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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• November 18, 2009 1:28 a.m.

  "see a health care provider." As if that does any good.

  - John

• August 27, 2009 3:27 a.m.

  I am now 63 and have had depression since 1995! my medicine has been changed. I feel great and then all of a sudden - wham - I feel listless, tired, anxious, scared- I dont know what i am scared about, sometimes i think its the thought of ageing, full of wrinkles, no hair, bad health - I feel inadequate and this at my age! I thought by know I would be positive about everything.

  - Magda

• August 6, 2009 5:53 p.m.

  With a wonderful recovering alcoholic (found that valium was also being used) Peryroinie's disease was a major factor with him, although found ways around this situation. Depressed due to family situation for some reason was always able to relate and be at ease together. Could understand problems, talked though, and his disease did not seem to be a major issue together. However with booze and valium could not see future when apart and needless to say no longer with us. Between personal problems, alcohol, booze I feel he felt no end at light of tunnel when apart. Is this a normal reaction for all these concotions added together? What more could have been done? Or was the lethel pills, booze and sexual disfunction when not together the ending point. Any help?

  - Kit

• May 14, 2009 8:23 a.m.

  Hi - yeah meto - depressed for 9 years straight - got myself outta it all by myself - read - write - walk - run - talk w friends - eat right - calorie retsricted- lift weights- cut wood - lift and collect rocks - stay busy= find a hobby - exercise= focus on now- be here - now- only-focuson now - this moment - it is all you have- forget yesterday- tomorrow is an illusion - be here - be now - just be - best to all - good luck - this is hard hardhardhard - it hurtshurtshurtshurts - but you can do it - just be - be here - be in the now only - love John

  - John Marine #70

• May 13, 2009 8:30 p.m.

  I have been on Lexapro for 2 years and increased from 10-20mg. I just sit around most of the time and couldn't make a decision if my life depended on it. I seem to have no life. I just stopped taking my meds looking for a miracle pill something that would put fun in my life. I don't care to go anywhere or be around people. What the H... is wrong with me. My Dad was the same as me so I'm thinking it is genetic. I'm 66 and having no fun... HELP!!!

  - Bill

• March 23, 2009 7:36 p.m.

  Of course I'm depressed. Anxious too. My body is deteriorating around me, IBS, diet is 100% white milk, CHF, cardio-vascular oddities, something they want mega-bucks to test for, too young for retirement, no insurance. Have felt really bad since age 30 (now 62) -- all I want is some pain pills to see me through, IBS especially, as end is obvious. No can do -- not hospice, not Rx (might I get hooked?) 100% pain from 100% places 24-7 and that's only scratching the surface. We DO treat our animals better.

  - S. Stephens

• January 22, 2009 11:50 a.m.

  i am same as sandra emory - I have enjoyed nothing for about 15 years, cannot tell my children this as it seems silly. My greatest joy was going to beach, but havent been (and dont want to go) for years and years.

  - hj

• January 19, 2009 12:07 p.m.

  How can one get a stubborn retired physician who suffers from Parkinson's and depression to seek treatment for depression and see a psychiatrist? He is in total denial and refuses to believe in even the possibility of being helped. What can I do or say to him? He seems to have given up.

  - Daughter of a Retired Physician

• October 12, 2008 12:23 a.m.

  No one has mentioned Vitamin B12 deficiency as being a possible cause of depresssion in people over the age of 55-60. I found this to be the cause in my case. As soon as I received B12 injections, the above mentioned symptoms went away. Another cause may be low thyroid function. Both these should be checked before prscribing/taking anti-depressants.

  - H. Zukof

• September 25, 2008 12:45 a.m.

  Dr. Phill has a lot of ways to treat depression. not to advertise him but he has helped me a great deal. Happiness is a choice.. God Bless Outsourcing Solution in BPO

  - pete hudson

• September 24, 2008 5:54 p.m.

  Been where you are but NO MORE. Look up a group called Recovery,Inc. It's self-help so that you know yourself the method is helping you once you learn it. The main office is based in Chicago, but groups meet all over the WORLD. Free-will donations only....maybe that's why some professionals don't recommend the group or: your doctors may not have learned about it. It's been in existence since the l930's....you will be better...I know, I know. Take heart and take action. Best loving wishes to you.

  - Fay

• September 24, 2008 7:57 a.m.

  Ihave depression. I am always tired and I don't like to watch TV anymore. I am sad most of my life and in pain.

