Depression and Anxiety at an older age

@jake- I'm also going to step in here. You are simply wrong in this case. You can not give medical advice to anyone's specific illness or disease, nor prescribe medications. This is exactly what you did without giving a prescription out. You were specific in the names and doses. Questioning your doctor and going against his advice is fine for you to do, but it isn't fine to suggest that others do that. Actually it's dangerous because, no matter how much you think that you know, you just don't know enough to do this without a medical license. You can tell people what has worked for you. It's like being highly religious and telling someone the right way to pray- you just can't do that.
Jake if you can't distinguish between what is advice and what is medical advice then just stop giving it out.
It's not up to you to cure the medical field's woes. Do it for yourself but not for others.

@colleenyoung
Hello Colleen,
I believe your post may have been initiated by my post to chinchuck.
I understand you have an obligation to protect Mayo Clinic and the integrity of Connect and I believe you do a suburb job. Okay here it comes, However, I’d like to mention a couple of things.
You state “Never disregard professional medical advice,” I vehemently disagree with that statement. First, medical professionals are not infallible, not even at the Mayo Clinic. If I didn’t disregard professional medical advice I’d be dead as would my Dad and numerous other people I know, me from the amount of Barbiturates I was told to take, My Dad from a brain tumor which 3 or 4 doctors said he didn’t have.
I believe you should always question medical advice and disregard what you have reason to believe may not be accurate or dangerous. I feel that medical errors being the third leading cause of death in the United States, I believe adds credence to my assertion.
Apparently I don’t understand when something is considered medical advice verses knowledge, common sense, suggestions, recommendations etc etc. I give individuals credit to know we are not professionals. Perhaps in your capacity your not afforded the same.
Hopefully you can expand you thoughts on the guidelines.
All help appreciated,
Jake

Hi @jakedduck1 Thank you for sharing your point of view and giving me the opportunity to elaborate. I concur with your statement that patients have the right to question medical advice. You are the expert in you. You are a partner in your care. Thus to question and evaluate is your responsibility. Everyone must carefully vet and evaluate what they read online, learn from online forums like this one as much as they evaluate the advice given to them by family, friends and neighbors. Likewise, it is an activated patient who asks questions of their medical professionals in order to make informed and shared decisions. Getting second opinions can also play an important role in decision making about care.

I agree with @gingerw that the context of the statement must be considered in full "Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community." The information shared on the community can be used to help initiate discussions with medical professionals, to question, to bring forward new approaches, research or ideas, or to seek a second opinion.

Always question and ask questions. Decisions are ultimately yours to make.

Not every member, especially someone new to the community, knows that Connect is a patient-to-patient forum. Sometimes, people come specifically for the Q&As with providers https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinars/ Thus, you'll notice many members will preface their responses with phrases like "I'm not a doctor, but what worked for me..." We share our experiences, tips and knowledge within the context of our experience. And here I agree with you again, Jake. Patients and family caregivers know things. They know a lot about their conditions, treatments and living with chronic illness. They learn first-hand how to navigate the tangled health care system and how to manage their health at home. As patients and fellow travelers, we can share, learn, teach, and advise. But we cannot tell people what they should or must medically do. Therefore, I appreciate it when you phrase your advice as "you may want to try XXX" as you have done.

Hi @jakedduck1 Thank you for sharing your point of view and giving me the opportunity to elaborate. I concur with your statement that patients have the right to question medical advice. You are the expert in you. You are a partner in your care. Thus to question and evaluate is your responsibility. Everyone must carefully vet and evaluate what they read online, learn from online forums like this one as much as they evaluate the advice given to them by family, friends and neighbors. Likewise, it is an activated patient who asks questions of their medical professionals in order to make informed and shared decisions. Getting second opinions can also play an important role in decision making about care.

I agree with @gingerw that the context of the statement must be considered in full "Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community." The information shared on the community can be used to help initiate discussions with medical professionals, to question, to bring forward new approaches, research or ideas, or to seek a second opinion.

Always question and ask questions. Decisions are ultimately yours to make.

Not every member, especially someone new to the community, knows that Connect is a patient-to-patient forum. Sometimes, people come specifically for the Q&As with providers https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinars/ Thus, you'll notice many members will preface their responses with phrases like "I'm not a doctor, but what worked for me..." We share our experiences, tips and knowledge within the context of our experience. And here I agree with you again, Jake. Patients and family caregivers know things. They know a lot about their conditions, treatments and living with chronic illness. They learn first-hand how to navigate the tangled health care system and how to manage their health at home. As patients and fellow travelers, we can share, learn, teach, and advise. But we cannot tell people what they should or must medically do. Therefore, I appreciate it when you phrase your advice as "you may want to try XXX" as you have done.

@gingerw Thank you for your words. I have found the more I try to rid myself of the negative thoughts the more they can become on the front lines. I can say that some things have improved. These mental health things do not totally rob me of joy and this is a good thing. It is work to rethink the old thoughts. Being in the fight/flight mode can take a toll.

Thanks for sharing your story. I am 71 and have suffered from chronic depression for many years. I was severely depressed for more than ten years and was on four mood altering medications at the same time without relief. My depression made a turn for the better after reading a book by David D Burns: "Feeling Good". I do not know David Burns and have no association with him or the sale of his books. But I tell you, this book turned my life around and that was more than ten years ago. I remain in therapy. Talk therapy, medications, and reading good books like the one I just described work best for me.

Boy do I get trying to work up to taking a shower. I’m trying to make myself get on the treadmill first. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and let the world go on without me. I’m so full of depression and anxiety.

@jakedduck1 @lioness Volunteering in a situation that you enjoy can be so rewarding. It can be behind the scenes of in front. Alone or in a group. Results of your time evident right then, or later. Either one works to make you feel good and make a difference. In my volunteering over the years, I have done adult literacy, quilting or crocheting items, animal organizations, ham radio work, and law enforcement support.
Ginger