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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Reggie BoStar on August 17, 2006, at 0:26:43
I was a SW engineer for 25 yrs, burned out in 2003, wandered off the job a zombied wreck, haven't been back since. I can't seem to do anything even slightly complicated without quickly running out of steam and just going into a daze and walking away. I got SSDI benefits last year and Medicare a few months later, based on reports submitted by my pdoc, md, neurologist, and a few others. Diagnosis includes severe depression. They tried ECT but it didn't work. Many meds now, just to get me moving and out of the house once in a while.
I'm 55. I don't know what to do (or how) with the rest of my life, assuming it lasts much longer (doesn't feel as though it will, see my posts on the psych board). I seem to be too useless to do anything interesting for a living. In fact, I seem to be too useless to do much of anything besides type BBS messages. What the hell, is this the end of my life? Is this how it's going to end, too nuts to work, dying young? What was the point?
I see older folks bagging groceries for lack of anything better to do with themselves (or lack of ability??). They all look totally miserable.
I'm starting to see them everywhere. Fast-food drive-ups, landfill workers, Wal-Mart greeters. All miserable. Totally miserable. Why are there so many of us? Isn't there something better we could be doing, anywhere at all? Can it really be that bad trying to function without being miserable like that? Good grief, the old volunteers at the Salvation Army store seem even more zoned out than I am. Never will I be a Wal-Mart greeter, I'll shovel crap at the landfill first.
Reggie BoStar
Posted by Jost on August 19, 2006, at 18:30:00
In reply to Burned out, on disability, depressed, what now?, posted by Reggie BoStar on August 17, 2006, at 0:26:43
Have you have any hobbies, or interests: photography, carpentry, wood-working, metal-working, model-train building, watch-making, etc?
This is a great time to follow up on one of them. Lots of people start second careers-- whenever-- get some training, or learn at home, take classes.
There are lots of things. I'm sure, in your time, you've had a few things you wished you could do. Even if you start really small, it can develop.
Jost
Posted by octopusprime on August 20, 2006, at 11:24:52
In reply to Burned out, on disability, depressed, what now?, posted by Reggie BoStar on August 17, 2006, at 0:26:43
Sorry to hear of your troubles. I have no real advice for you. Some days, the only thing that cheers me up is my dog. If you are a pet person, maybe dog walking would work for you? A dog will be happy to see you and can't reflect any misery you feel. Alternately, you could maybe garden - the flowers can't talk back and be miserable either.
Posted by finelinebob on August 21, 2006, at 0:19:47
In reply to Burned out, on disability, depressed, what now?, posted by Reggie BoStar on August 17, 2006, at 0:26:43
Sounds like shovelling crap at a landfill is a good place to start then. Outdoor exercise, though taking deep breaths without one of those industrial strength filters is something I wouldn't recommend.
They might promote you to moving it all around it a bulldozer. That would be cool. Give you a chance to work out a lot of hostility. Or work some in, if you have a lack of any.
Personally, I'd go with Octopusprime's suggestion. My dog saved my life.
This is the end of the thread.
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