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.

ladybugmg | @ladybugmg | Apr 20, 2018
In reply to @johnsonk "@parus While Im not all that old, I feel old and useless. Long distance significant other..." + (show)
@johnsonk

@parus While Im not all that old, I feel old and useless. Long distance significant other that doesn't need me, no children, feel unwanted and useless at work, cant care about anything long enough to have a real hobby, family lives 5 hrs away, number of true friends countable on one hand, etc. Talk therapy doesn't work anymore. Really the only thing that keeps me going is my dog and a couple of friends. I know how you feel...

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Age-ing and Sage-ing is a wonderful book. I used it years ago to help me through a trying period in my life.

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Parus | @parus | Apr 21, 2018
In reply to @johnsonk "@parus While Im not all that old, I feel old and useless. Long distance significant other..." + (show)
@johnsonk

@parus While Im not all that old, I feel old and useless. Long distance significant other that doesn't need me, no children, feel unwanted and useless at work, cant care about anything long enough to have a real hobby, family lives 5 hrs away, number of true friends countable on one hand, etc. Talk therapy doesn't work anymore. Really the only thing that keeps me going is my dog and a couple of friends. I know how you feel...

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@gailb Appreciate you apologizing and yes, it did sound preachy. I think I handled the "preachy" version well. Mayhap because I have been preached at so much I no longer get all riled about it. You were speaking what you believe and this is okay. We do not know what others have experienced and how our words may affect another.
I will admit that suggesting a self-help book did raise my BP. I have heard others suggesting these types of books and I want to allow my tongue that can be like a letter opener (and no profanity) to start waging. Again, we are not wired the same. I may work on writing a self help book of my own... :). For a long time now I have heard other oldies speaking of a senior moment whereas I say I am having a "sage" moment so when I read age-ing to sage-ing I did get a laugh so it was worth the mention of the book (won't do Amazon and have no kindle [?]) LHM, I am deprived!!!
This is why I would never volunteer to mentor-narian, not me!!! I am a coward and use an alias and this is done so for a valid reason. I do not like being anonymous and I am not ashamed of my identity or wanting to be someone I am not...I do enjoy this community and thankful I gave it a try. I perused many and stayed here. It is designed well and a well designed operated community which shows the staff, etc. work together-this I like and admire.
I assure you I did not take it personally and believe your intent was one of being helpful and likely helped another if I came across as reprimanding or critical I apologize as well.
Shalome

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 23, 2018
In reply to @parus "@lisalucier I would be honored to do so. Where is the best place to do this?..." + (show)
@parus

@lisalucier I would be honored to do so. Where is the best place to do this? I know if it were not for doing art work I would surely stay at the bottom of the vortex. My profile picture is one of my most recent. The weather was bitterly cold and being one who loves nature and the creatures dwelling herein I derive a sense of rest with putting how I feel into pictures. I will post this one in its proper format. It started out as a newborn foal alone on a cold day. I finished it w/o snow as it was only cold. When I finished the painting I looked outside to see horizontal snow. I then added the blowing snow to the painting I thought I had finished. Attached is the before the snow version and then when the snow came. Thus the 1st now only exists as a copy. I like this concept. If it helps another then I have succeeded in some way. Here goes...

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@vdandy -- I really like your idea about the Expressive Arts and was thinking of you and this concept today. Wondering what kinds of visual art and writing you are doing these days?

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 24, 2018
In reply to @parus "Long term depression is nothing more than a death sentence. The constant battle is never ending...." + (show)
@parus

Long term depression is nothing more than a death sentence. The constant battle is never ending. There are no solutions for some. Reality is all there is for some. DNA cannot be a battle that can be won for some. we all do the best we know how. There is no denying genetics.

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Hi, @johnsonk -- that is truly hard to feel like depression is never-ending and being terrified of years of the battle ahead.

Wondering how it's going the last couple of days?

