Retirement Depression: Aha moment!

My Aha! Moment came when I discovered this website. Depression, that's it.

Since my retirement I was tired, un motivated to get up and do all those things I couldn't get around to while working, irritable.

When I read about retirement depression on this website, it was such a relief. It's depression and it can be dealt with. I felt relief immediately to know that many people have had the same experience.

I knew that retirement meant not having to get up and go to work every day. I knew what it wasn't, but not what it is. Now I am on a road to make this a rewarding and satisfying time of life.

Thank you. This website saved my life.

Comments for Retirement Depression: Aha moment!

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Retirement depression
by: Anonymous

I find it difficult to find friends. Would be nice if someone would call and say lets go out for dinner. Seems like everyone has their own friends.
Depression
by: Janice, missouri

Carolyn, amen agree so much with your post
MEDS ARE NOT THE ANSWER
by: DONNA ANTRIM

ANTI-DEPRESSION MEDS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION. THEY ARE COSTLY AND ONLY HIDE THE DEPRESSION TEMPORARILY.

FIND AN ORGANIZATION TO VOLUNTEER AT AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS OR EVEN JOIN A SENIOR CENTER.
Retirement depression
by: Carolyn

Yes - I thought it was only me but this web site really made me connect with those who were feeling exactly the same way - lack of purpose and structure, sad, scared, anxious, one person even said she felt "guilty" for not working.

I have felt all of these things - and thankfully this web site made me realize I was not alone and that was a relief - I was stunned by the number of people who felt as I did - very few said they just retired and loved it .

My friends, most of whom have retired, seemed to take it much better than I did - I am single and live alone and that can make it a bit more difficult - it took me a year and medication before I became my old self again - and even now I sometimes wonder if I would be better off working as retirement has made a little lazy.

I push myself out socially and do volunteer work - sometimes its still hard and seems easier to stay inside with a book but that can result in depression so you have to really keep busy most days.

This January I have treated myself to a Caribbean cruise with 2 friends who recently retired. Its costly but I really need to be good to myself after my depression upon retirement - it was truly the worst time of my life - but now I am back again.

It does get better.
Saved me too
by: Nancy

This website saved me too. I was 1.5 years into retirement when I found it. So many of the stories were similar to mine, and as you, I finally felt like I wasn't alone. Keep coming back!
Dear Anonymous...
by: Wendy

I am so thrilled you looked for help online!

Yes, depression and/or anxiety is not good -- but it sure is treatable. Get to your doctor, take meds and get your head back on straight -- later, you'll find your energy and way back to life again.

Seriously, Retirement ROCKS after you get there. It definately takes time, for many of us, but once you figure it out -- who am I and what the heck will I do for the rest of my life -- its so good.

Thanks EVER so much for writing on my site -- this helps to share with other retirees that simply the acknowledgement of "its not just me" helps! Immensely too!

It also helps me know and remember WHY I am doing all of this.... I spend so much time with this site and its always heart-warming to know I helped! Thank you again!

Best wishes!

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