal support and only a couple of friends who don’t really want to talk about it and one doesn’t get it at all-what it is like. My husband pretty much doesn’t really want to know anything. My children all live away and I get the impression that they think it is all in my head-they think I am fine. I want to give up…..
Sounds like you really need an antidepressant like me. I really agree with someone on here that depression is genetic. 3 of my 4 sisters take antidepressants. I have been on them since the late 80's. I am now 79. I halved it 6 months ago but found I was spending too much energy preparing for the next anxiety attack so went back up. I am fortunate that I have a partner that listens to my issues as I do his and friends that we are completely open too. 50 years ago our culture was more religious and we all felt safer and secure....even though in the midst of the cold war. Now we have had 50 more years of education and knowledge and most of us no longer can believe what we were taught about a God who takes care of us. We have grown up!. Now we have to learn how to be self-confident and take care of ourselves. This is maturity. Please see your doctor and start on an antidepressant. Give it 2 to 3 weeks to kick in. I was amazed at what a different it made. I no longer had suicidal thoughts. I saw the world and myself from a more compassionate view. You will get better. Go for it please.
My name is Connie. I am 79, and divorced. I live alone. I have had recurring clinical depression since 1966. I usually experience episodes of depression during or right after long periods of stress. Right now, I am being treated by a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is not much of a therapist, but at least she can prescribe my meds. I had an excellent therapist for many years. She retired a few years ago. I can still see her at her home office, but I have to pay her full fee out of pocket. I have Medicare, plus a supplemental policy, but she is not a provider for Medicare. If things get really rough for me, I sometimes get an appointment with her. She knows me well, and knows a lot about my son's condition. She is always able to help me with good and practical suggestions and therapy.
I have a son, age 44, who has bipolar disorder with schizoaffective features. He is a compliant patient, and works well with his professional team. Lithium was an effective and helpful medication for him, and he took it for 27 years, along with other meds. He had to stop taking lithium in Jan. of 2022, because it was damaging his kidneys. Since then, his bipolar disorder has been much more difficult to manage. He has been hospitalized during serious episodes 9 times. 2025 was an especially difficult year for my son. He was hospitalized 3 different times, mainly for severe depression with suicidal ideation, and he was in a residential treatment program for about 10 days. During his 3rd hospitalization, he had ECT treatments for the first time. He continued his treatments as an out patient after discharge, and had a total of 13 treatments. He was not a rapid responder, but did eventually get considerable relief from the ECT treatments. Right now, he is having more difficulty with mania than he had during the years when he was able to take lithium. He currently takes 5 or 6 different meds, under close supervision from his out patient psychiatrist. He has severe sleep issues, and his circadian rhythm is disrupted much of the time. I love my son and care deeply about his well being, I am proud of him that he is relatively high functioning, in spite of all his challenges and his heavy load of medication. He is a caring, loving, and giving person. When he is not doing well, my concern for him results in stress for me. Long term stress often is a trigger for depression for me. I have just joined Mayo Connect today, and am learning about the different support groups that are available. I am hoping to find a support group on line for family members and friends of people with bipolar disorder. I have no support or understanding from my immediate family in dealing with my son's illness and his challenges. I had a very dear cousin who was wonderful support for my son and for me, but she passed away in Jan. of 2024.
My name is Connie. I am 79, and divorced. I live alone. I have had recurring clinical depression since 1966. I usually experience episodes of depression during or right after long periods of stress. Right now, I am being treated by a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is not much of a therapist, but at least she can prescribe my meds. I had an excellent therapist for many years. She retired a few years ago. I can still see her at her home office, but I have to pay her full fee out of pocket. I have Medicare, plus a supplemental policy, but she is not a provider for Medicare. If things get really rough for me, I sometimes get an appointment with her. She knows me well, and knows a lot about my son's condition. She is always able to help me with good and practical suggestions and therapy.
