I am getting really depressed. Trying to pull out

[leftyladyfrommo]

but everday the news gets worse.

And to make it worse my old dog is not doing well. I am having trouble coping with losing her.

Poor Biden is going to have a rough few weeks with Afghanistan and Covid.

I do think the anti vaccine voices here in KCMO are quieting down now that the daily news is flooded with Covid catastrophes here in Missouri. And a lot of people here are from Arkansas. They used to laugh at vaccinated people and call them sheep and worse. But the numbers just keep climbing and almost all of the hospitalized and dying are unvaccinated. And so many more young healthy people are getting sick.

[The Blue Flower]

1. I stopped watching the news this week

It got to me, too, and I'm usually optimistic. I'm reading a great historic novel, The Pillars of the Earth, and am watching old tv comedies and movies.

[Texaswitchy]

2. Stay busy doing other things.

Stay busy to distract yourself.

Nothing we can do about the unvaxed.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. I don't have a TV but I have been reading more.

I have Louise Penny's All The Devils Are Here.

I can go back to the library now. That helps.

It's so hard to not be able to get close to anyone. I live alone. I still feel so isolated.

[mgardener]

49. Her new book is

Out on Tues.

[leftyladyfrommo]

65. I am just starting Harlan Coban's Win. And I have a PD James

Sitting here.

[Lonestarblue]

57. Check out your local senior center. Mine just started exercise classes again.

They’re limited to 10 people in a very large room, and everyone is vaccinated plus they do temperature checks. The only non-employees allowed in the center at the time are those pre-registered for the class. Most of the people in the class are in their late 60s or older, and some are not as able as others to do all the exercises but they are moving, which is great and I believe helps with depression. It has also been good to get back to seeing exercise class friends and just to get out of the house for some fun!

[Dream Girl]

8. I read that one many years ago. Really enjoyed it. I may have even read it twice.

[mopinko]

4. i think we are all different people now

than we were on 1/2020.

i've been asking people about that, and every.single.one. has a story.
i'm almost radically different. not all in good ways.
it's been a national trauma.

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. Mary Trump was talking about that.

It feels like I am caught in a never ending nightmare.

We just get one thing sorted out and another wave hits.

[mopinko]

31. it's been a fresh hell around every corner since 1/20.

some plague related, some sorta related, and some not at all.
and i still have a lot of shoveling out to do.

and yeah, i've seen a few interviews w mary trump. i hope people can hear her.
it's a hard conversation. but badly needed.

[wnylib]

5. Sending positive feelings your way

for you and your dog. What a difficult time for you.

Maybe a break from the news for a while would help with that part. Enjoy the time left with the dog and treasure the happy memories. Losing beloved pets is so painful and we can only let ourselves work through it.

Know that there are people who understand and care.

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. I think losing a dog is one of the worst things someone

can go through. For some people it's wirse than losing a person.

[GoodRaisin]

41. For many, it's losing a loved one and a companion.

I lost my 11 year old dog in February. I agree with you it’s a very hard thing to go through. All you can do is value the time you have left with your dog. They just don’t live long enough for all the love we invest in them.

[leftyladyfrommo]

56. Abd they are such a constant in everyday life.

I am so used to hearing her and feeling her with me. I try to take it one day at a time.

Yesterday wasn't too good. Her back legs are going out.
Today is better. I am trying a new supplement along with her pain pills. I think it might be helping. She seems to be able to jump up on the bed better. Getting down is the hard part.

We endure.

Thank you for the thoughts.

[GoodRaisin]

62. Another family member has a 13 year old dog

she is giving gabapentin, which seems to have helped him with the getting up and down. He pretty much jumps up and down on couches and beds without any problems since using the gabapentin. He was really dragging before.

Don’t know if this helps but thought I would let you know. Good luck with your pup.

[leftyladyfrommo]

64. She takes gabepentin and metacam. And they did really

help at first. I also give wild salmon oil and a good joint supplement. She would be a mess w/o her pain meds.

[hamsterjill]

66. Are you familiar with "golden paste"?

The turmeric recipe that many swear by? I’ve seen lots of dogs and cats benefit from it. Turmeric by itself does not work well as it does not get absorbed. But the golden paste recipe makes it more easy for the body to absorb. You can Google or check out the Facebook group for more info.

