Depression

[50 target]

PLUSPEA, you called it right when you called it a demon. Suffered from it for years and my primary care doctor prescribed Wellbutrin and then Prozac. After a while it was worse not better. Went through the range of emotions that you described. Finally my doctor referred me to a urologist as I hadn't been to one and the diabetes I suffer from was agood reason to go. He did the blood work and found some of my hormones low and I started taking shots. He told me the world would look a lot better in 30 days. WOW, what a difference. Now I'm not saying that will work for you but handling stress effectively depends in large part to how you feel. Have a good physical and hormone levels checked. If all is well there, then my next suggestion is not to elicit any comments from others but we are spiritual creatures as well as physical. We are hard wired with a hole that is only filled with the presence of a loving God. HE is there, we have to want that relationship . Have I been where I have suffered. Yes, my faith was all that carried me before the doctor found the reason for the imbalance. I have found HIS presence reassuring, HIS love unconditional, and HIS blessings beyond compare. Now to let you know that I have a track record I've lost a job through merger, I'm 63 so not much I can do to keep up with the younger crowd, but we have what they don't, real life experience, knowledge, but HE has taken care of me and never missed a meal or a bill. I am diabetic, had foot surgery 3 times and each time my surgeon says "this is bad" and each time he just shakes his head at my recovery. Been in 4 car wrecks from low sugar and each time someone who was uniquely qualified to take care of me was present. What I am trying to say is that there is someone bigger than all of our problems. HE is known as the great I AM, but HE is also the great I WILL, and the great I WANT TO. if you have a friend or family member who attends church, reach out to them and attend. The very best to you and yours.
Bob
P.S. Read Isaiah 41:10, 1Peter 5:7, Jeremiah 32:27, and Jeremiah 29:11-13, they have been a lot fo comfort to me.
I think you will find comfort in those.

 

[woftrax]

50 Target is right on about male hormone levels..after age 60 testosterone plunges(decreasing by 1%/yr after age 30)..My gerontologist put me on injections 5 years ago at age 69..His nurse trained me to administer the shots myself and medicare pays for most of the serum ..
The low safe level is 300ng/ml of blood..a shot every 3 weeks will help a lot if you are low...depression is a symptom of low levels in men..

 

[Newfyman]

You have my prayers and as others have said, Jesus IS the Great Physician and He specializes in depression. I can tell you from personal experience the He can and will heal. One of the most important things that anyone ever told me was that sleep is a natural results of being tired. If I'm tired, laying in bed and cannot go to sleep then God is performing a maricle to keep me awake and it is because He wants to talk to me. Therefore any time that I can't sleep I start praying and ask the Lord what HE wants to talk about. Unually it is something that I don't want to talk about with Him but I need to. If I give in and deal with what He wants then I find myself praising Him for how much He loves me and how He wants what is best for me. I go to sleep praising Him and the depression is gone! As I say, I speak from personal experience that this works and I recommend it to everyone who knows the Lord. May you hear the Lord as He speaks and respond to Him. He will bless and heal you!

 

[GatorFarmer]

Prozac dosages have to be adjusted/tweaked and some people need to take something else with it. A mental health professional such as a psychiatrist would be a better treatment provider than a generic MD. Some pain meds at various doses could be part of the problem, either too much or not enough. Background chronic pain sometimes causes all sorts of problems.

Walmart and McDonalds are both usually hiring. Both aren't always providers of great jobs, but the former at least has certain standards and the latter gives you free meals.

Nearby hospitals may have extensive out patient therapy programs. Most states, and Federal law, only impact your right to have guns if you've been adjudicated mentally ill and not had your sanity restored. A few such as MI don't allow permits for carry if someone has an active diagnosis of mental illness, but in general, someone in the United States can be as depressed, odd, or even howling at the moon crazy as they want and still stack guns to the ceiling.

If you are, or become, suicidal, dial 911 or go to your nearest ER.

 

[zercool]

Good luck, I think that's the best support I can give. Advice is here from lots of sources.

I've struggled with (admittedly, self-diagnosed) seasonal depression since junior high school. Didn't recognize it for what it was until this past year when my bride laid it all out for me. I haven't gone the medication route yet, but it's not off the table. I try to do things that keep me happy instead.

 

[Hotcoley]

I'm so sorry that you are having a rough go of things. It seems like we always get kicked when we are down.Sounds like your job is the culprit. My only advice to you is to sit down with your wife, evaluate where things are right now, and see if it would be possible to quit that awful job, and start getting yourself healthy again. I know what it is like to have a high stress job, where your body just kills you every day and you dread going to work. That is no way to live your one and only life that you have. Your health is the most important thing. I will pray for you, please try and stay positive.

 

[50 target]

NEWFYMAN,

You are right on with your statements. HE deals it straight and when we get straight, things get better. As tough as HE is , no doubt in my mind anyway that HE loves me.

Take care.