Any women here over 50?

Capp, I hear ya'

Well, I don't know. I'll be 55 in a month. I thought this was a site for people who have been diagnosed w/mental disorders & I was wondering what you all have been diagnosed with because I want it!! Give me your DSM code, please, so I can write down the symptoms & try to "catch" it as you are having way too much fun for "mentally ill" people.

So a little about me--yes, I'm in your age group, but I guess I'm struggling w/a few different things. No hot flashes (I wish that were my problem), but bipolar disorder cycling & have had some major problems w/a really bad period of depression that led to some drastic behaviors on my part...

Emergency room--pumping my stomach kind of stuff--which I hadn't done in many, many years as my mother had--well, don't want to spoil the party here.

Have 2 grown children. 33 yr.-old daughter who is a law prof. married to a lawyer & a 29 yr.-old son who is a civil engineer (single) & they are remarkably still close to me & maintain a loving relationship w/me despite the hardship of having me as a mother. I was open w/them about my illness when they were growing up.

Also, been married 35 yrs. to my high school sweet heart (been together since I was 15 & he was 16 & we met at boarding school). Yes, he is a saint to have gone through all he has w/me.

So we are nearing retirement age (for him). I only work part-time. We have a 2nd home that we will relocate to in a year, hopefully. Meanwhile, we go there once a month (Southwest)--live in the Midwest--as he can telecommute w/his job & my job is very flexible.

So are any of you dealing w/mental health issues as well?

I'm still in intensive therapy & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (group therapy/class) & take several medications. It is a daily struggle to maintain wellness.

Looks like you all are having a great party! Do I hear Jimmy Buffet singing in the background??--Suzy

Suzy,
I don't think they've diagnosed our "condition" yet.
But humor has helped me many, many times to throw off that depression inching its' way up my legs and into my brain.

Mine are Depression, PTSD, CSA survivor, and a few others that haven't been named yet, either.
I'm on meds, practice alternative methods, try and be involved here at PC, and a multitude of little things to keep me happy.

I was depressed about 3.5 minutes after I left my Mum's uterus...and I've gone in and out of it all my life--the depression, not her uterus.

Welcome!

Cap

I don't know that we have a condition, as it were, except that many of us seem to get slammed with so many problems when we hit the 50 mark. The body hits a weird stage, and society wants to push us aside for a younger model.

For me I'm still having periods every month (getting close to age 55); I'm about to get an MA in English; the employment outlook is down the toilet; and my adored mother died in January. I would kill myself if it wasn't because I can't do that to my animal companions.

If there is anyone among us who isn't on meds, I'd like to hear about it.

After all the problems I have been through in life, and everyone else, what we do need is a good laugh! There is lots of good out there, and these days, I am preferring to find that, and get away from my depressing, always angry, daughter. I have tadpoles on my table that I caught with my sons little ones. Now ,that makes me smile!

What a delight to hear from you all! It has made a certain sadness and lonliness subside. Still hope to all pile into a chat room one day and have a 'conflab' (just thinking, where did that word come from and really would anyone under 50 even know what it means?! LOL).

I'm over 50, too.
Back problems; knee issues; flab around the middle.
Oh, and don't forget the bifocals!

I've got my cat and my gold fish to keep me company now.
My son's grown, (well, age wise anyway, lol!)
Got rid of the ex 9 years ago, (should have been 29 years ago!)
Haven't had sex since,
and that's about the only thing I miss...

Parents are both gone, RIP.
Six siblings with fairly good relationships.

And I'm still crazy after all these years!
(To borrow from Paul Simon!
And only those of us 50 somethings would remember him! )

Peace!

I'm over 55 though I feel much younger emotionally. I don't look my age and that's a mixed blessing. I've always hated to look young because people are so surprised when they find out my real age. I try not to tell them, though.

I'm a grandmother. That's a wonderful part of being older!! But I now have prediabetes and am getting cataracts. I am always tired. I got kind of depressed on my last birthday because I'm really OLD. I know the number really doesn't mean anything, and I could care less the age of anyone on a forum. It's just the content that is important.

It's nice to have this thread for us "oldies but goodies"!!

I used to be a Hayley Mills fan.

Ooooooo, I was so in love with Haley Mills! (blond hair has always caught my eye!) My friends and I used to re-enact Pollyanna & in Search of the Castaways all the time. Should have heard us Savannah, Georgia children mimicking a London accent - LOL!

I was crushed when she married that man who was 30 years older than her, seemed crazy then!

Notz--what about The Parent Trap? I still watch it occasionally. There is a video with Hayley as an adult, now, talking about the filming, and about the double, how they filmed her twice, etc. Fascinating!

Did you see Tiger Bay? That was her first movie, with Horst Bucholtz and also her father, John Mills. I must have seen it 50 times, as I recorded it from TV. My friend and I had a HM scrapbook, and we wrote her letters.

Yeah, I got so disillusioned when she married that guy. She didn't age so well, either. She looks terribly old. Her birthday was April 19th. and she was 63, I think. I used to know EVERYTHING about her and her family.

I was 58-1/2 yesterday at 5:58 p.m.! Can I play? :-)

We're going Friday night to the grandson's 4th birthday party (just had granddaughter's 5th a month and a half ago).

58-1/2...well, that's kind of young, but, what the heck, join in

Hmmm...I was born at 5:58 a.m. 8/11/54. We have something in common

Another Over Fifty...Way Over Fifty...Way Way Over Fifty
Sigh, am I *too* old to be here in this thread?

