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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motormouth79 | @motormouth79 | Aug 20, 2019

I hear you. Mom says she feels like a burden and we remind her she took care of all of us for so many years and now it’s our turn. We all just want her to be better and know it’s not something she can control. Sometimes tempers flare but we all get back on track pretty quickly. Praying

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Liane | @Liane1 | Aug 28, 2019

For years, I did well on a very small dose of Lexapro. Only recently did I learn that it reduces bone density--I have osteoporosis. Also, I am having memory lapses--some of the research suggests that SSRI's cause memory problems and some articles say they help with memory. I need accurate information for a 66 year old with osteoporosis and memory lapses (with a family history of both osteoporosis and Alzheimers).

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2 replies
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Aug 29, 2019
In reply to @Liane1 "For years, I did well on a very small dose of Lexapro. Only recently did I..." + (show)
@Liane1

For years, I did well on a very small dose of Lexapro. Only recently did I learn that it reduces bone density--I have osteoporosis. Also, I am having memory lapses--some of the research suggests that SSRI's cause memory problems and some articles say they help with memory. I need accurate information for a 66 year old with osteoporosis and memory lapses (with a family history of both osteoporosis and Alzheimers).

Jump to this post

Hi, @Liane1 - I've had memory dips before from a medication, and I felt awfully concerned. What does your doctor say about continuing on the medication, given the possible connection to the memory issue and to bone density loss?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 4, 2019

Hello All:

I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different health topics and this came into my Inbox today. It is about cleaning the kitchen when you feel you are too depressed to do anything. However, the thought occurred to me, when I was reading this article, that it could apply to any task or activity that needs to be done when we are feeling too depressed to take action. Please take a moment to read the article and then share how it makes you feel. Is it something you could use when you feel stuck and not motivated? Please share with me.

https://themighty.com/2018/01/cleaning-depression-kitchen/?
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3 replies
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello All: I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello All:

I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different health topics and this came into my Inbox today. It is about cleaning the kitchen when you feel you are too depressed to do anything. However, the thought occurred to me, when I was reading this article, that it could apply to any task or activity that needs to be done when we are feeling too depressed to take action. Please take a moment to read the article and then share how it makes you feel. Is it something you could use when you feel stuck and not motivated? Please share with me.

https://themighty.com/2018/01/cleaning-depression-kitchen/?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 - I tried out this "cleaning the kitchen" technique yesterday.

I do have depression and anxiety, but they are fairly well controlled with medication. I'm sure I naturally get to work sometimes doing something during time microwaving, but sometimes not. The idea of being proactive and making a small dent in something - putting laundry in the dryer, cleaning the kitchen sink, tidying the counters - during microwaving is a little uplifter. "I just used that time well and got something accomplished."

I often find chunking tasks - working in little bits, and over time - helps me in getting things done and mentally/emotionally. In grad school, many of the degree programs had comprehensive exams for the entire program as a graduation requirement. This is kind of daunting - studying everything from 2 + years. Some of my friends put it off till the last 2 weeks and were panicked. I started about 6 months out devoting an hour a day to studying for comprehensives, and it really helped me to do a solid review and freed me up from anxiety.

REPLY
2 replies
Parus | @parus | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello All: I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello All:

I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different health topics and this came into my Inbox today. It is about cleaning the kitchen when you feel you are too depressed to do anything. However, the thought occurred to me, when I was reading this article, that it could apply to any task or activity that needs to be done when we are feeling too depressed to take action. Please take a moment to read the article and then share how it makes you feel. Is it something you could use when you feel stuck and not motivated? Please share with me.

https://themighty.com/2018/01/cleaning-depression-kitchen/?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Hello back. If it were not for cleaning and keeping things done I surely would feel an utter and complete failure. My daily goal is to keep clutter off of my counters and sink. At least I can see where I have been. At times it seems pointless. Seeing clutter take over is horrifying for me. Laundry is my downfall as I use the community laundry and dread the chore of guarding my laundry as well as cleaning up after others. Maybe they are depressed too. thankful I can do what I can for now.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello All: I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello All:

I hope this finds you feeling well! I subscribe to many emails on different health topics and this came into my Inbox today. It is about cleaning the kitchen when you feel you are too depressed to do anything. However, the thought occurred to me, when I was reading this article, that it could apply to any task or activity that needs to be done when we are feeling too depressed to take action. Please take a moment to read the article and then share how it makes you feel. Is it something you could use when you feel stuck and not motivated? Please share with me.

https://themighty.com/2018/01/cleaning-depression-kitchen/?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Just as @parus mentioned, it is way too easy to let thing accumulate and clutter. While my laptop warms up, clean up something! While my single cup coffee maker is brewing, organize! I hate cleaning, but will tell myself when laundry is going, that is my time to clean. These laminate floors throughout the house are so much nicer than carpet, but they demand a sweep/dry mop every other day, which helps the place look neater. I can then reward myself with reading a chapter [or two] in latest book.
Ginger

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@hopeful33250 Just as @parus mentioned, it is way too easy to let thing accumulate and clutter...." + (show)
@gingerw

@hopeful33250 Just as @parus mentioned, it is way too easy to let thing accumulate and clutter. While my laptop warms up, clean up something! While my single cup coffee maker is brewing, organize! I hate cleaning, but will tell myself when laundry is going, that is my time to clean. These laminate floors throughout the house are so much nicer than carpet, but they demand a sweep/dry mop every other day, which helps the place look neater. I can then reward myself with reading a chapter [or two] in latest book.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Great ideas, @gingerw!

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "@hopeful33250 - I tried out this "cleaning the kitchen" technique yesterday. I do have depression and..." + (show)
@lisalucier

@hopeful33250 - I tried out this "cleaning the kitchen" technique yesterday.

I do have depression and anxiety, but they are fairly well controlled with medication. I'm sure I naturally get to work sometimes doing something during time microwaving, but sometimes not. The idea of being proactive and making a small dent in something - putting laundry in the dryer, cleaning the kitchen sink, tidying the counters - during microwaving is a little uplifter. "I just used that time well and got something accomplished."

I often find chunking tasks - working in little bits, and over time - helps me in getting things done and mentally/emotionally. In grad school, many of the degree programs had comprehensive exams for the entire program as a graduation requirement. This is kind of daunting - studying everything from 2 + years. Some of my friends put it off till the last 2 weeks and were panicked. I started about 6 months out devoting an hour a day to studying for comprehensives, and it really helped me to do a solid review and freed me up from anxiety.

Jump to this post

@lisalucier Thanks, Lisa. I like your phrase, "chunking tasks." It's a good descriptor!

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @parus "@hopeful33250 Hello back. If it were not for cleaning and keeping things done I surely would..." + (show)
@parus

@hopeful33250 Hello back. If it were not for cleaning and keeping things done I surely would feel an utter and complete failure. My daily goal is to keep clutter off of my counters and sink. At least I can see where I have been. At times it seems pointless. Seeing clutter take over is horrifying for me. Laundry is my downfall as I use the community laundry and dread the chore of guarding my laundry as well as cleaning up after others. Maybe they are depressed too. thankful I can do what I can for now.

Jump to this post

@parus I like what you said about thankfulness for what you can do now. Sometimes just being thankful for the energy to be productive (or just clean) can be uplighting!

REPLY
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