Depression

@PeppermintPatty thank you so much for creating this category and @Nathan thank you for moderating it. There are too few forums in which we can discuss mental health.

I suffered from severe depression and anxiety attacks 17 years ago. I no longer wanted to get up in the morning, go to work or do anything. I thought I would feel listless, but instead I felt very nervous and couldn't sit still. My mother suffered from the same and there were times when I would visit her and my father and she wouldn't say a thing and just rock back and forth. When it happened to me, I understood. I went to see a therapist who prescribed Lexapro. I still take it. I also practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, using logic and knowing I've done something so many times and I've been fine.

I've since been pretty happy with one exception. I suffer from Separation Anxiety. I traveled a lot in my career, and a day or two prior I would become very anxious and depressed. I hated leaving the familiarity of home. I was always fine when I got to the airport but the days prior were awful. I no longer travel on business, but we're leaving tomorrow for a few days in Miami and the it hit me again today. I had to take the cats to the vet for boarding and when I got home I felt lonely and sad. My self-diagnosis is that my mother suffered from postpartum depression when I was born and I was mostly raised by a nanny in my early years, thus the separation anxiety.

Like @ElCastor, I take Trazadone for sleep. So, I take Lexapro, Trazadone and a natural product called Himalaya Hello Joy. They are all mood boosters. It is tough dealing with hereditary depression and anxiety, but the meds and a desire to be happy help me live my best life.
 
Depression can be so debilitating. You have no drive or motivation to do anything yet , energy wise, you feel like youā€™ve done everything. Hobbies and passions donā€™t seem nearly as interesting and ordinary everyday things seem like such a chore.

Isnā€™t it an odd feeling when you suddenly recognize yourself in your parents oddities. Once we get characteristics that we once found difficult or unusual with our own family, is usually when we make that genetic connection. We sometimes might even recognize a pattern.


My mother went through periods of depression , my father had OCD, anger issues and was a hoarder. I donā€™t say that to shame them. My dad ā€˜s mom had mental health issues and while I only met her once for 2 weeks, she clearly was very withdrawn. I no longer ask myself why I have depression and mental health issues , I ask myself, why wouldnā€™t I. itā€™s in my genetic make up and
It sucks. šŸ˜
 
@PeppermintPatty I was concerned about a forum because I was on a forum for widowed people. During that time there was a young man that lost his mother, MIL, wife and two small daughters to a car accident.

He was heartbroken, just not depressed. He lost his whole world that day. This wonderful young man went on to take his life because he could not deal with the pain. Those of those left, found this information on his computer after his death. The family was very upset that no one contacted anyone to get him help, let authorities know. It still haunts me, that board no longer exists.

So I say, if you see something, hear something, do something. I suffer from depression and anxiety. Some often can't find the strength to go on. If one of us appears to be in a great deal of danger, please let @Matrix know. We don't have to share our actual address but some things can be digitally tracked. If Matrix feels the need to make the call, I hope he does so.

I am dealing with a really bad phase of it right now. Nothing I have not done before. I am under a doctor's care, there is no danger but for some they may need immediate help.

If that is the case, please reach out, see your doctor, talk to your clergy, tell your family. There is no need to suffer in silence, there are people that will help you. It does not have to be your friends or family. There was a time that I was embarrased, ashamed but I know now I am not the only one that struggles. That alone makes a world of difference.

My best wishes to all that are in turmoil, suffering, reach out for help and guidance. You will be glad you did.
 
Blessed said:
....please reach out, see your doctor, talk to your clergy, tell your family. There is no need to suffer in silence, there are people that will help you. It does not have to be your friends or family. There was a time that I was embarrased, ashamed but I know now I am not the only one that struggles. That alone makes a world of difference.
Click to expand...

And just so everyone knows, there is a Suicide Prevention Hotline that can be reached, simply by dialing 988 on any phone.
 
Blessed said:
@PeppermintPatty I was concerned about a forum because I was on a forum for widowed people. During that time there was a young man that lost his mother, MIL, wife and two small daughters to a car accident.

