hello, my life has been filled with drama, tragidy, rape, depression, anxiety and on top of all that I have several serious autoimmune diseases. I think alot of my depression and anxiety became a lot worse after I got ill. I was technically diagnosed by Cleveland Clinic with a handful of autoimmune illnesses.
I used to be an outgoing, happy and the life-of-the-party person. Over the years, I've become isolated because of my illnessnes and the depression and anxiety worsened. Being 62 I've only had a handful of partner my whole life and all were unfaithful and disrespectful partners. I also have OCD and get fixated on something and I'm like a dog with a bone.
I've seen several psychologists and currently see a psychiatrist. Meds don't help. I've been about 10 different meds during my life-time. My mood can change in an instant and sometimes its so unbearable I can barely stand m yself. When something awful happens in my life, when I think or talk about it, I get so emotional that I can't control my emotions. I told my doctor that I have no control over my emotion and he wanted to up my med. Really? My sister is a naturalpath and believe in health pods and says its all in my head. Duh? And that I do have control I just need to listen to health podcasts. Anybody else that have no emotion control?
@wieczorkemaria Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It can certainly be a challenge to get through each day when you feel upset, and may not know the exact cause. Having chronic illnesses can be limiting as we try to figure out what we will feel like doing/be able to do at any given time, right? In my experience with autoimmune conditions, it is hard to plan days when I can't be sure I'll feel up to it when the day rolls around!
Being able to journal out my feelings has helped me many times. Seeing the thoughts on paper gives them less impact. Have you tried that? Here is a discussion we have here on journaling: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
Figuring out your triggers and what stands in your way to be the healthiest you can be on any given day, can be tricky. Moderate exercise, good rest, healthy eating all have played a part in my many years of attempting to be the best possible, every day.
Ginger
Thank you for your warm welcome. I am also following the forum on mental health. I am a senior with a history of migraines and mental issues that i think are both genetic and also a result of consistent trauma since childhood. To deal with all of this, i have spent my entire adult life studying different traditional and holistic methodologies from different cultures. Alas, i have reached this advanced age with the only conclusion i keep ending up with. Nothing works. I am speaking only for myself of course. I am very aware that many people have found healing in their lives, from both physical and mental conditions. I am just not one of them. When i stumbled on this site, i was impressed with its message. Shared experiences and caring people can help heal all of us. Blessings.
I am 77 yo female and I identify and empathize with your message. I am dealing with many health issues, but along side those issues have dealt with neurologic anxiety and depression disorder, with traumatic life issues affecting it for so many years. I, too, have had trauma since childhood, but I have always fought to feel "normal" and live a happy life. Lately, I have been dealing with a lot of anger, which perplexes me and seems to change my reactions to people and situations. I am a kind person and I don't like this dark, angry person I can easily become. I have sought counseling most of my life, but have come to the conclusion that not all mental health issues can be "solved". I think too often, the focus is on the diagnosis and not the life issue that has caused your mental health issue. My seeking counseling is to help me deal with the life issues that I cannot necessarily prevent or change and how to deal with them. I have a good counselor right now, but I have had 3 episodes with Covid since the end of Jan, leaving me sick most all of the time. Add to that, computer problems that prevent me from having virtual counseling visits, so I am "on hold" right now! LOL! Would love someon to communicate who has fought life issues and the ability to retain "saneness" throughout. Thank you for your time.
I am 83 and started on anti-depressants several years ago. Each time I wean off, the depression raises its head again. I have to say that with the many pleasures of life there is a heaping of misery that increases as we age. Personally, I think many, if not most seniors would be helped by antidepressants with a doctor’s guidance. Georgette, you have had way more than your share, but you seem sensible enough and strong enough to beat it. I have had a very traumatic incident within the family but am not willing to talk about it except in therapy. So your openness is very impressive and helpful.