  - sandra emory

• September 22, 2008 7:10 a.m.

  To DW Can you get out and walk? Exercise increases the Seratonin and Endorfins in the brain,maybe find a walking partner,God Bless

  - Linda Brown

• September 20, 2008 9:02 p.m.

  Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassion never fail.

  - Rosette from Philippines

• September 20, 2008 10:09 a.m.

  I am a 58-year-old who has suffered from severe depression and anxiety for at least 6 years. Several traumatic things happened in my family at that time. I have usually managed to deal with and work through things prior to this. It was like the straw that broke the camels back. During the past 6 years, I have lost my job, my home, my self-respect, the respect of the community and drastically changed the lives of my children. I have seen a psychiatrist since 2004. We have tried medications in every combination, but nothing seems to be successful. Are there any new treatments for depression and/or anxiety. I am so tired of living in this black cloud waiting for the next shoe to drop. Thank you.

  - Debbie Whitt

• September 19, 2008 4:19 p.m.

  To r.c.- If you know what pleasurable activities and interests your mother had during her life prior to depression, then that is a place to start. Since you can't go every day to be w/ her then try for once a week to involve her and yourself in one of those activities. My own mother loved cards and board games and we played w/ each other 3 or 4 times a week, and once a month I took her to an 'all girls' poker night w/ one of her old acquaintances in the group. She frequently fussed about the poker night and I had to drag her there at times, but she always enjoyed herself, and made new friends who would drop in on her for visits. This did not cure her depression, or totally relieve the negativity I had to deal w/ from her, but it was a stepping stone to getting her to talk to her Dr. about the situation and that was followed by meds that helped some and got her to consider doing more things, to at least not alway complaining, and eventually we reached a stage where she could make herself more content. Little steps of positive, joyful things help. My mom had good days and bad days, but eventually the good and mediocre days won out over the bad to where she was usually at peace and amenable to being coaxed into doing things. Also, stressing yourself over her condition will not help her, but will only lead to you both being depressed. I know it is hard, and sometimes you'd rather scream than cajole, but just take it one step at a time. Take care of yourself first.

  - Lola S.

• September 18, 2008 6:18 a.m.

  Responses: To clarify, there are NOT antidepressant medications that are prescribed solely for those that are elderly. The medications available work equally well across all age groups. Anxiety does not normally increase with aging. Thank you for your interest!

  - MC.Com Staff

• September 18, 2008 2:23 a.m.

  With advancing years, many people sink into feelings of insecurity, lowered self esteem and dipping confidence levels, sooner or later. One will have to prepare oneself from earlier years to find new interests in life, detach emotionally from ones children and loved ones yet having attachments with them( Makes sense?), make a great deal of efforts to remain physically and mentally fit and get involved in helping less priveledged people. There is no greater mood elevator than the look of happiness on the face of someone whom you have cared for or helped. Ofcourse, it is easy for us to land up at the clinic and take prescriptions for Depression but dont forget they come with their side effects. Interacting with people of similar age groups, sharing fond memories with them, helping each other can reduce dependency on drugs. One should try out all options before looking for prescriptions to allay depression. Exercise, Yoga, Prayers, Meditation, Deep Breathing, are various healthy options which may provide immense relief from Depression.These will also help in improving existing co-morbidities. With longevity going up, it remains for us to immprove our physical and mental health and attitudes so as to spend our sunset years in the happiest possible manner without becoming a painful baggage for our loved ones.

  - P G Gaikwad

• September 17, 2008 8:35 p.m.

  From the article: "There are not medications recommended specifically for the elderly to treat depression." Should it be "There are now..."?

  - Tom

• September 17, 2008 2:22 p.m.

  My social worker told me yesterday that aging also increases anxiety - is that as untrue as with depression or is she correct?

  - Norbert

• September 17, 2008 10:00 a.m.

  how do i get help for my mother that refuses to seek help? i cannot physically pick her up & take her to the doctor...she will not take her meds...she sleeps for a least 12 hours a day. i do not have room in my home for her to live with my family & i cannot go to her house everyday hours on end to make sure that she eats, takes her meds & is on a regular schedule. where do i start??? please help...

  - rc

• September 16, 2008 3:56 p.m.

  Have been disabled by depression since 1990, but as my symptoms include a form of agoraphobia have been unable to find adequate treatment. Rely on internist for help.

  - Nancy Zewiey