Are there mental health issues specific to aging?

[PeppermintPatty]

Um, no. You no likee my words, ignore me. By the way, it's CHOICE of words. #SMH

It has nothing to do with me. This IS a no politics forum . The term Nazis is definitely political. For the record, you don’t usually get notices before you get banned. Just sayin.’

 

[Nathan]

Um, no. You no likee my words, ignore me. By the way, it's CHOICE of words. #SMH

Follow the link to the Forum Rules that I provided in your previous post.

 

[seadoug]

I'm a male who retired at 62. During my working years I sometimes suffered from depression and often suffered from anxiety. This was mostly due to constant work deadlines, a rigorous travel schedule, a "workaholic" boss and the inability to predict what issue would be thrown at me next. I was in a customer-facing business and could share many stories about demanding, a*****e clients but those are water under the bridge.

I've had a few "down" days during the 3 1/2 years since I retired but nothing compared to my working years. Overall, I'm quite happy. Other than possible health issues that will inevitably come as I continue to age, I have very few worries. Even so, I can't stop the inevitable so I choose to enjoy life each day.

This sums it up nicely.

"A large body of research backs up the idea that people get happier as they age. Some of that has to do with emotional wisdom, according to Laura Carstensen, professor of psychology and director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. “As we age, our time horizons grow shorter and our goals change.Jul 3, 2023."

 

[seadoug]

I'm a male and my mental health has greatly improved since I stopped working. My biggest issues were stress and anxiety and being out of the workforce solved those issues.

Top three issues I hear discussed often.
1) Isolation
2) financial concerns
3)health issues

This!

 

[seadoug]

Same here. I dread being in a nursing home and at the hands of staff younger than I who are justifiably resentful of how we Boomers either screwed things up or didn't work hard enough on already existing problems. (I'm thinking of getting a tattoo that says, "Recovering Boomer. Thank you for your patience." But I can't decide where it should go.)

My mother was in assisted living and most of her caregivers were immigrants from other countries like Africa, India and the Phillipines, so they didn't carry the "Boomers screwed things up" baggage. They were hardworking, caring people who were glad to be in our country. Same for the few times she was ill and spent a few weeks in a nursing home. They were delightful people who hugged me when she passed away and told me what a wonderful woman she was.

I don't want to be in a nursing home either, but I've seen the brighter side of it.

 

[gracy225]

The fear of being forgotten is huge among the elderly. Being elderly myself (63) now, I so understand the need to be remembered.
Also, the fear of losing everyone you love. That's huge on my list as I have lost loved ones in the most horrific ways.
Not being heard/taken seriously. I remember taking my mom to her Dr. She was the age I am now, 63. The Dr. never looked at mom, I mean not at all, and continued talking and explaining things to ME. That was the last time we saw him.

 

[Alizerine]

63 seems so young to me. Life was still exciting at that age. Now I have lost everyone. Oh, shut up I tell myself. There is still good in this world. I would search harder if I just felt a little better.

 

[officerripley]

I would search harder if I just felt a little better.

I hear that; in my case though, I'd have to feel a lot better; my health issues have pretty much got me housebound most of the time. Thank goodness for the internet and tv.

 

[Remy]

I realized a few years ago, I have no 'emergency contact.' My stepfather is alive but over 90 and complely hearing impaired. Refuses to text.

When he was hospitalized and in rehab, I was over daily to feed the cats among other things. .Then took him shopping, Dr. appointments until he was fully recovered. I admittedly resented it. If I'm ever in that situation, I'll have to call a professional pet sitting business. Find a way to shop and get around if I can't drive.

 

[MR_Ritz]

Anxiety and depression here.

Trying out Zoloft and it seems to be working better than the last 2 (your milage may vary). It's only been a month, but I think I'm feeling it.

I have been going to the Senior Center and taking Tai Chi classes. It looks easy, but when I get home, I feel my sore muscles.

Still pretty isolated, but I get out and bowl occasionally (usually by myself). Not meeting any people because I missed the start of the leagues, but maybe I'll catch them next time around.