Didgi2175
I too have physical and mental issues. My mental health is all over the place. Right now I am having a lot of anxiety and suffer not only mental issues(depression too) but have very minimal support and only a couple of friends who don’t really want to talk about it and one doesn’t get it at all-what it is like. My husband pretty much doesn’t really want to know anything. My children all live away and I get the impression that they think it is all in my head-they think I am fine. I want to give up…..
Didgi2175
I too have physical and mental issues. My mental health is all over the place. Right now I am having a lot of anxiety and suffer not only mental issues(depression too) but have very minimal support and only a couple of friends who don’t really want to talk about it and one doesn’t get it at all-what it is like. My husband pretty much doesn’t really want to know anything. My children all live away and I get the impression that they think it is all in my head-they think I am fine. I want to give up…..
My daughter doesn't want to speak of my Major Depression/Anxiety Neurological Disorder. She has not allowed me to really talk to her about it and I doubt that she has ever researched it. My psychologist thinks it is her fear that she will end up with the same thing? I don't think there are many people who understand mental health issues unless they actually have experienced problems themselves, and I have found that attempts to discuss your problems with others gets you a very blank look in their eyes [LOL! 😕😉] and a quick change of the subject! It's okay. Maybe I would be the same way? I had always wished there were more mental health support groups that were more specific to your Dx. The groups I tried always seemed to center on addiction. Forgive me, I must jokingly respond to your comment that "they think it is all in my head". I have always joked with others about my mental health, that "they think it's all in my head........and, hey, IT IS!", in my case, with the neurological disorder! I think you just have to keep laughing! 🤣😁😉 That's why this Mayo Connect is SO GREAT! Please, don't give up, this is a place where you can share, ask questions, and get the support and empathy you need, trust me. I am new to this, but I consider it a Godsend. My friends do, too, because I have shared with them all about it. Hang in there, and post, post, post.........
❣️P
I was NOR laughing AT YOU in any way. I am sorry you took it that way. I was trying, in my way, to give you support, but I understand that you misunderstood me. I would never laugh at anyone suffering with mental health issues. I have dealt with them all my life. When I am laughing, I am laughing at MYSELF......rather than cry. I am sorry.
P
Didgi2175
I too have physical and mental issues. My mental health is all over the place. Right now I am having a lot of anxiety and suffer not only mental issues(depression too) but have very minimal support and only a couple of friends who don’t really want to talk about it and one doesn’t get it at all-what it is like. My husband pretty much doesn’t really want to know anything. My children all live away and I get the impression that they think it is all in my head-they think I am fine. I want to give up…..
I can understand where you are coming from. I too have physical and mental health issues. It was recommended to me to try seeing a psychologist. I am going to see one next week. I thought it would be worth my time.
One little thing for Pleasure for a few minutes is to do the 'wordle' game in New York Times that appears each day, an exercise in some logic, vocabulary, and lot of luck if you figured the word out in two or three attempts, but can pat yourself if you did in four or five, which most are able I'd think.
I think some pioneering players might be able to do it over Zoom with a few seniors, all free I believe with Zoom time less than 40 minutes.
In fact it could be done over phone too.
Of course in-person you can't beat.
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@wieczorkemaria Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It can certainly be a challenge to get through each day when you feel upset, and may not know the exact cause. Having chronic illnesses can be limiting as we try to figure out what we will feel like doing/be able to do at any given time, right? In my experience with autoimmune conditions, it is hard to plan days when I can't be sure I'll feel up to it when the day rolls around!
Being able to journal out my feelings has helped me many times. Seeing the thoughts on paper gives them less impact. Have you tried that? Here is a discussion we have here on journaling: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
Figuring out your triggers and what stands in your way to be the healthiest you can be on any given day, can be tricky. Moderate exercise, good rest, healthy eating all have played a part in my many years of attempting to be the best possible, every day.
