1. < Depression & Anxiety

Long-term depression

Posted by seeker70 @seeker70, Oct 11, 2017

I have been depressed, when I think about it, since I was a kid (I"m a senior now!) I have been treated off and on with meds and minimal talk therapy, but nothing changes. In the past it has been underlying but as I grow older it is becoming more intense. People ask: 'why are you depressed? I never get depressed, just get a better attitude'. Or they don't hear my (probably passive-aggressive) cries for help. Or they say: 'what do you have to be depressed about?' Actually although I agree with these opinions to a certain extent, it does not address the problem that depression is not a 'why', not is it a 'choice'. It's almost like being gay, you just are. Maybe I should just accept it (guess that's what I have done for decades 🙂 But I don't want to. I want to feel better now. Earlier in my life I was able to enjoy things, although the depression would keep popping out. But now I seem to have trouble enjoying anything, including my own family, and it's harder and harder to 'push depression down' once it's popped. So I have longer periods of depression and sadness and sleeplessness and lonliness, an shorter periods of being able to enjoy my life. Or want something. Or look forward to anything. I will say too that I have as much to be happy about as I do to be unhappy - but as I said, it's not a 'why'. I'm looking for people to explore this idea, and to help each other begin to overcome. Or maybe it's just me and there's no one else who feels this way -- 😉 Thank you for reading all this.

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

Lorraine | @desirea | Feb 27, 2018
In reply to @parus "Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life...." + (show)
@parus

Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life. Still seeking. Just want to go to bed and not get back up. Maybe tomorrow.

Jump to this post

@parus Hang in there!

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Feb 27, 2018
In reply to @parus "Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life...." + (show)
@parus

Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life. Still seeking. Just want to go to bed and not get back up. Maybe tomorrow.

Jump to this post

@parus

I'm sorry you're feeling so down today. Maybe tomorrow will bring better thoughts and feelings.

Jim

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 27, 2018
In reply to @parus "Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life...." + (show)
@parus

Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life. Still seeking. Just want to go to bed and not get back up. Maybe tomorrow.

Jump to this post

Thinking of you, @parus. Sorry to hear the depression was so extreme today.

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Feb 28, 2018
In reply to @parus "Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life...." + (show)
@parus

Depression extreme today. Very discouraged with no help for pain. Want to have quality of life. Still seeking. Just want to go to bed and not get back up. Maybe tomorrow.

Jump to this post

@parus

I posted a reply to your posts under the Fibromialga section. I asked a few questions on there, so please read it. I'm concerned about your depression. Please let me know how you're doing. Please don't give up. I want to see if you can find some relief and joy in your life here and now.

Warm regards,
Gail B
Volunteer Mentor

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nolongerstressedmesseddepressed | @stressedmesseddepressed | Feb 28, 2018

So sorry to hear of your struggles with depression, as have I struggled with it for probably 30 plus years since my mother died of the dreaded ALS. Suggestion - Consider looking into TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation - it's non-invasive) and some insurances cover it now that it's FDA-approved. For me, other than vigilant and regular medication (Cymbalta 60 mg) and talk therapy with a great therapist, you have to push yourself and get LOTS of physical exercise and nutrition. That helps me but it's still a struggle and I welcome any suggestions for eradicating depression. Also, get and do the exercises, I suggest, the book (suggested to me by a Psychiatrist) called Mind Over Mood (it's on Amazon) by Greenberger and Padesky. Best of luck to us all!

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1 reply
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Feb 28, 2018
In reply to @stressedmesseddepressed "So sorry to hear of your struggles with depression, as have I struggled with it for..." + (show)
@stressedmesseddepressed

So sorry to hear of your struggles with depression, as have I struggled with it for probably 30 plus years since my mother died of the dreaded ALS. Suggestion - Consider looking into TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation - it's non-invasive) and some insurances cover it now that it's FDA-approved. For me, other than vigilant and regular medication (Cymbalta 60 mg) and talk therapy with a great therapist, you have to push yourself and get LOTS of physical exercise and nutrition. That helps me but it's still a struggle and I welcome any suggestions for eradicating depression. Also, get and do the exercises, I suggest, the book (suggested to me by a Psychiatrist) called Mind Over Mood (it's on Amazon) by Greenberger and Padesky. Best of luck to us all!

Jump to this post

@stressedmesseddepressed

All good, practical advice. I'm waiting for warmer weather so I can get outside and move around. With peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet, it's painful to do most exercises. Weeding and planting, etc., don't seem to hurt my feet as much. Maybe I'm not always walking, and the lawns and gardens are softer than sidewalks and store floors. Stretching exercises are easier on the body, too.

Jim

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nolongerstressedmesseddepressed | @stressedmesseddepressed | Feb 28, 2018

Stretching (gently) is great and relaxing! I wish you (and me) joy and great health.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 28, 2018

Hello, @stressedmesseddepressed -- I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You and @jimhd both have a great idea about stretching and its relaxing properties.

I thought you might be interested in some information Mayo Clinic has written on stretching:

- http://mayocl.in/2mbjmDA (stretching essentials)

- http://mayocl.in/2CGZLmg (slide show with guide to stretches)

Is stretching something you practice regularly for your mental (and/or physical) health?

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13 replies
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Feb 28, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hello, @stressedmesseddepressed -- I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You and @jimhd..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hello, @stressedmesseddepressed -- I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You and @jimhd both have a great idea about stretching and its relaxing properties.

I thought you might be interested in some information Mayo Clinic has written on stretching:

- http://mayocl.in/2mbjmDA (stretching essentials)

- http://mayocl.in/2CGZLmg (slide show with guide to stretches)

Is stretching something you practice regularly for your mental (and/or physical) health?

Jump to this post

@lisalucier @stressedmesseddepressed

Our daughter gave us a DVD called Sit and Fit. I think it would be useful - if I ever open up the box and watch it.

Jim

REPLY
nolongerstressedmesseddepressed | @stressedmesseddepressed | Feb 28, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hello, @stressedmesseddepressed -- I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You and @jimhd..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hello, @stressedmesseddepressed -- I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You and @jimhd both have a great idea about stretching and its relaxing properties.

I thought you might be interested in some information Mayo Clinic has written on stretching:

- http://mayocl.in/2mbjmDA (stretching essentials)

- http://mayocl.in/2CGZLmg (slide show with guide to stretches)

Is stretching something you practice regularly for your mental (and/or physical) health?

Jump to this post

Thank you very much for the links. I plan to get back into a regular gentle stretching routine and find it very relaxing and I also heard it can help stave off the loss of mobility and "hunched over" posture of many seniors that stretching could have helped with, that the first thing to go is flexibility. Again, I'm not a doctor, though! Thank you for welcoming me. I am so grateful this forum exists as I can become too isolated - probably partly a by-product of major depressive disorder, and now I have others (plus a therapist) here to share ideas. Grateful!

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