Anonymous asked this question on 4/23/2000:

I have suffered through and thought I had regained my mental health after two long episodes of severe clinical depression in l992 and l994. I took early retirement in 9/91 at age 62, and soon recognized that something was wrong with my mental health. It was NOT due to retirement, it was due to my husband who was a manic-depressive, and was in a very manic condition at that time, and also because my best friend of 20 years told me she had inoperable cancer. We were very close and supportive of each other as long as I can remeber. She became sicker and sicker, and died a miserable death in 9/92. I lost my friend and her generous support. From the time I heard she had cancer, and observed her long suffering, I was in deep depression, and wasn't much good to anyone or myself. Professionals helped get me through this lst depression. Then in late spring of 1994, I recognized that I was again in another depression. At this time, I moved down to another state to be with my daughter and family. My husband reluctantly moved down with me (I really didn't want him to). Professionals helped me again. By the lst of 1996, I felt normal again. For the last year or two, it seems sometimes I am in some form of depression. I find myself in tears (in private, or on the phone with my two children who I sometimes have an disagreement with) I sleep very late in the AM..sometimes up to 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. even. I do that when I don't have anything to do that day but household work. I do stay up late at night till l:00 watching TV etc.-but I don't know if that's an excuse to sleep so late the next morning. I have taken the anti-anxiety pill, name of Clonzepam for at least the last 6 years, now prescribed by my MD who's well aware of my problems. That has always pretty well assured me of a good night sleep. Yes, I am addicted, like I' addicted to a good night's sleep. This frequent crying of mine, when I feel down about something, and sleeping just about everyday so late makes me wonder if I'm in a state of depression. I am 71 years old now. I do volunter work twice a week and "babysit" my 4 and 8 year old granddaughters often. I am fairly active, have a few good friends, but not like the one I had that died. I miss a friend like that. I sure wish she was still alive, but she's been gone for 8 years now, and I've adjusted to that by now. My husband did not allow me to grieve for her normally. He made fun of me and told me to pull myself by my boot straps. He died 1/98. He was in a nursing home for 3 years..while I was in a depression, and I thought I became well again. I could write a book on all this, but I better quit, and ask you what you think, advice, whatever. Am I still in some phase of depression?. I'll be taking Effexor the rest of life. I have cut down to l pill a day, when I use to take 2. Maybe I should go back to 2. Thanks.

Theresa57 gave this response on 4/25/2000:

Dear Anonymous. The symptoms that you describe yourself as having certainly are indicative of depression. You have mentioned several issues that may need to be addressed. At this time, I would recommend that you do seek counseling/therapy with a qualified professional who can help you work through the things that may be contributing to your depression. It is not uncommon for someone of your age to become depressed. Many people suffer from this after retirement for many reasons. Also, you are reaching as age where most people begin to become concerned with their health, which can be affected by depression. Keep in mind, also, that when we are in a state of depression, our thoughts tend to get all jumbled up, our ability to concentrate becomes affected, we may not be following a good diet or getting the physical exercise that we may need. Also, continued depression can lead to physical/medical problems if not treated. I do agree with the use of anti-depressant medication; however, also believe that any person who is taking this type of medication for depression needs to be involved in therapy. Since I do not know if your income is limited in any way, I do suggest that you explore available therapists that may use a sliding fee scale that is based on income. You may want to check into the availability of counseling centers in your area that can provide this type of fee scale. Also, contacting the social service dept. at your local hospital, or at a psychiartic hospital, can be a good source of information as to available therapists or counseling centers in your area. You may want to explore the availability of any therapists that specialize in issues associated with geriatrics. It just isn't easy to "pull yourself up by boot straps" unless you have the kind of help and support that you may need. Another area of support for you could be any support groups that may be held in your area for problems that are similar to yours. Again, checking with local hospitals and psychiatric hospitals would be a good beginning point to find out about these. I want to caution you about adjusting your Effexor without seeing someone who is knowledgable about this medication and how it interacts with other medications that you may be on. Drug/drug interactions can have serious effects on us when we try to self medicate. I hope this information has been useful to you. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. Good Luck.