Ginger
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1 ReactionI am 77 yo female and I identify and empathize with your message. I am dealing with many health issues, but along side those issues have dealt with neurologic anxiety and depression disorder, with traumatic life issues affecting it for so many years. I, too, have had trauma since childhood, but I have always fought to feel "normal" and live a happy life. Lately, I have been dealing with a lot of anger, which perplexes me and seems to change my reactions to people and situations. I am a kind person and I don't like this dark, angry person I can easily become. I have sought counseling most of my life, but have come to the conclusion that not all mental health issues can be "solved". I think too often, the focus is on the diagnosis and not the life issue that has caused your mental health issue. My seeking counseling is to help me deal with the life issues that I cannot necessarily prevent or change and how to deal with them. I have a good counselor right now, but I have had 3 episodes with Covid since the end of Jan, leaving me sick most all of the time. Add to that, computer problems that prevent me from having virtual counseling visits, so I am "on hold" right now! LOL! Would love someon to communicate who has fought life issues and the ability to retain "saneness" throughout. Thank you for your time.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI am 83 and started on anti-depressants several years ago. Each time I wean off, the depression raises its head again. I have to say that with the many pleasures of life there is a heaping of misery that increases as we age. Personally, I think many, if not most seniors would be helped by antidepressants with a doctor’s guidance. Georgette, you have had way more than your share, but you seem sensible enough and strong enough to beat it. I have had a very traumatic incident within the family but am not willing to talk about it except in therapy. So your openness is very impressive and helpful.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsDidgi2175
I too have physical and mental issues. My mental health is all over the place. Right now I am having a lot of anxiety and suffer not only mental issues(depression too) but have very minimal support and only a couple of friends who don’t really want to talk about it and one doesn’t get it at all-what it is like. My husband pretty much doesn’t really want to know anything. My children all live away and I get the impression that they think it is all in my head-they think I am fine. I want to give up…..
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsMy daughter doesn't want to speak of my Major Depression/Anxiety Neurological Disorder. She has not allowed me to really talk to her about it and I doubt that she has ever researched it. My psychologist thinks it is her fear that she will end up with the same thing? I don't think there are many people who understand mental health issues unless they actually have experienced problems themselves, and I have found that attempts to discuss your problems with others gets you a very blank look in their eyes [LOL! 😕😉] and a quick change of the subject! It's okay. Maybe I would be the same way? I had always wished there were more mental health support groups that were more specific to your Dx. The groups I tried always seemed to center on addiction. Forgive me, I must jokingly respond to your comment that "they think it is all in my head". I have always joked with others about my mental health, that "they think it's all in my head........and, hey, IT IS!", in my case, with the neurological disorder! I think you just have to keep laughing! 🤣😁😉 That's why this Mayo Connect is SO GREAT! Please, don't give up, this is a place where you can share, ask questions, and get the support and empathy you need, trust me. I am new to this, but I consider it a Godsend. My friends do, too, because I have shared with them all about it. Hang in there, and post, post, post.........
❣️P
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1 ReactionDidgi2175
I don’t want to be laughed at right now. I NEED some support……I am really down now.
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1 ReactionI was NOR laughing AT YOU in any way. I am sorry you took it that way. I was trying, in my way, to give you support, but I understand that you misunderstood me. I would never laugh at anyone suffering with mental health issues. I have dealt with them all my life. When I am laughing, I am laughing at MYSELF......rather than cry. I am sorry.
P
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3 ReactionsI can understand where you are coming from. I too have physical and mental health issues. It was recommended to me to try seeing a psychologist. I am going to see one next week. I thought it would be worth my time.
One little thing for Pleasure for a few minutes is to do the 'wordle' game in New York Times that appears each day, an exercise in some logic, vocabulary, and lot of luck if you figured the word out in two or three attempts, but can pat yourself if you did in four or five, which most are able I'd think.
I think some pioneering players might be able to do it over Zoom with a few seniors, all free I believe with Zoom time less than 40 minutes.
In fact it could be done over phone too.
Of course in-person you can't beat.