Depression?

Question

To all my fellow Seniors, do you experience depression and how do you get a handle on it?

Answer 1

Yes, I have experienced it.
There are several types.
Clinical depression.
Situational depression.

Anytime a big change occurs in someone's life, even if they did not like what they were doing, it was much easier to handle than taking a step into unknown territory. This may seem a weird example but: consider a female who has been abused by her husband over the years. She wants to get out but is afraid because she doesn't know if she can handle it by herself. So, she stays because it is familiar. When we leave territories in our life that have been familiar, we can experience depression as well as anxiety.

My doctor was smart enough to pick up on my depression and placed me on some mild form of antidepressants. This may not be your solution but it sure helped me.

Don't give up on yourself. If you have recently experienced a sudden life change, you are experiencing a form of depression which I call situational depression.

If this continues for you, seek help. There are agencies that will help you and some are free or use a pay scale. You may have to pay $5 and another who has a higher pay scale will pay a lot more.

It's real easy to say, "chin up" and "you'll get over it" or learn to find something to do, which is nearly impossible if you are depressed. Avoid using anything that leads to further depression. Alcohol is a terrible depressant. It might make you feel good for awhile, but when the effect is gone, the depression returns big time.

Seek help through your family physician. Best advice I can give you as someone who cares and understands about depression.

Answer 2

C.P. , I think everyone has experienced depression in one form or another whether they want to admit it or not . Sometimes it is situational or clinical. Sometimes it passes and sometimes not . I was in the latter category and wasn't even aware I was suffering from depression . There was a lot of drama in my life at the time ,but I needed a regular checkup and I am very fortunate to have a doctor that has a way of picking up on little things and he started me on medication after a long chat in his office. Needless to say , that was 15 years ago and after being on meds for a long period, I soon realized that I must have had depression since I was a child. I think mine is probably genetic. If you find your depression doesn't resolve itself, there is no need to suffer needlessly or be ashamed any more about asking for help . If you have already taken that step, follow the advice of others on this site. They know what they are talking about.! On a lighter note , come hang out on this site. It's just the right place to get a shot of feeling good!

Answer 3

Depression is not a normal part of the aging process, but it can be a normal part of life. A good indicator of how far your depression has carried you, is to be honest and examine how much your feelings are interfering with your normal, daily life. Are you so depressed that you don't go anywhere, don't talk to anyone, and don't want to get out of bed? It's time to seek professional help. If not, look to hobbies, friends, and other interests to help inject meaning and purpose back into daily activities. If you are going through a hard time and feel depressed (situational depression) look for a support group of other people that are going through a similar experience. Also, don't forget to take care of yourself physically--eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. Sometimes our emotions get out of whack because we are spending all of our energy making up for physical deficits (not enough sleep, poor nutrition, etc). Here's another hint: don't just take a pill. If you are prescribed an anti-depressant, couple that with some counseling or group support.

Answer 4

Yes, I think we all get a depressed sometimes. I like to do volunteer activities. For example, when I go to a nursing home and see how sick and lonely those people are, I remember all I have to be grateful for. It helps to be around other people, loneliness adds to depression. Sometimes just knowing other people are going through 'stuff' too makes you feel better. The main thing is have a reason to get up in the morning-a purpose that makes you know you are valued.

If the depression lasts there are meds that I've seen really help people.

Answer 5

Yes, I do. I've had mild depression since I was a teenager. Taking meds changed my life!! I got a better job, one that I actually liked, and saved my marriage. Depression runs in my family - several relatives going back to my grandmother had or have it.

My husband, now 68, developed severe depression after his work ended - he worked freelance and the work just dried up. That was more than 2 years ago. He takes meds but some days they don't work. He can't take them strong enough because he can't tolerate the side effects - they make him sweat, and aggravate a tremor he has in his hands. And the tremor med - primidone - aggravates the depression.

Answer 6

When I was in deep depression after the death of my Mother, which was just the straw that broke the camel's back, I was helped a lot. The thing that seems to surface a lot in my mind after it's all over is~~~Take a sheet of paper, draw a line down the middle. On one side, list your gifts, what you are grateful far in your life. In other words 'Count your blessings"
On the other side list the things that are wrong in your life. Do what you can about those wrong things. Amends or whatever.
You may need to talk it out with a psychiatrist & he may see your need for anti depressants. I did & the Dr. did and thank God I got out of that black pit I was in. Turn your life & your depression over to the great healer.
Life was wonderful again one morning and I knew I was getting better. It was worth every penny it cost. A mind is a terrible thing to lose.~~~May God Bless & Heal You~~

I wish you the very best of luck. Pray & trust in your God~~Jill

Answer 7

My dad has suffered from sever depression for years now. He has to take a prescription to keep it under control some. His is so bad that the medicine doesn't stop it all the way. My dads is so bad that he can't even talk without crying. It doesn't matter if what he is trying to tell is funny, sad, or just making a statement, he will cry.

Some times it helps if you can talk to a friend or family member (one that you can trust not to tell what they hear).

Sometimes changing the way things are around you can even help.

Just keep one thing in mind. Every body has some depression in them, just some are worse than others. My dad has the worst case that I have seen in anybody.

Answer 8

Yes, I do, from time to time. I usually try to make sure I understand why I am depressed. Then, I look at the positives which could come from the situation. I dwell on those! Not the negatives!

Also, I am a Christian and so, naturally, I pray and seek God in my low times as He is always faithful.

I also keep busy doing things I like to do. Things I have not ever taken time to do. This keeps me focused and my thoughts are not so much on the negatives in my life.

I hope this helps and I pray your depression lifts very soon!

Answer 9

I became disabled last year and nobody warned me about depression. I had very little depression in my life before that time. I had studied it in school, but to put it into practice, well that was just another thing!

I had wanted to write a book and it's in the process right now. Probably be published sometime next year.

Also, since I had a great and diverse working background, I've gone to work in my home. This really helps out as it gives me no time to get depressed.

I also love to garden, I have a rose garden in my complex that I care for. This is great therapy for me.

You know what things you like to do and now is the time in your life to do them. Your time will be occupied and you will have less opportunity to let depression do a number on you. If you don't have any hobbies or specific things you find great pleasure in, find something, volunteer your time for those who are less fortunate. This will make you feel really good and, perhaps, give you a whole new outlook on life. You know, we're never too old for that.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Geez, I'm not even considered old, and I get depressed all the time. It has to do with Liberals, and their hatred towards America. The best I can do to stop the depression is to keep fighting them back.
Bless the WWII era Seniors. You guys and gals had it more together mentally than the young dorks of today do. Kudos, Ma'am's, and Sirs! God Bless ya!