depression and chronic unemployment

[tornandfrayed]

I have suffered from intractable chronic migraine since age 22 which lead to a steady decline in work opportunities,friends and relationships etc.
Now after years of anxiety and dysthymia which probably are a result of chronic pain at age 52 I can no longer stay employed on a regular basis.
Is it time to throw in the towel and check out or is there another way?

[tornandfrayed]

I guess we are among the stronger to bear these chronic burdens for so long as well as many other courageous folks on this forum....too many to name but you know who you are.
Have been fighting some kind of flu going around thankfully so many people bringing thermos of hot tea/coffee and cold aids to me when at the park.
Just had a little bit of time to respond to all while eating here at vet dining hall and reading/computer center.
Too tired to even pay attention today.....thanks everyone

[umya]

my father suffered the same way you describe.  dont choose his path.  get help, please.  psychotherapy and perhaps meds would have made all of our lives better.  dont give up.  

[lostsoul2]

My heart goes out to you.  I feel very much the same way.  I'm a 33 year old father of 3, and I lost my job about 7 months ago.  I blew out 2 discs in my lower back and can't do the physical work I've done all my life.  My wife works, and she is supporting us.  I can't get disability, and to make it worse I became addicted to the pain meds I was prescribed.  Now I am going through the usual depression I've had for most of my life plus the crushing depression brought on by opiate withdrawal.   I have no direction, no idea of what tomorrow will bring.  The only thing I'm sure of is that when I get up in the morning I will feel like total s*** and wish I didn't ever wake up again.  I'm on two different anit-depressants and Klonopin for anxiety.  So i understand your feelings.  I can't really help much, but I can let you know that you are not alone in feeling this way.  Feel free to message me or whatever if you feel you need to get something out.  Just hang on.  You will hurt more people than you know if you do anything drastic.  And remember, don't look back with all regret.  The road ahead may seem dark, but with some help maybe we can mke tomorrow a little brighter.

[tornandfrayed]

Thanks you kindly for all your words of support.
I have been through drug trials and a wide assortment of migraine preventatives over the years which have been hit and miss(mostly misses with terrible side effects).
I had been sleeping in the latrine at local park for about a week until they could find a place for me here at the shelter.
A very kind lady in the office allows folks computer time in the afternoon and evening to escape boredom of TV.
I see a lot of missed opportunities behind me and darkness up ahead.

[fuzzy882]

I felt the same way 4 years. ago. I let this "disorder" take over. I actually gave up.  I thank God for not letting me. It may of taken me 4 years to figure it out but I did, and I will NOT let this get the best of me. I started back to work yesterday, Yes, Im frightened, but giving in was even more frightening. I'm 51 yrs old. Still alot ahead of me. And only I can do it. You can do it to. Just dont give up....

[Salyna]

Don't give up.  Are you on any medication?  If so, maybe it's time to re-evaluate it.  52 is still young, so you have plenty of time to figure this out and live a quality life.  Maybe it's time to change your lifestyle?  Are you eating right, exercising, etc?  These things will naturally make you feel better.  I know it sounds hoaky, but it's very true.  Good luck to you!

[wellbee]

please don't check out ... am 50 and i hate workin, than on top of that i'm clinically depressed so workin seems like such a difficult move weather am feelin good or not.  what keeps me lookin forward is faith ... that things will get better ... thats all I got ... i'm pennyless i'm losin my home to forcloser and i still have a child in my home.