He was heartbroken, just not depressed. He lost his whole world that day. This wonderful young man went on to take his life because he could not deal with the pain. Those of those left, found this information on his computer after his death. The family was very upset that no one contacted anyone to get him help, let authorities know. It still haunts me, that board no longer exists.

So I say, if you see something, hear something, do something. I suffer from depression and anxiety. Some often can't find the strength to go on. If one of us appears to be in a great deal of danger, please let @Matrix know. We don't have to share our actual address but some things can be digitally tracked. If Matrix feels the need to make the call, I hope he does so.

I am dealing with a really bad phase of it right now. Nothing I have not done before. I am under a doctor's care, there is no danger but for some they may need immediate help.

If that is the case, please reach out, see your doctor, talk to your clergy, tell your family. There is no need to suffer in silence, there are people that will help you. It does not have to be your friends or family. There was a time that I was embarrased, ashamed but I know now I am not the only one that struggles. That alone makes a world of difference.

My best wishes to all that are in turmoil, suffering, reach out for help and guidance. You will be glad you did.
Click to expand...
Iā€™m really not sure why this is directed towards me. Iā€™m not moderating this forum.
I donā€™t have a doctor and no longer have family or friends to reach out to nor would I wish to burden them with my problems. Iā€™m definitely not going to a religious group if Iā€™m not religious.

Iā€™m not embarrassed about being depressed. Iā€™m beyond caring to be honest and if I really wanted to die, I donā€™t have to commit suicide cause here in Canada we have legal euthanasia for humans which includes mental health disorders

Thanks for your concern all the same. Iā€™m not ok with sharing my whereabouts with people who donā€™t know me or care to know me.
 
I'm no stranger to depression. My mother was bipolar and descended into depression four times a year, then slowly swung in the other direction, eventually culminating in a manic phase when she couldn't stop talking, flirted incessantly and also created a multitude of art and craft objects many of which I still have. At her lowest depressed state she couldn't manage to accomplish much more than get out of bed, sit in the living room and stare at the floor. All day.
I, the youngest son, was her only care giver and became the family cook too. Dad and my two brothers all found ways to escape the situation.

For my part now, I can manage to foresee the onset of severe depression and avoid it....I'm not sure how.....exercise, proper nutrition, reading and being useful by volunteering with pastoral visitation at the local hospital and a food giveaway mission......but I've accepted living with a persistent, low level mood with only rare and transient episodes of gladness. Like for a few days or a week every year or so.
 
Lee said:
The only time depression gets to me if someone continually talks about their depression but does nothing to get out of that state.

I have as much empathy as most people but I also have the attitude of "put on your big girl panties and deal with it"

Don't try to bring me down with you.
Click to expand...
Iā€™ve been looking for a place to talk about my depression with other seniors. I thought I had found it, until I read your nasty comment. You and people like you are one of the reasons people commit suicide! Youā€™re a nasty woman and have your own mental health issues.
 
Daisy99 said:
Iā€™ve been looking for a place to talk about my depression with other seniors. I thought I had found it, until I read your nasty comment. You and people like you are one of the reasons people commit suicide! Youā€™re a nasty woman and have your own mental health issues.
Click to expand...
If another member is writing things that really upset or hurt you, use the ignore button and enjoy the forum. Don't let it push you away. ā™„
 
Lee said:
The only time depression gets to me if someone continually talks about their depression but does nothing to get out of that state.

I have as much empathy as most people but I also have the attitude of "put on your big girl panties and deal with it"

Don't try to bring me down with you.
Click to expand...
For the record, clinical depression isnā€™t a one gender disorder. It affects both genders equally. Males tend to deal with it by killing themselves rather than discussing it possibly due to attitudes like yours who do nothing but stigmatize the illness.

This is actually one of the MAIN reasons for wanting to add a specific section. Men tend to internalize it and blame themselves for having this. Neither gender dealing with this disorder need to be shamed.

Clinical depression isnā€™t about needing an attitude adjustment or having a bad day. Its a chemical imbalance within the brain that needs treatment like any other disorder.

