Depression and Anxiety at an older age

@woogie I can't give you my address. My husband is a cyber-security. He does not trust people. I know you are a Christian. I get cards from a Christian Card Company too. That's sweet of you to want to sent me a card. You will go to heaven, you believe in Jesus and Have you been baptized? You are lucky to have someone to talk too. I really don't and would like to go to a counselor, but my husband doesn't think I need one. So, I just pray. I'm mostly depressed in the morning and get better doing the day. I have a bible study, but they are on zoom.
God has forgiven all your sins, you just have to ask him. We all sin, especially me. I will tell you what I did on the private messages.
I love you, remember that. I'm sure many loves you. Do you go to church. We are Lutheran and we see on our TV the sermon and music and it's just like being there, but on TV He does do communion on Sunday and there can be only 20 and they are put at distances.
He does several different times during Sunday. Love to you and you are saved. God and Jesus loves you. Jeanie

I see that several of you are asking about starting a new discussion group related to abusive pasts, addiction, PTSD and few other emotional and mental health-related issues. Allow me to give you a brief inventory of Groups and related Discussions that exist:

Group:
- Addiction & Recovery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/addiction-recovery/

Discussions in the Addiction & Recovery group
- Journaling - The Write Stuff For You? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
- Sobriety: Are You Just Surviving or Thriving? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sobriety-are-you-just-surviving-or-thriving/

Group:
Depression & Anxiety https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/

Discussions in the Depression & Anxiety group:
- Depression & self criticism because of conflict with family member https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-depression-1/
- What is Self-acceptance? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-self-acceptance/
- Dealing with a Relationship that has Become Toxic (Gaslighting) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/relationship/

Group:
Mental Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mental-health/

Discussions in the Mental Health group:
- Anyone Else With PTSD? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-else-with-ptsd/
- Living with emotionally challenged family https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-emotionally-challenged-family/

You can also start a new discussion. Be sure to @mention members you wish to invite to join the discussion, whether it is a new discussion or joining an existing discussion.

I have been sober for a month and I do AA. Thank you

Talking about PTSD, past abuses, and ways to cope, is part of a thread in the Mental Health discussion group. Here is a link that you may find beneficial:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-else-with-ptsd/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header
@laurry @nanashelly @lolaemma @woogie @jimhd Ginger

One of our volunteer mentors, @sueinmn, posted a couple of tips for coping. She gave me permission to share.
Here is the entire post in the "Let's Go Walking". We often morph in to different subjects while we virtually walk! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lets-go-walking-join-me-for-a-virtual-walking-support-group/?pg=146#comment-421507

And here are the words in that post:
"Here are the "5 things for 5 senses" it came down from my daughter's therapist when she was struggling. The point is to be "in the present" – what you are experiencing at the moment. Needless to say, try to concentrate on positive imagery.
What I see
What I hear
What I feel (like wind, sunlight, etc OR what I feel emotionally in this moment)
What I smell
What I taste (hardest – I often save it for mealtime)
Here is another exercise that I call "Own it and Let it Go." I use it in anxious/stressful situations.
When confronted with an unpleasant feeling, smell, sight:
I feel [angry that person is not wearing a mask in the store.] I need to remember [he may have a health condition, and that I cannot control anyone else's behavior.] I will [keep my distance, be extra polite to the staff who have to deal with him & get out of here as quickly as I can.] (Deep breath & let it go. Mentally picture your favorite thing)
I feel [anxious] waiting for my test results. I will get my answer [in two days] and then deal with it. Until then I will concentrate on [writing a memoir for my grandson.] (Deep breath…)
I feel [annoyed when I see my neighbor's messy yard.] My neighbor [either doesn't care about yards or has other issues more important to tend.] I will concentrate on [enjoying my own yard] or thinking about [how friendly she is when she sees me.]
I feel [irritated that my daughter hasn't called.] I can [call/text her to be sure she is okay] then find something productive to do. I understand [she is busy helping her sister & working.] I will concentrate on [what a terrific Auntie she is.]
You get the idea. I hope this helps too. Have a great day."

Thank you, Sue!
Ginger

When they use the cliche”Aging is not for sissies.” it is too true. We face many challenges and losses.
You have reason for living: I found your comment when I was feeling depressed. It helped me. Thank you.

I had taken a medicine (clonazapam) for years which has affected my memory. I did not know that this med would affect mood and memory!
Thank God I found a very kind neurologist who assured me that I did not have Alzheimer’s. I am tapering off of this med that has!! affected my memory. The neurologist also added another med.
Thank you for living! Your comments helped me.
I will be waiting to hear that you (and I) are managing our depression and finding purpose in life.
Your writing helped me realize that I am not alone.
Thank you again!

Thank you for your comments. I've taken Clonazapam for years with, thankfully, no memory loss. My issues came about when my doctor decided I shouldn't take it with my pain meds despite the fact I'd never had issues in the past. She made that decision without warning & I was forced to from 3 mg a day to nothing. Withdrawal was awful & I've been suffering since. Florida seems to be a CYA (cover your a__s state for doctors. Don't listen to me or think outside the box but, rather, prescribe, or don't prescribe, to make sure you (doctors) don't get in trouble. It's so frustrating and I'm at the end of my rope. Your response helped me a lot. I appreciate your kind words. Take care.

Oh my goodness thank you so much. If I did one good thing today I am overjoyed. I am waiting to get a call yet from some mental health counselors, and hopefully that might come after the Labor Day weekend. If not, I will pursue it. I have been journaling off and on, and surprisingly, writing both the good and bad things that are going on, do help me. It is surprising to go back and read them, and sometimes I can't believe how I was feeling at that time. I would love to keep in touch, it does help to know we are not alone, right?

jamsie
Yes it surely is good ro know we are not alone and that there are others like us in the outside world. It truly helps when you get really down and feel like there's no one else around in your shoes.

@helenfrances
Anticonvulsants are notorious for causing memory issues and memory loss frequently happens with clonazepam. How long have you taken the clonazepam? What new medication are you taking? How is your taper going?
I hope your taper is successful & uneventful,
Jake