[leftyladyfrommo]

68. Thank you. I will ck it out. nt

[hamsterjill]

70. The original and best recipe was developed by Doug English

See this link:

https://www.turmericlife.com.au/blogs/recipes/turmeric-recipes-golden-paste

Very easy to make at home.

[PatSeg]

6. You are not alone

It is really hard to stay positive and optimistic these days. I keep looking for distractions.

[niyad]

7. Sending hugs. Spend time with your doggo. Do you have youtube? Plenty of

movies and TV shows you can watch for free ( I have seen all the David Suchet Poirot episodes, Marple, lots of movies). It helps.

And, although not in person, your DU family is always here.

[LuckyCharms]

9. Hi leftylady.

I am no mental health professional, but I will give you my opinion based on my own experiences with major depression.

1) I think that there is something abnormal with anyone who IS NOT feeling some form of depression at this point.

2)If you are agreeable to medications, and feel that your symptoms are bad enough, please pursue a psychiatrist to see if meds my be a solution.

3) Eat good healthy food.

4) Exercise if you are able.

5) If you like music, listen to it as much as you can. Always have music playing that you like, if that is your thing.

6) Do whatever is necessary to protect yourself from Covid.

7) Cry freely.

8) Make constant efforts to actually force negative thoughts out of your mind and replace them with happy memories.

9) Picture yourself in the fetal position, and imagine yourself gently rolling down a grassy hill on a sunny day when things get bad. Picture yourself "rolling with" every bad situation that presents itself. Control what you can, and "roll with" what you can't control.

10) I'm sorry about what is going on with your dog. I've lost several, and there is really no way around the grief. What you can do right now is to give your friend all of the love she can handle. Remind yourself that you give her a good life. Tell her that you love her. she knows what that means. Give her the best medical care you can afford. Spend as much time with her as you can. Make her as comfortable as you can. All of these things will help both you and her.

11) Distract your mind with as many positive thoughts that you can.

12) Love yourself. Remind yourself that you are strong. Remember that you have brought joy to the world. Remember that people love you.

13) Turn the TV off.

14) Get outside and stay there as long as you can.

15) And again, don't be afraid to seek professional help if/when you need to.

16) Help others if you are able. This will do wonders in making you feel better.

You'll be OK, you will get through.

[WA-03 Democrat]

11. Thank you

Great list!

[LuckyCharms]

12. My pleasure, and thank you.

[panader0]

24. I agree.

[Lars39]

18. Re #5...Play music that makes you happy,

dancing optional.
Don’t listen to “downer” music unless you need to cry and can’t.

[leftyladyfrommo]

19. Thank you.

I am not sure if living alone makes things worse. Being stuck in the same house with someone that annoys you might be worse. I miss being close to my friends.

Missouri is bad right now so everyone that has any sense is staying away from other people.

My dog and I are eating Skinny Pop Kettle Corn Sweet Vanilla. We both really like that.

I don't have a TV but I think that may be a good thing right now.

[LuckyCharms]

23. My dog and I eat Black Jewel popcorn every night!

https://blackjewell.com/

[leftyladyfrommo]

29. Never heard of it. This popcorn is good. nt

[calimary]

38. 17) Gardening!

Walks around the neighborhood looking at gardens, flowers and trees can be quite restorative.

I’ve found that watching the garden grow is good therapy.

And it’s quiet.

And the birds are chirping.

If you plant pollinators, even in pots on a balcony, you may soon see bees taking advantage of another food source! And maybe even a hummingbird or two! A hummingbird feeder is wonderful!

Gardens and plantings help add a little more greenery to this weary world, and green is the color of healing and renewal and fresh starts.

[calimary]

43. 18) this other DU thread:

Adorable kitty-bitties from DUer Siwsan:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181548591

[mopinko]

39. #10- file under- make sure you suck up the good parts.

kurt vonnegut told a story about a beloved uncle who used to always comment, while drinking lemonade on a hot day, or some such sweet moment, 'well, if this isnt nice, i dont know what is.'
i've carried that with me. it rly does make a difference to take note of the amazing stuff we all have in our lives, somewhere.
cuz one way or another, they dont last.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. I agree. Here in STLMO, the voices against masks etc. seem to get muted now w/ the same

thing you're describing, that the daily death toll keeps going up and governor parnip / parson's actions during this crisis is basically zero, I guess he's of the opinion that if one doesn't do anything, things won't get worse when in fact, it's the opposite. Be safe out there in KC land...

