1. < Depression & Anxiety

Depression and Anxiety at an older age

Posted by pjss48 @pjss48, Sep 14, 2018

I am a 70 year old woman who has had depression and anxiety for a long time. It got worse 3 years ago when my husband lost one of his jobs. I panicked and my anxiety increased. I was afraid to do things. like driving. I have arthritis pretty bad and foot problems. I'm a Christian and my faith has helped me. My husband was a pastor and our church closed 3 months ago. We've had continual stress. Sometimes I don't know what to do with myself during the day. I've gotten help from several doctors, including a psychiatrist. I also have IBS. I am better. I'm taking trazadone duloxetine, remeron and xanax. Also on osteo biflex, probiotic , bentyl and celebrex. I want to get on Sam e but it may interact with one of my meds. Thanks for listening.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 1, 2019
In reply to @pearlbaby7 "I agree to trying volunteering. If it works for you that's great! However please don't feel..." + (show)
@pearlbaby7

I agree to trying volunteering. If it works for you that's great! However please don't feel bad if it's more than you can handle. Sometimes we're in a place where you can't spare any of what you have inside.
I read that when you volunteer and think of other people instead of yourself your depression will get better. So I tried. It made things worse and piled guilt on top of everything else.
If it's too much for you now do not feel guilty. You may be up to it in the future.
You have to take care of yourself in order to have anything you can share with others.
Just my two cents...

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@pearlbaby7 Sorry to hear that volunteering didn't work out for you when you tried it. I agree you need to be in the right spot mentally to feel good about it. For me, when someone else has "volunteered" me, or a situation changes, I easily become disappointed, or upset at the whole thing.
Ginger

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Judy mcd | @judymcd | Mar 2, 2019

I go out and pick up trash in neighbor hood. this got me out of house and I learned to know my neighbors. Try It.

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2 replies
Parus | @parus | Mar 2, 2019
In reply to @judymcd "I go out and pick up trash in neighbor hood. this got me out of house..." + (show)
@judymcd

I go out and pick up trash in neighbor hood. this got me out of house and I learned to know my neighbors. Try It.

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@judymcd I have done this too.

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 2, 2019
In reply to @judymcd "I go out and pick up trash in neighbor hood. this got me out of house..." + (show)
@judymcd

I go out and pick up trash in neighbor hood. this got me out of house and I learned to know my neighbors. Try It.

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Can't get through the grass in my wheelchair.

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @pearlbaby7 "Can't get through the grass in my wheelchair." + (show)
@pearlbaby7

Can't get through the grass in my wheelchair.

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@pearlbaby7 Picking up trash would not work well at all for you. I appreciate your honesty. I gave up on trying to volunteer. I do well to keep the things done that I need to do. Are you always in a wheelchair?

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1 reply
1mountaingirl86 | @1mountaingirl86 | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@rosegold I’m not going to add my Amen because I don’t think it’s appropriate. It’s not..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@rosegold
I’m not going to add my Amen because I don’t think it’s appropriate.
It’s not what comes to you that’s important but how you handle the situations that come to you that’s important. Grief, tragedy, agony, sorrow, sadness and unhappiness unfortunately are going to continue to be a part of our lives.
People shouldn’t be afraid of failing but looking forward to rejoicing in their achievements. Granted achievements don’t come easily but nothing worthwhile ever does.
Life is so wondrous. Get high on life not drugs. They can’t cure you, but you do have the ability of curing yourself. The most fulfilling part of my life was when I was helping others. I volunteered at various places. I ran a swimming program for 1,000 children we taught to swim at the
Y.M.C.A. Worked at hospital, Police Dept, Homeless Shelter and to my neighbors dismay brought a homeless family home that I got to know. Washed their clothes, let them take showers, fixed them a meal.
Like I always say, ‘You only get out of life what your willing to put into it.
Best wishes,
Jake

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If we all had your ideology on life ----- wouldn't it be great - but Jake, all of us aren't like you -- so take that for what it is! You sound like a "gifted" person high on life but don't try to pontificate your ideas if you don't know what you're talking about. Depression and anxiety are real for so many of us -- maybe if you got out from your high on life attitude inside your cucoon you would see what life is like from a totally different perceptive. Mountaingirl

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Parus | @parus | Mar 3, 2019

@1mountaingirl86 Nicely stated. There are pompous people in this life and I have known my share.
Thank you for your words and I will a give hearty “AMEN”! You saved me going into arrogance and denial once again.

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1 reply
Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @parus "@pearlbaby7 Picking up trash would not work well at all for you. I appreciate your honesty...." + (show)
@parus

@pearlbaby7 Picking up trash would not work well at all for you. I appreciate your honesty. I gave up on trying to volunteer. I do well to keep the things done that I need to do. Are you always in a wheelchair?

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Thank you for the support. You also underlined what I was trying to say in an earlier post: sometimes it takes everything you have to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and medically. Do not feel guilty for these times. Volunteer when you can.
I can still transfer from my chair to another seat as long as I have something stable to hold on to. That can be a big deal at the doctor's office and is critical at home as I live alone. Thank you for asking.

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @parus "@1mountaingirl86 Nicely stated. There are pompous people in this life and I have known my share...." + (show)
@parus

@1mountaingirl86 Nicely stated. There are pompous people in this life and I have known my share.
Thank you for your words and I will a give hearty “AMEN”! You saved me going into arrogance and denial once again.

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There have been times I've judged others when I didn't know or understand what was happening in their life. This reminds me to check myself before assuming I know the answers. You know the old joke, "People who think they know it all are really irritating to those of us who do". Sometimes I put myself in the last group. Please call me on it when I do but please be gentle. I'm more fragile than I usually like to admit.
I appreciate you all so much!

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 3, 2019

All- with so many posts on Connect, please if you will, address your reply to the person who you wish to reply to. It's just much easier to follow. I don't want to miss anyone's comments because you all have a lot of important things to say! Thank you
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

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