If I am then I'll take my lotions and potions and other interesting playthings home...

Catherine

I turned 54 today!!! I struggle with depression, PTSD, anxiety. I'm new to this site. I agee, issues are different for people (women) our age. I'd like to hear from someone who is in my age group. Anyone else out there interested???

I am 60! I posted once already, but I'm not sure what the focus of this thread is supposed to be. Catherine, you're not to old no matter how old you are!

u2, what issues do you want to discuss? Anything is okay with me.

Rainbow8 and Notz:

I loved the Parent Trap with Hayley Mills. Did you have a hairstyle like hers? I tried to. Fun to hear others who thought the same.

I'm 58, so it's fun to hear from all of you over 50's for no particular reason, just because. Anyone posting songs on Forum from these years.

Just for no reason,

ICE

A belated Happy Birthday!
There are so many more of us than I expected, and it is a good feeling for me.

Catherine

rainbow8, I don't think there is any focus yet.

issues, issues
Something happened today that royally POd me. I wear my hair short and spiky, have to as it thinned our for a variety of reasons.
"Gee lady! Aren't you too old for that hair style?"
"No you little poop. Now leave me alone before I call the cops and tell 'em you tried to steal my purse."

What gave that little poop the right to ask this question?!
Anyone else have similar events you would like to share?

Catherine

I think people are too nosy about other people's looks and their age! They are rude!!! I have an unusual problem in that I look much younger than my age, but I've always hated that! I always thought people thought I was immature. When I was 21 they thought I was still in high school. When I had a baby they thought I was too young for that. When I was 45, my allergist said "I don't believe you're 45!" My current allergist just told me I'm a young looking grandmother. Well, I know they are compliments but I wish people would just shut up!!

When I meet someone and we compare notes about what high school we went to, I don't have to wait long for the inevitable: Oh, I'm MUCH older than you. I'm usually older than they are! If I tell them, they don't believe me. Or, "at my age"...... I'm their age too.

I don't wear much make-up but even if I did (but I don't want to) I'd still look young, I guess. It runs in my family. I know I should be happy to look younger, but people are so, so annoying when they make the above comments. I guess they think they are giving me a compliment, but to me it's belittling, though it isn't meant to be.

I'm 54 and yes, sometimes it is beneficial to speak with someone who has experienced pop culture with the same aged eyes, but as for the heart, well my friends are usually younger and I'm good with that, so are they. It's very individual, but i hear you. Yes, there are times, I mean, when i told my daughter I was having hot flashes and was officially menopausal she told me she'd just be laughing when i flashed. Not amused, not amusing, but she won't know that for a good few years, will she? I told her I'd be laughing at her when her turn comes and she didn't like that! Mothers and daughters ... aaaaaargh. But we love each other lots. See, we 50s + DO have some special needs ...

Originally posted by Catherine2:

I will be 51 shortly. I am heading through a lot of changes in my life which is what brought me here in the first place. I lost my husband and father to cancer a three years ago. I have been raising a 17 year old daughter who will be off to college come fall (hopefully). And I will have nothing left but work..........I really need to get a life again....

I would like chatting with other women my age for a change. Most of the people I work with are younger and most are male. I chat with a few of the women, but they too are younger........I am the old fuddy duddy who I has experience but they are sharp and technologically advanced. Most of the time I shake my head and laugh because they really just don't have a clue.....ah how it would be nice have someone to talk and laugh with that understands............

I will be 56 next month and not dreading it at all. Just glad that menopause is almost over!!! That has been the worst part of getting older for me.

I feel ( in my head and heart) like I stopped aging at about 25. My friends usually are younger and I enjoy pop culture and like a lot of the new groups. The Fray, Death Cab for Cuties and Adam Lambert on American Idol is my favorite.
What's wrong with a little age?? My husband is 66 and the youngest and coolest guy I've known. We have been married 4 years and know how to handle things at this stage of our lives. We love to ride the Harley and we both are respected by our peers and co-workers for enjoying life while being responsible.
I also like the wisdom that age brings. If only I knew then...............

Hi EnglishMajor,

I was happy to see your post, I"ll be 51 in a couple of months. And I know exactly what u mean. I think that would be great. I'm new here, just learning about posting. Anyway I'm a mom of 3, one still at home,graduating this year. My husband's plant is closing soon,unless a miracle happens, so I know what you mean, seems long ago to me also.
Sounds great to me , if I can just find it.

Having been on our own for the past 6 years or more eg; children are adults now, I find I am looking at my husband and keep thinking I am not your mother honey, and saying 'Please listen to me as I will only say this once' and then whatever the request is.

He is hard of hearing but will not go in to get his hearing checked. I've stopped nagging.

He has other health issues and when he complains, I remind him I have already spoken to him once about it and I gently remind him he is not a child of mine, so as a man of 60, if he can't look after his own health then what can I do. I have enough worries of my own.

I find it very hard when he follows me everywhere about the house or outside, even into the loo I feel like screaming, 'Please get a hobby and leave me alone so I can about my day'

At 52 I find now I can not tolerate other people as much as I did when younger and find most are just idiots with very little going on in their heads. I just don't bother with the amount of time to get to know them as I feel am just wasting my time and energy.

I have in the past few years stopped being the great friend, the one that always rings, or travels to see them (which in my case is hours of driving) to never see them visiting me because I am so far away and never seem to get the phone calls from them, just to catch up.

Odd that? Must be the age LOL!