Iā€™m not sure which women has been bringing you down with their depression but please stop stigmatizing a serious illness by trying to shame others with your uneducated opinions.

If you donā€™t suffer from this type of disorder then you really have no need to even post here. Itā€™s the equivalent of ridiculing someone who suffers from diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, autoimmune disease or any other legitimate disorder and has nothing to do with womenā€™s panties.
 
Last edited:
PeppermintPatty said:
For the record, clinical depression isnā€™t a one gender disorder. It affects both genders equally. Males tend to deal with it by killing themselves rather than discussing it possibly due to attitudes like yours who do nothing but stigmatize the illness.

This is actually one of the MAIN reasons for wanting to add a section. Men tend to internalize it and blame themselves for having this. Neither gender dealing with this disorder need to be shamed.

Clinical depression isnā€™t about needing an attitude adjustment or having a bad day. Its a chemical imbalance within the brain that needs treatment like any other disorder.

Iā€™m not sure which women has been bringing you down with their depression but please stop stigmatizing a serious illness by trying to shame others with your uneducated opinions.

If you donā€™t suffer from this type of disorder then you really have no need to even post here. Itā€™s the equivalent of ridiculing someone who suffers from diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, autoimmune disease or any other legitimate disorder and has nothing to do with womenā€™s panties.
Click to expand...
And you have assumed that it only affects 2 genders. What about the other 436 and counting genders?

**Moderated** please don't drag in argumentative dialogue into what's supposed to be a supportive environment.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Daisy99 said:
Iā€™ve been looking for a place to talk about my depression with other seniors. I thought I had found it, until I read your nasty comment. You and people like you are one of the reasons people commit suicide! Youā€™re a nasty woman and have your own mental health issues.
Click to expand...
Please donā€™t allow the nay slayers trying to shame others for wishing to discuss a serious mental illness discourage you from sharing. This thread was specifically dedicated for those who suffer from this illness.

Itā€™s a well documented fact that discussing these topics can be very helpful for those who do. There will always be members wishing to put others down for whatever reason they have. Some people have the sensitivity of a ROCK šŸŖØ

For members whom this condition doesnā€™t personally affect, there really is no need to even view this section let alone ridicule others for being sick so please try and ignore the hateful, snarky comments.

This thread is made specifically for discussing depression which is why itā€™s in the MENTAL HEALTH section. Not all people suffer from mental health issues but most people donā€™t mock or try to humiliate others who do. Maybe this behaviour comes from a different place but Iā€™ve yet to understand what place itā€™s coming from nor really care to.šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø
 
ElCastor said:
I have a strange depression issue. During the day I was fine, but at night trying to get to sleep my mine wandered into worrisome thoughts. Doctor put me on Trazodone, a sleep aid with antidepressant properties and Bingo!
Click to expand...
Trazodone has been around since the 1960s as an antidepressant, was prescribed to me as a sleep aid. Works as well as any sleep aid, and I think since I resumed taking it regularly it helps tone down anxiety and decrease my mild depressive tendencies.
A big plus for Trazodone is that there are not adverse effects from discontinuing use.
 
ElCastor said:
I have a strange depression issue. During the day I was fine, but at night trying to get to sleep my mine wandered into worrisome thoughts. Doctor put me on Trazodone, a sleep aid with antidepressant properties and Bingo!
Click to expand...
I'm glad that has helped. I've had those bad thoughts at night sometimes though I don't usually have trouble falling asleep. I'd usually turn the TV back on until I got tired enough.
 
Fyrefox said:
Anxiety and depression are often comorbid, with a shading of one existing in the shadow of the other. I was on medication for anxiety for years when my work environment turned toxic. Iā€™m sure that many of us here could offer perspectives gained by their own journeys down painful roads. Thank you for sponsoring a mental health section, Patty, and Iā€™m sure that it will offer content relevant to and beneficial for many of usā€¦
Click to expand...
A toxic work environment can be horrible and depressing to deal with. I've experienced it. The toxic ones are blissfully ignorant of their behavior and toxicity. Probably lots of personality disorders. Which are not a joke.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top