Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually Exhausted. How do I cope?

Maybe it is time to talk to a professional, like a psychologist, whom you can see weekly to help you go through everything. It is not easy to do it alone, and there's no shame in seeking support.

Also, you can look for a local support group for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment. It is easier when you can connect with someone who is going through a similar experience as you.
Do you have something you can do daily, even if just for a few minutes, that makes you feel happy or releases your stress? Hobby, or something like that. It can be very helpful in the long run.
When are the results coming from the exam you took?
I hope you get good news and you find a solution to your problem.

Susan, your life and mine are almost identical, right down to the cognitive issues. Had testing done twice over the past 15 years, which have shown short term memory loss, with difficulties imprinting new memories. I get it, it’s scary. Ways I have learned to cope include talking to someone about it - it takes some of the fear away if you face it head on. Keep your brain occupied - hobbies, traveling in areas you are familiar with, to keep stress levels down while you engage your mind. My neurologist recommended playing games online to help the brain form pathways to aid in memory.
But it is most important to seek help with your depression - which I have been doing. You will be paralyzed if you don’t. We are here to support you. You are not alone, and we hear you.

I agree about talking with a professional. Here are 2 techniques that can help change your sad thoughts right away. I got these from "my gal" (my therapist).

Try counting your blessings. (Boy, I hate that expression!)
Real basic ones, like "My toilet works and there's no sewage in the basement." I use that one because we have experienced that awful problem at my house in the past, so I genuinely do feel grateful that my toilet works without putting sewage in the basement. And the feeling of gratitude bumps out the other feelings for awhile.

But I hate when people tell me to count my blessings. They sound so pious and sanctimonious. But the toilet one does work for changing my thoughts. A version of "it could be worse," I guess.

Here's another quick technique that I try to remember to use when I am really, really, really low. It's sort of the reverse of "counting your blessings."
I think, "At least I don't have disease X."
For me, X is scleroderma or Crone's disease, which both scare me.
"At least I don't live in a war zone. "
"At least there is some food in my refrigerator, even if I don't like it."
More positive ones: "At least my kids are happy." "At least the ice cream truck will be around this evening." There's a ball game on TV tonight. PBS mystery tonight. My sheets are soft. It's not raining. My big toe isn't hurting right now-- that's a true one!

The downside to the "at least" technique is that it requires you to suppress and ignore feelings of compassion that you have for the people who DO have disease X, or who do live in a war zone, etc. It seems kinda mean to suppress compassion, so I don't use this technique unless I am really, really down.

The tricks to making these 2 techniques effective are to 1) connect them to your real life or something you have seen or heard about. 2) keep repeating them in your mind until you feel your feelings change. I sometimes feel the emotional change in my body (my neck gets less tight). Then I know it's working. Try another example if your feelings don't change for the better.
3) try it for like 5-10 minutes. Try it over the course of a couple of days. It works faster the more you do it.

Please do give these techniques a try. They don't cost anything, except a little time and a tiny, tiny bit of effort.

Two more EASY things (sorry if this is overload). 1) Here on Mayo Connect, there's a section called "Just for a laugh." People post jokes and funny stories. Give yourself a break from reality and read a few. Or watch a silly TV show.
2) When you feel a little better, read some posts in the other sections here. Write a helpful reply to somebody who could really benefit from your wisdom.

You deserve the help of a therapist. If your tooth hurts, you go to a dentist. When your mind and soul ache, you should go for help from a pro. Maybe a religious pastor, if not a therapist?

Good luck to you!! Be sure to keep coming back now 🙂 Let us know how you're doing

For the jokes and funny messages, the correct name of the section is "Just Want to Talk" and the sub section is called "How about a Laugh." 🙂

@bridgeback2 @mbixler @annewoodmayo

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions!
I do have a therapist I meet with once each week. She is helping me with my anxiety. The tremors I experience get worse when I’m anxious so I am learning to distract my brain. Tapping fingers together stops the tremors immediately.
I have a few hobbies. I paint most afternoons, I always have a jigsaw puzzle going, I have a family tree on Ancestry, and I contribute many times on this site. Currently I attend Zoom meetings with the Dementia Action Alliance, DAA. Some weeks I “go” to 2 or 3 meetings. I participate in the Art Program sponsored by the Neurological Dept. of Cleveland Clinic in Las Vegas once a month. Recently I assisted a College student with her studies on dementia.
Just this afternoon, I worked with a nurse who is going for her PHD. She interviewed me by phone for almost 2 hours.

My biggest challenge at this moment is spiritual. I have pushed aside spending time with God because I’ve let my brain crave Facebook, YouTube, Ancestry, over reading the Bible. I’m working on getting my previous routine back. My morning with Jesus Christ was always more important to me than anything.
Now, it’s truly struggle. However, I will make it happen! That is the most important action I can take!

On paper it sounds like all fun and games for me. However, my physical and mental health have squashed me down. I have Mild Cognative Impairment. It is the step before dementia so my memory is shot, and I’ve lost the ability to stay organized mentally, and physically. I have a movement disorder that keeps me off balance, gives me double vision (I can’t drive) and a whole bunch of other annoying things.

I’m trying not to worry about my future. The thought of having to sell everything I own and move into a small room in an Assisted Living facility weighs on me. It’s a tough situation indeed.

Again, thank you for your suggestions. I really appreciate you all.

@annewoodmayo I have submitted jokes. How did the elephant hide in the cherry tree__
he painted his nails red….

I will be praying for you.

Try and remember that this, present moment is all any of us have. I try not to think about the future or ruminate about the past. The future is unknown. It helps me to remain in today. Today is Tuesday. I face the day with the help of my Higher Power. I have to constantly remind myself of the little things I am grateful for. Usually, if I am anxious, it is because my mind is worrying about something in the future or usually something I have no control over. Hang in there. These groups have helped me so much.

Absolutely! I need to make a Gratitude List…

@seldomseen MS-like disorders like CIDP, or Ataxia are stressful, and painful.

Currently, when I go out I use either a walker, or cane. Because of the movement disorder I have, I can’t walk without an aide of some sort.

I hope you feel at least a bit better soon.