I have a son, age 44, who has bipolar disorder with schizoaffective features. He is a compliant patient, and works well with his professional team. Lithium was an effective and helpful medication for him, and he took it for 27 years, along with other meds. He had to stop taking lithium in Jan. of 2022, because it was damaging his kidneys. Since then, his bipolar disorder has been much more difficult to manage. He has been hospitalized during serious episodes 9 times. 2025 was an especially difficult year for my son. He was hospitalized 3 different times, mainly for severe depression with suicidal ideation, and he was in a residential treatment program for about 10 days. During his 3rd hospitalization, he had ECT treatments for the first time. He continued his treatments as an out patient after discharge, and had a total of 13 treatments. He was not a rapid responder, but did eventually get considerable relief from the ECT treatments. Right now, he is having more difficulty with mania than he had during the years when he was able to take lithium. He currently takes 5 or 6 different meds, under close supervision from his out patient psychiatrist. He has severe sleep issues, and his circadian rhythm is disrupted much of the time. I love my son and care deeply about his well being, I am proud of him that he is relatively high functioning, in spite of all his challenges and his heavy load of medication. He is a caring, loving, and giving person. When he is not doing well, my concern for him results in stress for me. Long term stress often is a trigger for depression for me. I have just joined Mayo Connect today, and am learning about the different support groups that are available. I am hoping to find a support group on line for family members and friends of people with bipolar disorder. I have no support or understanding from my immediate family in dealing with my son's illness and his challenges. I had a very dear cousin who was wonderful support for my son and for me, but she passed away in Jan. of 2024.
@conniey Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Your post is one of strength, and how you have managed over the years.
I don't know what state you live in, but check with the National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/
They are a wonderful resource for information and support.
Will you let me know what you find out?
Ginger
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I have suffered from Major Depressive Disorder since I was a child. Combining that with aging almost made me give up. I found, however, that there are things that help. I am on antidepressants that help, but most of my help comes from people. I have an excellent therapist that took a long time to find ans she helped me find my way out of the smog of depression. Because of her and a caseworker I finally started living again. Talk to people.
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Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsSounds like you really need an antidepressant like me. I really agree with someone on here that depression is genetic. 3 of my 4 sisters take antidepressants. I have been on them since the late 80's. I am now 79. I halved it 6 months ago but found I was spending too much energy preparing for the next anxiety attack so went back up. I am fortunate that I have a partner that listens to my issues as I do his and friends that we are completely open too. 50 years ago our culture was more religious and we all felt safer and secure....even though in the midst of the cold war. Now we have had 50 more years of education and knowledge and most of us no longer can believe what we were taught about a God who takes care of us. We have grown up!. Now we have to learn how to be self-confident and take care of ourselves. This is maturity. Please see your doctor and start on an antidepressant. Give it 2 to 3 weeks to kick in. I was amazed at what a different it made. I no longer had suicidal thoughts. I saw the world and myself from a more compassionate view. You will get better. Go for it please.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy name is Connie. I am 79, and divorced. I live alone. I have had recurring clinical depression since 1966. I usually experience episodes of depression during or right after long periods of stress. Right now, I am being treated by a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is not much of a therapist, but at least she can prescribe my meds. I had an excellent therapist for many years. She retired a few years ago. I can still see her at her home office, but I have to pay her full fee out of pocket. I have Medicare, plus a supplemental policy, but she is not a provider for Medicare. If things get really rough for me, I sometimes get an appointment with her. She knows me well, and knows a lot about my son's condition. She is always able to help me with good and practical suggestions and therapy.
I have a son, age 44, who has bipolar disorder with schizoaffective features. He is a compliant patient, and works well with his professional team. Lithium was an effective and helpful medication for him, and he took it for 27 years, along with other meds. He had to stop taking lithium in Jan. of 2022, because it was damaging his kidneys. Since then, his bipolar disorder has been much more difficult to manage. He has been hospitalized during serious episodes 9 times. 2025 was an especially difficult year for my son. He was hospitalized 3 different times, mainly for severe depression with suicidal ideation, and he was in a residential treatment program for about 10 days. During his 3rd hospitalization, he had ECT treatments for the first time. He continued his treatments as an out patient after discharge, and had a total of 13 treatments. He was not a rapid responder, but did eventually get considerable relief from the ECT treatments. Right now, he is having more difficulty with mania than he had during the years when he was able to take lithium. He currently takes 5 or 6 different meds, under close supervision from his out patient psychiatrist. He has severe sleep issues, and his circadian rhythm is disrupted much of the time. I love my son and care deeply about his well being, I am proud of him that he is relatively high functioning, in spite of all his challenges and his heavy load of medication. He is a caring, loving, and giving person. When he is not doing well, my concern for him results in stress for me. Long term stress often is a trigger for depression for me. I have just joined Mayo Connect today, and am learning about the different support groups that are available. I am hoping to find a support group on line for family members and friends of people with bipolar disorder. I have no support or understanding from my immediate family in dealing with my son's illness and his challenges. I had a very dear cousin who was wonderful support for my son and for me, but she passed away in Jan. of 2024.
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1 Reaction@conniey Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Your post is one of strength, and how you have managed over the years.
I don't know what state you live in, but check with the National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/
They are a wonderful resource for information and support.
Will you let me know what you find out?
Ginger
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Helpful -
Hug
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