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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 12:44:54
Any thoughts on whether the age of the person who is taking antidepressants might effect the outcome. In other words would a young person do better when they might have an education, new work field, marriage, or a child to look forward to differ from someone older that has lived their life? I'm a ruminator and thinking and do have OCD thoughts. Just wondering. Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on October 2, 2010, at 13:04:44
In reply to Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 12:44:54
> Any thoughts on whether the age of the person who is taking antidepressants might effect the outcome. In other words would a young person do better when they might have an education, new work field, marriage, or a child to look forward to differ from someone older that has lived their life? I'm a ruminator and thinking and do have OCD thoughts. Just wondering. Phillipa
Many people have reactive or what you call situational depression. Younger people have more options so they have things to look forward to. As we get older our options are less therefore it's harder to do cbt. A lot of older people take ads because being older can be depressing. Feeling chronic pain and not being able to do the things you used to is hard. Also not like I can go back to college for a new career. So there is actually more of a need for a good ad. A lot of older people self medicate on pain meds.
I keep rotating meds and do find meds that help my mind.
Posted by europerep on October 2, 2010, at 15:47:11
In reply to Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 12:44:54
philippa, don't forget that everything you mention as positive things can also create very much pressure.. pressure to get a good education (not easy in depression), pressure to get a good job, pressure to find someone before age X, pressure to be a good parent, etc..
you have already mastered these challenges ;)that being said, I am sure there are differences.. there are definitely differences in terms of how long one has been suffering from depression, and the earlier the onset the worse depressions tends to be (in general).. but I don't think that age predisposes to depression if that's what you've been thinking.
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 19:48:41
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by europerep on October 2, 2010, at 15:47:11
See I want to return to school to return to working but retirement age this years need to earn money and RN pay is great so for me it's depressing to not be able to do what I used to do. I also understand the horrific pressure younger people are under these day. Maybe that is why my 30's and 40's were so great. Right in the middle of life. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on October 2, 2010, at 20:49:43
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by bulldog2 on October 2, 2010, at 13:04:44
>A lot of older people take ads because being >older can be depressing. Feeling chronic pain >and not being able to do the things you used to >is hard. Also not like I can go back to college >for a new career. So there is actually more of a >need for a good ad. A lot of older people self >medicate on pain meds.
Yeah, but younger people have a lot more stressors which older people don't have. Older people don't need to worry about nervous breakdowns before major exam periods, or taking care of screaming kids & aging parents, or (hopefully) finding employement etc. etc.
Every stage of life (so long as you're not in chronic physical pain, or immobile etc.) has its roses and thorns.
When I turned 20, I got severely depressed over the fact that I wasn't a teen anymore, so a "grass is greener" over there attitute does not depend on ones age.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2010, at 21:02:17
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by linkadge on October 2, 2010, at 20:49:43
Link will you care for me as my kids won't. I don't know about grass is always greener cause I see numerous posts how in l0 or 20 years new meds will make the ones today archaic. So I feel younger have a better chance at becoming well. I look at 10 or 20 years and might not even be here anymore. Just how I feel. Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on October 3, 2010, at 12:18:29
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by linkadge on October 2, 2010, at 20:49:43
> >A lot of older people take ads because being >older can be depressing. Feeling chronic pain >and not being able to do the things you used to >is hard. Also not like I can go back to college >for a new career. So there is actually more of a >need for a good ad. A lot of older people self >medicate on pain meds.
>
> Yeah, but younger people have a lot more stressors which older people don't have. Older people don't need to worry about nervous breakdowns before major exam periods, or taking care of screaming kids & aging parents, or (hopefully) finding employement etc. etc.
>
> Every stage of life (so long as you're not in chronic physical pain, or immobile etc.) has its roses and thorns.
>
> When I turned 20, I got severely depressed over the fact that I wasn't a teen anymore, so a "grass is greener" over there attitute does not depend on ones age.
>
> Linkadge
>Yes but the one thing I have that you don't is the experience of being able to evaluate each life stage. Once your old you are closer to the end and that cannot be turned back. I'd rather be your age and deal with stressors. Wait to you feel the chronic pain of a failing body. That doesn't get better.
I'm not saying your issues are not horrendous however there is something very wierd about getting older that is hard to describe.
Posted by Phillipa on October 3, 2010, at 19:39:37
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by bulldog2 on October 3, 2010, at 12:18:29
Bulldog yes I think of it as a 12 inch ruler and 6 inches representing age 40, and so that means 80 is 12 inches long. Make any sense to you? Nothing to look forward to but more docs visits etc. And what happens to us when we are gone? We don't know? Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 8, 2010, at 22:41:45
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect?, posted by linkadge on October 2, 2010, at 20:49:43
> Yeah, but younger people have a lot more stressors which older people don't have.
I disagree with you Link. Maybe they don't have the SAME stressors as younger people but they do have stressors.
-Will I have enough money to live on?
-I am so lonely that I am depressed?
-Why has my family left me on my own?
- I feel like I am going crazy because I can't remember anything anymore. Am I getting dementia?
- It is really hard to live in this age of technology when I have no knowledge about it. It stresses me just to go to the bank.
- All my friends are dying, when will it be my turn?
- Do I have cancer?
- I don't have the mental capacity to remember when my bills are due and to pay them on time.
- I am other medication that causes depression
Trust me. A lot of older people have stress. Their stressors don't seem like stressors to us, but they are.
Posted by Maxime on October 9, 2010, at 16:11:19
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect? » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on October 3, 2010, at 19:39:37
> Bulldog yes I think of it as a 12 inch ruler and 6 inches representing age 40, and so that means 80 is 12 inches long. Make any sense to you? Nothing to look forward to but more docs visits etc. And what happens to us when we are gone? We don't know? Phillipa
Hi Phillipa, I know that you are down about getting older. You say that you have nothing to look forward to. I know you spend a lot of time on the computer (ebay and here). Maybe you could spend some of that time being around real people. I am sure that are groups where you live that you would enjoy. I think you need a hobby. Something that you could work on instead of focusing on "what is". Or do some volunteer work.
You can't be in front of the computer all day. Or maybe you could plan a special day out where you pamper yourself. Go to a spa and have massage. Get your hair done. There are a lot of things that you can try. I bet that right now all your days are the same. I know what that is like. You need to break up your day with other activities. I don't know what you do Ebay (i think you selling a line of something) but those orders will still be there when you get back to your computer.
Anyhow, those are just my thoughts.
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2010, at 19:09:21
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on October 9, 2010, at 16:11:19
Oh out in the stores, talk to people, buy stuff to sell on ebay, ride my bike talk to people I know. I hate being inside. Since not lights off til 3am don't get up til 11am. So it seems like I'm always on the computer really not as now it the time I spend on it. Morning late just look to see what's new. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 10, 2010, at 14:04:38
In reply to Re: Could Age of The Med Taker For Depression Effect? » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2010, at 19:09:21
I still think you need a hobby or a group you can spend time with. Create a circle of friends if you can. I know it's really hard to this when you are depressed, but you have to try. I have a good circle of friends, but not all in Montreal, my circle is all stretched out! LOL!
This is the end of the thread.
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