I am 62 and having mild depression all the years more accurately Dyspepsia since the age of 26. Taking antidepressants since 1979 presently taking cipralex 10 mg and Mirtaz 15 but not of much help unless I engage myself in some office job. What to do?

Dr. Saul PereiraPsychologist46yrs exp

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I am sure you may not have done this: work with a counselor too. S/he will guide you to work on several other related issues to help you walk through life and handle every day routines very effectively. It is not enough to rely only on medication. In fact, this is the only condition were you are required to literally do the opposite of what you feel like doing. Depression makes you want to withdraw, lie down, sleep, become lethargic, slow down, make you too lazy to even think etc. So when I suggested doing the opposite, you will need to fight this disease. You must become active; stay upright during the daylight time; meet people; never sleep during the day, and wake up by 6 am every day, play some active games, especially contact games, do physical exercises, talk to people and join some social clubs, eat more of proteins and vegetables, attend Yoga classes etc. Watch a lot of sitcoms on TV or comedies and cheer yourself up. Go for excursions in groups, for outings, camps, conferences, and religious conventions. Get a pet dog and spend time training it, exercising it and relating to it. Expose yourself to some sunlight every day, at least 30 minutes but not in the scotching heat. Whatever happens please incorporate these three important adaptations in your life: always be responsible, be respectful, and be functional. If you did these three things lots of things will go well in life. Please pray and have faith in God to alleviate your sufferings too. You need to do whatever is feasible for your age by consulting a doctor. Even so, the pace may be more suitable for your constitution. 

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