[leftyladyfrommo]

20. Isn't our governor awful. Right there with Josh Hawley.

No wonder I am depressed.

[Another Jackalope]

13. Confirmation of the depression I contracted 15 years ago

in 2005, climate catastrophe realization kicked it off:

The strong probability (approaching 100%) that global industrial "civilization" will do nothing effective to combat it;
The probability of drought- and flood-induced crop failures in the Northern Hemisphere;
Fresh water shortages;
Weather changes due to alterations in the jet stream and the AMOC;
Increasingly severe weather and wildfires;
The rise of autocratic leaders;
The increased failure of states due to climate change, social strife, poor leadership, rising poverty and war;

I hate this.

[leftyladyfrommo]

21. Thanks. I will add that to my list.

Actually that bothers me a lot, too. The wild animals are not going to be able to survive. I think it's too late for them.

[panader0]

27. Dude, she's depressed already. You just added to it.

[leftyladyfrommo]

30. Is ok. I've heard it all before. At least we don't get

hurricanes in Missouri.

[panader0]

33. Happiness and sadness are opposite sides of the same thing.

Lucky's suggestions above are very good ones. Especially, for me, going outside. Nature
is glorious. He left out one suggestion that has to do with his avatar. It always works for me.

[Maraya1969]

14. There are certain stories that I just do not watch because they upset me too much.

It doesn't mean I don't care, it means I am too sensitive as it seems you are also.

I'm so sorry about your dog. I have 2 15 year olds and one of them is having a lot of problems. I know the writing on the wall.

We're here for you

PS - If you live by a humane society you might be able to foster a litter of kittens. Try not to get just one at a time because I've done that and now they are my cats.

[leftyladyfrommo]

25. I can't right now. I have 3 border collies and 2 are not

Cat friendly.

I have an outside cat that I watch out for. Someone moved off and left her.

[Sympthsical]

15. Don't read or watch the news then

Honestly, information can be an addiction. Especially when it isn't particularly useful information, which is 90% of the media we consume. The need to constantly know what's going on everywhere. Human anxiety systems are actually not equipped for that sort of thing. There was a recent study that anxiety levels in adolescents who consume social media regularly are that of a 50 year old adult.

Unplugging is a vital component of mental health and self-care.

News will keep. There is nothing going on today that you cannot wait until tomorrow or Tuesday to know about.

For an example, I just opened CNN.com. Let's see what's on offer.

- Hurricane news. I'm not in the NE, so this doesn't concern me. If you are or have family there, it does.

- Do not care about the NYC concert. Do not need to know anything Barry Manilow does ever.

- Afghanistan air lift. Very good. Do I need to know that right now? No. It's ok if I learn about it a day or two from now.

- Conservative talk show host no one's ever heard of dies of Covid. Not super interesting to me.

- Arizona audit. That will keep a few days.

- Covid stuff. Don't need. Am vaccinated and keeping myself safe. What other people do doesn't concern me. Afghanistan stuff. I am not working in the Pentagon, so I don't need a minute by minute update. I can read a summary another day if I'm not feeling it today.

Outside of the hurricane if you live there, there is literally nothing on that page you need to know about today. Or tomorrow. Or even by Wednesday.

Stress can be an addiction. There's this idea that we somehow need 24/7 "awareness" of all things. That being "informed" is a virtue. But what if that information is crap? What if that information is completely irrelevant a few days from now, or even by tomorrow? I know plenty of people who consider themselves "informed" because they're online all day. And yet, I talk with them for more than a few minutes and realize they know nothing at all. Garbage in, garbage out.

More people should try to break the addictive cycle. I unplug all the time. There are days I won't even look at news.

My blood pressure is also 110/76 as of this morning. Related?

Just a thought.

[leftyladyfrommo]

26. That's the truth. I am always checking. nt

[Treefrog]

40. ...

[StarryNite]

22. I'm so sorry your pup isn't doing well.

We just had to say goodbye to our final girl a few weeks ago. I still cry daily over not having her by my side anymore. It used to be that no matter how bad the world got if she was having a good day then I was having a good day.

