Dealing with anxiety, depression and chronic stress

@kndaustin71 I All I am saying is this lady needs to see a doctor. Psychologist, psychiatrist, PCP someone. So they can examine her and maybe send her to a specialist or just need special attention that we do not know what she needs. She needs to be seen. Did not mean to say she needed meds. That would be the last thing but she was reaching out and she needs to be seen by some sort of doctor. Again you don't know unless you're over 65 and have had depression and anxiety and been disabled for it what it does to your body. My chest used to pump out so bad I thought it was having a heart attack. How do we know how bad this lady is anxiety-ridden and depressed? She needs to see a doctor bottom line. BTW it is the doctor that makes the decision and herself and her family.

I am 76 and have not only panic attacks but terror attacks so am very much aware! Plus I’m a retired Director of Nurses, very involved in my patients care in helping the patient, family informed consent on medication management. This is my last post on the subject!

Good for you for reaching out. I know that I sued to see my life as a fragmented situations or actions that I had until I started recovering from my from drug use and really liked at my last and how I go to where I was/am. Seeing my life as a long chain where one action or situation caused some change that lead me to another action or situation finally made sense. Then the issue was the break that chain and nonlinear have myself tethered to my past.
I don’t know if this helps but good luck to you, Ellen.
Carmen

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@ellenkolnes, I add my welcome to the helpful and supportive responses you've received from fellow members. You are not alone. There are many here who live with decades of anxiety and depression. You might be interested in these related discussions:
- Depression and Anxiety at an older age https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-anxiety-at-an-older-age/
- Depression: What treatment can I try after so many years?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/when-you-are-much-older/

I can imagine that over the years you have tried many things to manage your anxiety and depression. What has worked for you in the past? What is different now?

That's too many questions. Let's start with - how are you doing today?

@colleenyoung

My anxiety is better today. Right now I am dealing with a lot of medical issues. Such as, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal problems. The most important at this point in time is pain management. The pain is in my right leg, starting at buttocks all the way down to foot. I’ve had a MRI of my cervical spine, showing multi level areas of degenerative changes that are age related. I also have areas of spinal stenosis. However my doctor said that he doesn’t believe these are causing my pain. I am scheduled for another MRI of the lumbar spine in a few days. Hopefully I’ll get some answers. The pain is not constant, comes and goes. I use NSAIDS for pain.
Any ideas?

@synthiame
Hi, thank you for responding. I guess I need to go into more detail about my journey. I began seeing a psychiatrist shortly after my son was seriously injured when he was 8 years old. I was molested as a child and I didn’t remember at that time. My husband was an alcoholic.
I had severe depression and anxiety. I have tried so many different medications, hospitalization 8 times/lifetime. The psychiatrist was a psychoanalyst. I saw him for 17 years. Moved to another state and continued to seek help. I tried ECT, THEY Couldn’t get me to seize. And so on. I finally found a therapist who was fantastic! I still see him once in a while. As for medication, I’ve tried so many different kinds. No miracle cure there. However I wouldn’t have made it without them.

@ellenkolnes I'm sorry for what has happened to you and your family. I have tried ECT too and TMS without help. I have gone through sexual abuse PTSD, domestic violence and life. I too have tried all kinds of medications and I am trying to get off a lot. Some of course you have to take like statins or blood pressure medication. I'm not recommending medication for you I was just feeling your pain. I don't know what else to tell you but hang in there. And I'm glad you do see a therapist/doctor. Good luck to you and if you ever want to talk privately let me know. Hope you feel better somehow and I will be thinking of you

@joetex I agree wholeheartedly! Seroquel and Wellbutrin was my "magic potion" that enabled me to have a successful career in IT, maintain friendships, and be a good wife and mother.

I am now retired and take Zoloft and Lorazapam as needed. I have always worked with a psychiatrist to taper off a medicine and had no problems.

wow, you have a way of just getting their quickly. Thank you for that and welcome to the group. I read your post and yes have thought about it since yesterday. Looking back i am going to have to say that yes i have had the same feeling since i was in my youth. I will be 70 this year and on occasion i see a post that hits home like this one. to say the very least i can look back and see how it came to be a part of me. Wish it had not but that's life. Thank you for the post and i hope you have a blessed day today and many more to follow. I like the response to stay away from added meds and maybe see a counselor. I just recently started to see one for the same conditions and your post gave me more fuel to pass on. Thank you.