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Managing Lifelong Mental Health as a Senior

Posted by georgette12 @georgette12, Jan 13, 2017

I have just started using this site so this is my first message.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

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Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a psychiatric service dog. I've never felt any hostility or negativity. The church I used to go to were very accepting, and were really sad when we changed to another church. The only reason we left was that the pastor didn't believe in psychology or psychiatry, and made me feel wrongly judged. I think the church is growing up in its misperceptions of mental illness. I am a retired minister, and have felt the stigma firsthand. It's unfortunate, because that's certainly not what Jesus modeled.

I just changed my profile picture to a colored pencil drawing made of my previous service dog, Barnabas, who died a year ago.

Jim

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Thanks, @johnjames. The pastor I referred to is becoming more and more old school, and more rigid and legalistic. I went to that church one time for some special event, and sneaked Barnabas in, and no one kicked us out or made any comments. I've shaken their dust off my feet.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a psychiatric service dog. I've never felt any hostility or negativity. The church I used to go to were very accepting, and were really sad when we changed to another church. The only reason we left was that the pastor didn't believe in psychology or psychiatry, and made me feel wrongly judged. I think the church is growing up in its misperceptions of mental illness. I am a retired minister, and have felt the stigma firsthand. It's unfortunate, because that's certainly not what Jesus modeled.

I just changed my profile picture to a colored pencil drawing made of my previous service dog, Barnabas, who died a year ago.

Jim

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@lesbatts and @jimhd You both mentioned that something sounded like Scientology, however, I'm not sure what you are referring to. If you would, please explain. Thanks! Teresa

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johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 30, 2017

I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living. I also have neuropathy which makes it hard for me to walk and impossible to drive. This cuts me off from social activities and leaves me isolated. I am feeling increasingly frustrated and highly agitated and irritable. After a lifetime of depression that was at least partially controllable, now it is just getting worse and nothing works on me. When I do go out with paratransit I get in arguments with others which makes me want to stay home and never go out. I find the local hospitals here in Minnesota to be not worth much in treating depression, just shove out the door to get the next person in. Only Mayo is rated good, but I have no way of getting there since I do not drive and I do not know if my insurance is even accepted there. Is this what senior life is like for the mentally ill? There are no local services for me. I have checked.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @lesbatts "These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and..." + (show)
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These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and don't tell anyone about your background.
I do not go to church but I had plenty of it when I was a child, enough to make me not want to ever go to church again.
My family and close friends know that I am Bipolar and I never tell anyone else. I thought the bias was lifting against people with mental illnesses but I guess not.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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@rspaulling It sounds as if you have some wonderful spiritual resources, that is great! Yes, I'm sure that God will place you in the right place. Keep in touch and I wish you well as you recover from your broken hip. Teresa

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @lesbatts "These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and..." + (show)
Profile picture for Minnie1971 @lesbatts

These people are supposed to be Christians? I'd try another church if I were you and don't tell anyone about your background.
I do not go to church but I had plenty of it when I was a child, enough to make me not want to ever go to church again.
My family and close friends know that I am Bipolar and I never tell anyone else. I thought the bias was lifting against people with mental illnesses but I guess not.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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@jimhd Hi Jim: As you don't mention where you live, I would suggest that you go to their website or call their local chapter and see where and when their support groups are held. They usually have groups for both patients and their family members. I hope that you are able to connect with them. Teresa

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Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor
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Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a psychiatric service dog. I've never felt any hostility or negativity. The church I used to go to were very accepting, and were really sad when we changed to another church. The only reason we left was that the pastor didn't believe in psychology or psychiatry, and made me feel wrongly judged. I think the church is growing up in its misperceptions of mental illness. I am a retired minister, and have felt the stigma firsthand. It's unfortunate, because that's certainly not what Jesus modeled.

I just changed my profile picture to a colored pencil drawing made of my previous service dog, Barnabas, who died a year ago.

Jim

Jump to this post

I referred to a pastor who didn't think christians should go to psychiatrists or psychologists, which is something that scientology teaches.

REPLY
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

My service dog is with me every Sunday at church, and many people know she's a psychiatric service dog. I've never felt any hostility or negativity. The church I used to go to were very accepting, and were really sad when we changed to another church. The only reason we left was that the pastor didn't believe in psychology or psychiatry, and made me feel wrongly judged. I think the church is growing up in its misperceptions of mental illness. I am a retired minister, and have felt the stigma firsthand. It's unfortunate, because that's certainly not what Jesus modeled.

I just changed my profile picture to a colored pencil drawing made of my previous service dog, Barnabas, who died a year ago.

Jim

Jump to this post

@jimhd Thanks, Jim. That explains it. Teresa

REPLY
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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 30, 2017

@johnhans I am sorry to hear of the difficulty you are having with depression and the isolating effects of health problems. Transportation is a serous problems for seniors. Is there any senior transportation in your vicinity? What about NAMI support groups? If these are not possible, you might try some "book-therapy." Do some reading by authors who specialize in depression. David Burns comes to mind as one author who writes about changing your thoughts so that your mood will change. Let's hear what some others are reading, Can you suggest some authors or books about dealing with depression, @georgette12 @jimhd @johnjames @rspaulling @safetyshield?

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6 replies
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johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@johnhans I am sorry to hear of the difficulty you are having with depression and the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@johnhans I am sorry to hear of the difficulty you are having with depression and the isolating effects of health problems. Transportation is a serous problems for seniors. Is there any senior transportation in your vicinity? What about NAMI support groups? If these are not possible, you might try some "book-therapy." Do some reading by authors who specialize in depression. David Burns comes to mind as one author who writes about changing your thoughts so that your mood will change. Let's hear what some others are reading, Can you suggest some authors or books about dealing with depression, @georgette12 @jimhd @johnjames @rspaulling @safetyshield?

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NAMI is not available where my local paratransit service goes. My depression and anxiety is inherited--has run in the family for generations--but the frustrations of old age problems has increased it. My local library has a very long walkway into it so it makes it hard for me to get to it and they do not deliver specific books. I can always check e-books but the last I looked the program they used made the type too small for me to read and there was not a setting to adjust size of type. Just some of the frustrations of old age.

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Minnie1971 | @lesbatts | Jan 30, 2017
In reply to @johnhans "I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living...." + (show)
Profile picture for johnhans @johnhans

I am having a hard time adjusting to major depression and the problems of senior living. I also have neuropathy which makes it hard for me to walk and impossible to drive. This cuts me off from social activities and leaves me isolated. I am feeling increasingly frustrated and highly agitated and irritable. After a lifetime of depression that was at least partially controllable, now it is just getting worse and nothing works on me. When I do go out with paratransit I get in arguments with others which makes me want to stay home and never go out. I find the local hospitals here in Minnesota to be not worth much in treating depression, just shove out the door to get the next person in. Only Mayo is rated good, but I have no way of getting there since I do not drive and I do not know if my insurance is even accepted there. Is this what senior life is like for the mentally ill? There are no local services for me. I have checked.

Jump to this post

I am so sorry you are having so much trouble. What really helped me was an Serequel. It helped my depression and anxiety plus you get a great nights sleep on it.
I am lucky as I live about an hour from Boston which has the best doctors in the world. I used to go to the Bipolar clinic but I changed doctors so that now I'm only 10 miles from my new doctor. Although Boston was only an hour away it always took at least a couple of hours to get there as the traffic was so bad. Anyway I got the best treatment anyone could get.
I hope somehow you can find the help you need, don't give up, there has got to be a decent doctor somewhere near you.

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