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Kami Johnson | @johnsonk | Apr 25, 2018
In reply to @parus "Long term depression is nothing more than a death sentence. The constant battle is never ending...." + (show)
@parus

Long term depression is nothing more than a death sentence. The constant battle is never ending. There are no solutions for some. Reality is all there is for some. DNA cannot be a battle that can be won for some. we all do the best we know how. There is no denying genetics.

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Eh...a day at a time. Thanks for asking.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 26, 2018
In reply to @parus "Long term depression is nothing more than a death sentence. The constant battle is never ending...." + (show)
@parus

Long term depression is nothing more than a death sentence. The constant battle is never ending. There are no solutions for some. Reality is all there is for some. DNA cannot be a battle that can be won for some. we all do the best we know how. There is no denying genetics.

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That's actually a very realistic attitude, @johnsonk. If months or years feel overwhelming, taking things a day at a time can help a lot.

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Apr 27, 2018

Just saw this. I am not the greatest at keeping up with my email. But I saw this, and recovery from the effects of depression is very important to me. I think that if you are a sensitive, intelligent person, depression can be a situational thing in response to the way our society has evolved. So many things not right in this world. So many memes on social media suggest that depression is easy to fix. Just get a better attitude. Focus on joy. On others. On yourself. On God. And to a certain extent they can be helpful. I am on the Autism Spectrum, and I have a lot of anxiety to deal with because I am very sensitive. I hear too well, see everything, feel everything. Smells, allergies, getting overwhelmed at too much stimuli. But I do have a great deal of happiness in my life, after all these years of trying to figure things out. I have a great counselor who I trust and I see her for a check up every once in a while. I understand myself better and so I protect myself from the things that are hurtful to me as much as possible. I take a fairly low dose of Cymbalta and practice mindfulness There are so many different things that can help. I hope you are feeling better and have found some things that work for you.

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1 reply
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Apr 27, 2018
In reply to @parus "@sharlynn62 I am 66 and there is nothing anyone else can do. It is up to..." + (show)
@parus

@sharlynn62 I am 66 and there is nothing anyone else can do. It is up to me. If I cannot use my CBT skills then what else is there? I am 66 and I do not mention the "D" word to anyone. I feel like a leper in society. I surely will get back on track. Currently I lack the desire to even try. Yup, listening to the depression demon. Native Americans left the tribe when they were no longer of value. Welcome to my pitiful world.

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49% Cherokee and Choctaw here. I have had depression and anxiety since I was a very small child. I am not a member of a tribe yet, because I haven't taken the time to get that part of my life done. Depression is draining. I am so much better than I was. I finally found a really great counselor who believes in me. I practice mindfulness. I pray and meditate. I live gratitude and thankfulness. I have much to be thankful for and try to share what helps me with others. I hope that we have a chance to connect again. We can learn much from each other. We can help each other.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 27, 2018
In reply to @parus "@sharlynn62 I am 66 and there is nothing anyone else can do. It is up to..." + (show)
@parus

@sharlynn62 I am 66 and there is nothing anyone else can do. It is up to me. If I cannot use my CBT skills then what else is there? I am 66 and I do not mention the "D" word to anyone. I feel like a leper in society. I surely will get back on track. Currently I lack the desire to even try. Yup, listening to the depression demon. Native Americans left the tribe when they were no longer of value. Welcome to my pitiful world.

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Hello @mamasitalucita

I so appreciate your sharing your struggles (as well as your tools) for dealing with depression and anxiety. I am so happy for you that you found a counselor who understands you. I am also grateful that you have found the tools of mindfulness, meditation, gratitude and thankfulness to be helpful to you. I think of these as the contents for your tool-bag to help you deal with your depression and anxiety. We probably all have different tools for dealing with these feelings and I'm so glad that you shared yours.

We have a couple of discussion groups dealing with ways of relieving depression and anxiety. Here are links to those discussions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-alternative-treatments/ and https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/doing-things-to-relieve-depression-motivation-and-ideas/

You have added greatly to our group! I look forward to hearing from you again!

Teresa

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 27, 2018

@mamasitalucita

Good points, I appreciate your sharing those thoughts.

Teresa

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