I find that reading books is helpful. Right now I'm reading a new book "The Meaning of Life - When the Black Dog is Barking Up the Right Tree". It's really interesting. When I finish this one I want to immerse myself in a novel, probably a mystery. I'm also walking more. A phone app called "Walk for a Dog" - "WoofTrax" is my biggest motivation for that. You don't have to even be walking with a dog but it raises money for whichever organization you pick from their long list.


[link:https://www.wooftrax.com/|

[leftyladyfrommo]

28. I can't walk. My neighborhood isn't safe.

But I plan on making it to the park every morning once it cools down a little.

[Native]

32. I started taking pumpkin oil for one particular malady & it did double duty and kicked my depression

I was clinicly depressed for most of my twenties, so I recognized that I was heading in that direction again. 3 weeks into the pumpkin oil and I was like, who was that person? I then did more research and found that pumpkin seeds had been used in the U.K. to treat children with depression, and it had been very successful. I started my sister on it, and after a month she's like a new person.

[leftyladyfrommo]

34. Where do you get it? nt

[Native]

35. I use the Flora brand, and I buy it at Vitacost. Amazon also sells it.

I'll email you more details.

[TuxedoKat]

42. Please

Can you PM me as well. Thanks.

[Native]

47. Sure!

[Nay]

36. Native, would you kindly send me info on the pumpkin oil? Especially dosing? Thank you!

[Native]

37. No problem 👍

[StarryNite]

55. Very interesting.

I just did a quick search and came up with this article. It gives the benefits and possible side effects along with dosage.

[link:https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/pumpkin-seed-oil.html|

[Native]

67. It really is amazing how well it works and all it does. As for hair loss, 1/2 teaspoon a day

is all you need (though I believe the study was only 1/4 teaspoon). My husband took 1/2 tsp. daily and after about 3 months his patch of thinning hair filled in quite nicely.

The high end of the dosing (2 teaspoons a day) is the amount used in the nocturia/overactive bladder study. This study showed that 12 weeks of treatment worked as well as prescribed medication.

And the study re menopausal women involved 2 grams a day (just under 1/2 teaspoon) showed improvements in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, joint pain, hot flashes & headaches.

It is sensitive to heat and light which is why I like Flora's product - dark glass bottle. Amazon doesn't ship it with a cold pack like Vitacost does, so the taste isn't quite as good, but with overnight delivery and if it's delivered in one of their trucks (with A/C), it's probably just as potent, but who knows. I spoke with the company (Flora), and they said that it should be fine to ship it short distances without cold packs/insulation, but I was never able to confirm if Amazon stores it in refrigerated cases in their warehouses. I would think they do, but who the heck knows.

[StarryNite]

69. Great to know!

I wonder how the gel caps compare?

[IbogaProject]

45. Sunlight on the eyes...

Get sunlight on your eyes, not through eye or sunglasses. Directly or through you closed eyelids. 20-30 minutes three or more days a week. Avoid 1030-330. Or at least 11-3, due to sunburn risk. That up regulates an enzyme that the body uses to make serotonin. I also suggest changing you focus from nearby to far away and back to help excessive the eyes. Studies have shown both can reduce nearsightedness.
It doesn't work overnight, the process is long term and your eyes can feel sore if it has been awhile getting sun on your eyes.
And yes a newscast, especially from TV news is a good idea.

[leftyladyfrommo]

60. I just had cataract surgery. That is one really good

thing. My eyesight is really improving. Every day is better and clearer and brighter. I was missing a lot and didn't know it.

[tclambert]

46. Lazarus Long said, "Mary, if there is any one thing I have learned in the past couple of centuries,

it's this: These things pass. Wars and depressions and Prophets and Covenants--they pass. The trick is to stay alive through them."

George Carlin put it this way: "When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

You can't take the long view about your dog being ill. That is immediately important. My dog passed away almost 20 years ago, but I think of him every time I eat pizza (I used to toss bits to him, and they never hit the ground).

All the other stuff, especially political stuff, when it gets too depressing, I try to remind myself that hardly anyone talks about Napoleon anymore. You know, there was a time when he was a BIG DEAL, The newscasters and pundits used to talk about Napoleon every single day. Now people just remember him as a punchline.

