[Jojool]

Hi there to all. I am a 50 year old woman who has been dealing with depression issues for over 20 years. In the last year, however, it has gotten markedly worse. I now have anxiety and panic attacks, along with the depression. Finding a counselor or therapist has been very difficult, I finally found a psychiatrist that I trusted and she left the practice last month. I am now in search of another psychiatrist or therapist, but finding one that takes my insurance and that I feel comfortable with has been a real challenge.

My mood is either sad or I feel nothing at all. Recently my meds have been changed, and I am not sure if they are helping the depression but they have helped the anxiety and panic attacks, so that is a plus. I used to be very outgoing and pretty happy all the time. My poor husband doesn't know what to do with me now though, as I am a lump who doesn't care about anything.

I had major surgery (a total hip replacement) last August, and since then I have had no interest in my passion which is horseback riding. I have no desire to even go out an pat my horses, nevermind riding them. Before my surgery, I was a very active horseback rider, riding 5 days per week or more. Now that my hip is in good shape, I have no desire. It makes me even sadder and mad at myself for not wanting to do what I have always done. It is the one good thing I did in my life, now it is just in the past.

Will my life get back to 'normal' or will I always feel this way? Am I destined to be a lump on the couch or can it get better? I hate 'whining' but I know there are others out there (now that I've found this site) that feel the same way. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[regretful]

Welcome...I'm a 48 year old man who has been dealing with depression for about 6 years. Five medications and one hospital stay for seven days in that time. I don't know how recently your medication change was, but most do take 4-6 weeks for hitting that effective mark. Keep looking for a therapist; they do help. And like a trusted friend told me, it is the depression that makes you think it will last forever, but it will pass. It can get better. I did get better about a year ago, was even off of all medication. I'm back in a depressive episode, but I know it won't last forever. Best to you.

[Altered Moment]

Welcome to PC. You are not alone here.
I am also 50 and have been being treated for 20 years. It started when I was 13. It has gotten much worse for me in recent years with the addition of anxiety which I never used to have. I hope your meds work out for you.

[gayleggg]

Hi. Glad you found PC. I'm 61 and been depressed off and on since my early thirties. Therapy does help and being on the right medication can work wonders. Keep posting. It will help you feel not so alone.

[Jojool]

Thanks to you all for your kind words. It's nice to know I'm not alone.