Incredibly lonely, shutting down: Suffering with Anhedonia

@januaryjane

I hope you're doing ok tonight. Was there something that helped you get through the day? I work hard in the yard and gardens during the day, and that gives me something to focus on instead of the burning pain in my feet, and the mental pain. It was kinda hot today, so I had to take a lot of shade breaks to cool down. If you're up to it, let me know how your feelings of loneliness and fear are today.

Be safe, and be kind and gentle with yourself.

Jim

Hello @januaryjane,

It has been a while since you last posted on Connect. How are you doing? Have you spoken with your doctor or a counselor regarding your feelings of loneliness?

@januaryjane I have tried EMDR but brought up trauma difficult to deal with and had to stop that type of therapy. Now I feel PTSD has emerged and trying to find a therapist that can help me focus on getting past the trauma and back into life. Hoping...

Hello @januaryjane,

It has been several months since you last posted. I was thinking about you. How you are doing? Any progress in dealing with your feelings of fear?
Will you post again with an update?

I know how you feel! I’m going through the same thing! But, we must keep putting one foot in front the other!🙏

I get lonely too. One way I fight loneliness is to play euchre, there are euchre tournaments in my area. Another way to fight loneliness is to get involved with a congregation of a large church. There are many activities, I have made new friends attending a weekly bible study.

@lacy2 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad to see you here, and you have raised points that are so valid in these times. It seems that even with the advances in medicine it can still be difficult to get the assistance we need. That is where this patient forum is valuable. Knowing others are "in the same boat" and can share makes our dark days a bit brighter, doesn't it?

What kind of treatment have you experienced at this point?
Ginger

@lacy2 Many of us can nod our collective heads and relate to your experiences. The dates or medication or length of time might be different, but there are a lot of similarities! I know for me, having a place to share, to "get it off my chest or out of my mind" helps. Remember we are all in this life experience together, even if separated by miles. It truly does help to know others can relate!

If you would like to use journaling or writing as a tool, try this discussion thread: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/. Also, we have the Aging Well group where you will find many different topics being discussed:https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/ Come back and tell me what you think of these, please?

I hope you are able to turn to your daughter and express your thoughts. I liked your analogy of the tightrope and the challenges, it sure gave me a visual that I agreed with! Things that works for me are: writing and journaling, finding small things to be grateful for [and writing them down!], noticing the natural world around me, walking outside to refresh my body and mind. Being your own advocate for body and mind health is empowering.
Ginger

@lacy2 I can relate with so much of your story, but am single, mid 60's, and no children...so some differences. Have a long list of medications which haven't worked and still struggle with depression, PTSD and anxiety which COVID-19 hasn't helped. Have had a couple of psychiatrists suddenly and unprofessionally drop me as a client...with no back up plan. I encourage you to continue to write here for I have found it helpful. I also journal when I can put thoughts together. Please take care.

@Lacy2
Hi, I have read your posts and I do not think you are talking too much. This is a place for you to express how you are feeling, and it takes the time and the words that it takes. I am sorry to know that you are relegated to the national health in Canada and waited ten months to see a psychiatrist. I have heard similar stories from people in other countries. My Norwegian friend (lives in Arizona) said his brother in Norway had to wait close to a year to get an important procedure done. Another lady here on Connect had some very choice words for the British health system. She was disgusted with it. I really hope the US does not end up like that but I fear it might.

I am sorry to hear that things are so bad for you and that you have a just-in-case "plan", by which you mean (correct me if I misunderstood) a leave-the-planet plan if things get unbearable. I hate to hear that, but I do understand. The pain (of all kinds) that some experience in life can seem completely unbearable and pointless. I have no answer to that for you, I just hope enough strength comes to you to bear through it. You have touched my heart and I hope good and joy come to you eventually. Best, Hank