[leftyladyfrommo]

53. I'm a Zen person. Attachment leads to suffering.

What I haven't figured out is how to stay unattached to a failing old dog. I can stay unattached to stuff. That's the easy part. Can't stay unattached to my dog.

The Dalai Lama says fix what can be fixed. If it cannot be fixed then worry won't help.

I just wish it were that easy.

[tclambert]

72. The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza parlor . . .

and says, "Make me one with everything."

[leftyladyfrommo]

73. Someone told him that joke but he didn't understand.

I don't think he knew what pizza meant.

[Ms. Toad]

48. I'm at the really angry stage.

The active anti-mask voices have largely quieted down - but I am having a really hard time coping with the "wink and look the other way" voices of people I used to respect.

We have universal masking in my university. But there are a group of people who believe themselves to be special - too valuable to be disciplined - who are consistently refusing to wear masks unless someone is standing over them watching. Over the weekend I was administering a test to my students and on my way from the testing room to my office I encountered two of these groups (each fewer than half masked). The first was largely cooperative. The second included a woman who just glared at me until I fully entered the room, pointed at her, and told her to get her mask on. She muttered it was downstairs, but at least ran down to get it. Then I had to run to my car, and encountered a third of these groups. After the second, I just laid into them. I've got a reputation of being calm, comforting, and always helpful, so I'm sure they are wondering what hit them.

This was set up last week by the faculty lead, who was wandering around (except when he saw me) without a mask, and implying that what he didn't see was up to the community volunteers who were helping out. And by the dean giving permission (under the guise of academic freedom) to allow an unmasked student to sit in class for up to 3 hours in order to avoid potentially embarassing a student who might (but does not - there are none) have an accommodation not to wear a mask. (That was at least corrected by folks higher up, who said that if a student refuses to mask up we are to call campus police to escort them out of the building)

I spent a large part of two days already assisting with contact tracing related to a student who was flaunting the mask policy - AND - then tested positive, who informed the contact tracers that the class was socially distanced (it was not) and that he was not within 6' of anyone else in the class for more than 15 minutes. Last I checked, several hours is not less than 15 minutes. My employee has already had to be tested twice, as a result of exposure at school.

Classes start tomorrow (all this is before the start of classes), and I'm already exhausted. Still enough energy to be angry, but once that leaves I'll likely move into depression.

[leftyladyfrommo]

63. I don't have the energy to be angry any more.

I am more just sad. So many people are hurting and dying and it could all have been avoided.

I have lived through a lot but this seems worse than other times because it never seems to end.

[yardwork]

50. I'm sorry.

[Moebym]

51. I understand that feeling

I too had to block news sites for a few days, although I did slip up a few times.

We must protect ourselves in times like this, both physically and emotionally.

[JCMach1]

52. Just imagine how much worse if DJT were still there

[Boomerproud]

58. I was thinking of posting that very thought yesterday.

Can't even imagine how catastrophic things would be if It was still in power.

[mahina]

54. Art and music, and finding a way to help others

I’m really sorry to hear about your dog. I went through it recently too with my old girl.

Without music and art how could we survive? Wishing your heart healing and comfort for your girl.

[SYFROYH]

59. shrooms help

[leftyladyfrommo]

61. If I could find some.

A friend had some homemade gummies. Wow! That was a fun 12 hours.

[Texaswitchy]

71. The situation can be depressing.

I am thankful for what I have.

I just go about my days and think about tomorrow.

The new dogs keep us busy.

Fall is coming, the hot summer will be over.

I can then go out ride my bike.

Just try to find some happy thoughts.

Do not go negative.

[roamer65]

74. Get vaccinated and be one of the meek who inherits the earth.

That’s what I have been saying lately to folks.

Hang in there.

[leftyladyfrommo]

75. And hopefully all the insufferable idiots will get

raptured and leave the rest of us alone.

[roamer65]

76. For the win!!

[634-5789]

77. Just lke any other bad siuation, one day at a time, and hang in there!

[CTyankee]

78. Join my club! I'm trying to pull myself out of misery. I share all your concerns in addition to my

own personal ones.

Common sense and common decency are both sorely lacking. We have such a good man in Joe Biden. He is thinking of us and working every day for a better country.

I try to think about how good Joe is and how lucky we are not to have Trump in the White House any more.