I am just curious because my mom was trying to express to me that she felt no joy for living.
2007-09-26 15:50:53 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Difficult question to answer because I just came home from a long visit with my dad up in NY, and I can see some of those same feelings in him. The things that I do to help myself out of blue days won't work for him. I can turn to my husband and friends...for him, just about everyone is gone. My two sisters and I are about all he has, except his only brother, who is battling cancer. We were looking at family photos one night, and it was very sad when he handed one to me and remarked that out of the nine people in the picture, only two are left. He goes to the cemetary just about every day to "visit" my mom, and sometimes I feel that he's just waiting to be with her. I come home feeling very frustated because instead of being able to celebrate his age (91), I know deep in my heart he's tired of it all. This hasn't been much of an answer....just wanted you to know we're going through the same thing with a parent and it's definitely not easy!
2007-09-26 17:29:56 · answer #1 · answered by night-owl gracie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never have days full of joy. But I never have days, where I am
down in the dumps all day either. I try to be upbeat and try also to enjoy what I do have that I enjoy. And usually when I
log on to my computer in the morning, and have my mug of
tea standing by, I invariably find a picture from a friend or
something amusing to make me chuckle from someone. And
that starts my day off with a smile. I'm not a morning person,
so that is a big help to start my day off right. And it also helps
me to temporarily forget what hurts as well.
Now I have to honestly try to remember, when did I feel joy
last? I think at the birth of our one and only son, since I wanted
a son for my husband. And at that point, we had both a
daughter and a son. So joy can be very fleeting for some of
us, I suppose. But joy is often where you can find it. And I
do enjoy watching nature more now that I'm older. And little
birds splashing in the water in a birdbath, can often make me
so happy. While years ago, when I was younger, I might not
have even taken much notice, being busier with living.
2007-09-27 00:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Lynn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both of my parents are this way. What it is they are simply depressed. You can go to her doctor or call him and see if he can put her on anti-depression medicine. Just tell the doctor what is going on. Of course the doctor will want to see her before he gives her anything, but at least you can feel the doc in on what is going on first without her there.
But in the mean time find something that she can do and get her to doing it. Also tell her reasons why she should want to live. Give her a reason to want to live. Sometimes that is hard, but I do that with my own parents. I also tell them that I am not done learning what I can learn from them yet. That they have a lot yet to teach me. That is when I really get busy "acting" like I am trying to learn from them (even though I may already know how to do it).
2007-09-26 23:30:21 · answer #3 · answered by SapphireB 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your mom is depressed. I wonder why. When I have one of those days, I just distance myself from everyone, physically and emotionally, until I can go to sleep for the night. I usually feel more like myself the next day.
Her "No joy for living" scares me. She may need counseling. In the meantime, keep an eye on her so that she can't do something stupid.
2007-09-27 12:54:07 · answer #4 · answered by Granny 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have them but not as often as I once did. My mom also lost the joy she had for living. She was just so very tired. I think the joy is still there with having family and friends they love around them, but it takes a lot more energy now than it used to to deal with life.
2007-09-26 23:07:15 · answer #5 · answered by ncgirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure do, even though I try to stay positive, grateful and forward looking most of the time. Feeling ill, financial difficulties or some other worry can trigger this feeling in me...but similar to what goldwing said, I may wallow in that moment for a bit, but then literally force myself out of it....usually through getting busy with a project or going outdoors or visiting friends
2007-09-27 10:35:33 · answer #6 · answered by sage seeker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depression is a terrible thing - it literally eats you alive to where you just don't care if you live or die.
medication and therapy usually help, but sometimes it takes a while to find the right meds and even the right therapist.
i have suffered from depression for most of my adult life. with 3 suicide attempts behind me, i now know that i don't have the guts to do it, but if a person could just lay down and die, i would be gone.
the only thing that has kept me going is my beloved pets and my son, because i don't know what would happen to them if i were gone.
my last heart attack i told the doctor i didn't want treatment, for him to just let me die - he decided i was unable to make that decision and had my husband sign the consent. after surgery, i ended up in the psychiatric ward for a week. every day is a constant struggle -
your mom needs professional help - see if there is a mental health center in your area and make her an appointment soon
good luck and God bless
2007-09-27 00:24:33 · answer #7 · answered by bassetfreak 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh sure. I have plenty of days like that. Writing helps me deal with the joylessness I feel. Or a really good read. Or a good movie with good acting.
2007-09-26 23:00:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I have days like that. Sometimes I call family or a friend and chat or go to the nursing home and visit with people there. Nothing brings you out of yourself faster than realizing just how bad things are for others.
My mom gets depressed too, but I've noticed since she's been spending more times with cousins she grew up with, she's less down. One of them has a great grandson that wants mom to do everything for him and she gets such a kick out of that. Another thing that helps, she has a cat to take care of now and he really keeps her going.
2007-09-26 23:30:02 · answer #9 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I use to feel that way until the day arrived I went to the Doctor and I didn't get back home for 4 months !!! I feel pure joy every morning just to wake up to another wonderful day !!!!! Always remember that no matter what, there is always someone worse off than you are !!! *smile*
2007-09-26 23:54:21 · answer #10 · answered by Diana 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