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.

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thankful | @thankful | Dec 12, 2018
In reply to @guener "From what I know, regarding the treatment of young individuals suffering from depression, physicians/psychiatrists are cautious..." + (show)
@guener

From what I know, regarding the treatment of young individuals suffering from depression, physicians/psychiatrists are cautious about the use of medications due to higher risks of side-effects, including suicidal thoughts, that can result. This suggests it might be all the more useful to consider an opinion that includes genetic testing for drug effectiveness for a full picture of what one's options may be presently and in the future. I have had depression and anxiety issues my whole life, not diagnosed until much later in life at the age of 50, and I cannot imagine my life now without pharmacological aid, but it is a complicated matter when considering drugs, especially potential dependence on some, for youth. With respect to the depression, it might also be useful to consider vitamin D, vitamin B supplements, and light therapy as concomitant adjuncts to antidepressants that might be used. Exercise and a healthy diet are important, too. I'm not aware of how cognitive behavioral therapy has been applied to younger individuals, but for anxiety it is very helpful to me in handling distressing thoughts. All things being said from my part, I am in general agreement that we should not stigmatize anyone for using medication in the treatment of chronic mental illness but rather seek all avenues that may yield success in the treatment of debilitating psychological pressures that may be rooted in our inherited traits as much as by environmental or other factors. Each person is deserving of the most careful and compassionate course of treatments and therapies that may prove useful and all the understanding that we can offer.

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@guener- Thank you for your thoughtful words of experience and wisdom. I concur with all of your suggestions.

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elwooodsdad | @elwooodsdad | Jan 2, 2019

I’m 71. I have dysthymia, so I am always experiencing a base line of depression all the time. Can’t remember when I wasn’t depressed. My late mother was also depressed, and there are indications that this is genetic. I am also male, and am a statistical minority. I am pro-active. I’ve had talk therapy, and an assortment of medication. It’s a bit of a crapshoot. I’m seeing my physician/psychiatrist about issues with a new medication. I find being aggressive about managing these issues helps. Anxiety, suicidal ideation, and all the depression issues are unpleasant, and possibly fatal. Dysthymia presents as a constant, low-level depression, and occasionally presents some more intense experiences. Can’t eliminate the problem, but it can be managed.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 2, 2019
In reply to @elwooodsdad "I’m 71. I have dysthymia, so I am always experiencing a base line of depression all..." + (show)
@elwooodsdad

I’m 71. I have dysthymia, so I am always experiencing a base line of depression all the time. Can’t remember when I wasn’t depressed. My late mother was also depressed, and there are indications that this is genetic. I am also male, and am a statistical minority. I am pro-active. I’ve had talk therapy, and an assortment of medication. It’s a bit of a crapshoot. I’m seeing my physician/psychiatrist about issues with a new medication. I find being aggressive about managing these issues helps. Anxiety, suicidal ideation, and all the depression issues are unpleasant, and possibly fatal. Dysthymia presents as a constant, low-level depression, and occasionally presents some more intense experiences. Can’t eliminate the problem, but it can be managed.

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@elwoodsdad- I hear you. They symptoms are horrible. When we are aggressive with taking care of ourselves it helps for sure. Taking control always does. Keep us up to date, please, after you have a new "try" with new meds.

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