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Dearest Annie, I am so sorry you spend your time in fear. Please make sure you share all of those feelings with your doctor, and make a point of asking him about the meds and their consequences. If you can, you may wish to talk with a psychological counselor other than your physician, in order to get a different perspective and some helpful tips. This is another reason depression is so difficult when it strikes us as Seniors -- it is easy for us to believe there will be no end. But do not accept that! If you attend church, spend some time with your pastor and let him help you gain some positive thoughts. If you do not attend church, get a friend or relative to introduce you to a good pastor they know. Find a hobby where you are making or designing something. One thing this will do is perk you up when you have done a good job and you are proud of the outcome. It also keeps your mind occupied and productive. I hope there is someone close to you who can listen to your circumstances and provide support. If not, look for someone -- befriend a neighbor, find a group to join, do some pleasing volunteer work if you are able. You need a distraction, so that you will not dwell on your fears. You have taken a good step by writing your thoughts here, and I hope you will continue. Please know that, although we are not acquainted, I care about you. I want you to be content for the rest of your life! God bless you always.
Replies to "Dearest Annie, I am so sorry you spend your time in fear. Please make sure you..."
Yes, you speak for many of us who would prefer to be drug free. However, I've learned that depression and anxiety are often caused by certain missing chemicals in the brain and the meds given to deal with depression just help to make up for those missing chemicals and thereby we feel better.
I sort of compare it to an epileptic taking anti-seizure drugs or a diabetic using insulin. You are just making up for what your body lacks. For some reason, however, mental health meds carry a certain stigma that seizure meds or insulin do not have and that is so unfortunate!
Teresa
That is so true. It makes you feel like a person that is weak. I am trying to learn that a person that finally accepts the fact they need meds is a strong person. It takes a lot of strength and courage to say "I need help" the thing that bothers me is relying on habit forming drugs that is sometimes necessary..
My heart goes out to you lovetoall. Praying for you to have strength, peace and a better future.
@hopeful33250 Well said Teresa!
Hi, @kdo0827 , I want to thank you for your insight and your comments on this complicated subject. It helps me so much to know that I am not the only one who gets depressed. I am on two different medications, Cymbalta, for Depression and Fibromyalgia, and Wellbutrin, for "breakthrough" Depression." At the moment I am questioning myself if the breakthrough depression is made worse by Lyrica. Lyrica has been a lifesaver for me. I have not been taking it that long. There are situational obstacles and issues which contribute to the Depression. My husband's health is pretty fragile, and we are not able to travel like we had wanted. I am always on a diet, and so is he. We both have weight that we must get rid of. We are both horrid about exercising, even though we are members of a gym. So I guess you could say we are kind of stuck. His natural state is pretty melancholy. We used to call him Eyeore. And then there's the pain. Even with medication I always have a certain amount of pain. I like meeting everyone here in this forum, because if we all lived close to each other, I'd probably hurt too much and talk myself out of attending a meeting! Thanks again for sharing!
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I am 54. I am a stay at home grandma on disability. I’m married to my high school sweetie for 35 years and have 2 daughters, 2 granddaughters and an infant grandson. I take care of my mom who has dementia as well. I want so badly to get out of this depression and enjoy life.