Aging guy depression...Anyone else go through this?

[Beandip478]

I am 58 and lately, my age has really been weighing on me, because it had struck me that I am a little too close to 60 for comfort. I know that nowadays, if you have good health and take care of your body, been in your 60s is not that much of a limitation, physically, but...
Well, first of all, being in your 60s leads to being in your 70s, and that thought fills me with dread, terror, and depression. But putting that aside for now, I think the depression I'm experiencing has more to do with the sense that at my age there are no more accomplishments to be made, no more goals to strive for--in the sense that none of it would matter since I'm approaching old age. When you're young, time doesn't seem to move, and you are excitedly motivated to achieve or experience this, that and the other. Well, at my age I pretty much already have, and I feel like there's just no point in trying to achieve anything because, as it has been said, it all ends in death.
Do these feelings sound familiar to anyone out there?

 

[thør]

No one gets out of this life alive. Fact!

I am in my 60's and I xc ski, ride my mtb bike, and rip about on the snowmachine.

I learn something new every day and there's plenty of new accomplishments. Indeed, time moves a bit quicker, but you just have to choose what's important.

If you think you're done, I suppose you are. Just stay outta my way, because I have cool stuff happening.

 

[NOBGE]

I am 58 and lately, my age has really been weighing on me, because it had struck me that I am a little too close to 60 for comfort. I know that nowadays, if you have good health and take care of your body, been in your 60s is not that much of a limitation, physically, but...
Well, first of all, being in your 60s leads to being in your 70s, and that thought fills me with dread, terror, and depression. But putting that aside for now, I think the depression I'm experiencing has more to do with the sense that at my age there are no more accomplishments to be made, no more goals to strive for--in the sense that none of it would matter since I'm approaching old age. When you're young, time doesn't seem to move, and you are excitedly motivated to achieve or experience this, that and the other. Well, at my age I pretty much already have, and I feel like there's just no point in trying to achieve anything because, as it has been said, it all ends in death.
Do these feelings sound familiar to anyone out there?

Nope. I’m 68, soon to 69 so I’m definitely pushing 70. I’m in decent physical shape, still get hard although I can’t ejaculate as frequent and it takes longer. I’m looking forward to the next dozen or so years!

 

[cureustoo]

In the last few months I have had some simliar thoughts. I am 62 and there have been things that weigh on my mind at times.

 

[Filipinawife]

My father in law is 67 he’s in great shape

 

[jaF0]

Age in itself isn't so much the issue. Life is. Life is terminal and every day, every hour could be your last. People in their teens and twenties have debilitating injuries and illneses and are far less capable than people in their seventies and eighties.

I'd say a significant number of posters here are past their half-life, some well past.

Past fifty, it is unlikely your days will get any better. Even the healthiest and most fit will feel less capable every day. Things just don't work as well as they used to.

 

[gran_pron]

I am the same age as you are and am sorry to hear it is hitting you this way. The only thing I can relate to is that time does indeed seem to pass faster than it used to.

But in general growing older with whatever may come with it is not on my mind a lot, perhaps I am lucky that way.
If there is one thing where in my mind it makes no sense at all to worry about it it is growing older, being one of the inevitable things for us all.

In my mind achievements can and will always be made at any age. They will probably change with you as you do. Think about it, what seemed like a big achievement to you forty years ago you may now consider as a mundane one. And the one that you took for granted all those years ago may become your biggest achievement again in a couple of years.

Death will be there for all of us, perhaps it is lurking around the corner already who knows. A close (younger) family member had a close brush with it just the other week. Be content with the road you still are on and try to listen to that blackbird sing or let you mind be baffled how on earth it is possible that a juicy orange can taste so good.
Put shortly, live! and yes I know that is the hardest thing to do ever.

 

[Beandip478]

Sage words from all of you, thanks. I realize now that I'd forgotten a lesson from Zen Buddhism, which has influenced me greatly through most of my life, and that is to "be here now." It's a mental discipline in which, whenever your mind starts to wander in a direction that isn't helpful, like thinking that nothing I do has any point because it all ends in death, you short circuit that thought, and bring your attention back to this moment, this place. By not allowing yourself to think beyond now, beyond today, something you accomplish today will feel meaningful to you.

 

[jaF0]

Sounds like bunk.

 

[Beandip478]

Sounds like bunk.

Excuse me? Listen, everyone's free to believe what they want to believe, but I don't go around denigrating or mocking other people's beliefs, insights or views. It's called politeness.

 

[thør]

Not always a requirement of the General Board.

 

[DrHappy]

Have you had your testosterone checked? Lower testosterone levels as we age can contribute to depression. Not every man has the same initial symptoms. It doesn’t always start out with libido or erection problems. It can start with depressed mood, lethargy, and weight gain.

 

[juttjaw]

Sage words from all of you, thanks. I realize now that I'd forgotten a lesson from Zen Buddhism, which has influenced me greatly through most of my life, and that is to "be here now." It's a mental discipline in which, whenever your mind starts to wander in a direction that isn't helpful, like thinking that nothing I do has any point because it all ends in death, you short circuit that thought, and bring your attention back to this moment, this place. By not allowing yourself to think beyond now, beyond today, something you accomplish today will feel meaningful to you.

That is very important. I'm turning 45 this month and have struggled through the "meaningless future" bug. Just remembering to focus on the day you are living is helpful in changing the overall outlook. Soon, you won't need to tell yourself to focus, it will become normal. My experience, as every experience, is a bit different. It isn't so much on age, but dealing with the one day at a time philosophy. We all have struggles we want to be rid of, remembering that, we are alive right now, is sometimes the hardest. Good luck.

 

[Plasmaball]

Have you had your testosterone checked? Lower testosterone levels as we age can contribute to depression. Not every man has the same initial symptoms. It doesn’t always start out with libido or erection problems. It can start with depressed mood, lethargy, and weight gain.

It's not that. The op feels the weight of time on his shoulders because he feels like I'd drawing to an end.
When you are young the world is never ending. Death seems like a life time away and you will never reach it. Eventually everyone does. You get older, your body slows down, the world keeps on going and moving. Young people pass you by. In your mind you feel younger, like you only just got started with things and now it's being taken away from you.

 

[Escierto]

It’s definitely easier when you are young to deny the reality of death - it usually only comes to those who get a bad break in life. As you get older you know the odds are not in your favor.

All the more reason to do the things that you always wanted to do. Break out of the straight jacket of old ideas and preconceived notions. Just do it lol

 

[DeluxAuto]

I am 58 and lately, my age has really been weighing on me, because it had struck me that I am a little too close to 60 for comfort. I know that nowadays, if you have good health and take care of your body, been in your 60s is not that much of a limitation, physically, but...
Well, first of all, being in your 60s leads to being in your 70s, and that thought fills me with dread, terror, and depression. But putting that aside for now, I think the depression I'm experiencing has more to do with the sense that at my age there are no more accomplishments to be made, no more goals to strive for--in the sense that none of it would matter since I'm approaching old age. When you're young, time doesn't seem to move, and you are excitedly motivated to achieve or experience this, that and the other. Well, at my age I pretty much already have, and I feel like there's just no point in trying to achieve anything because, as it has been said, it all ends in death.
Do these feelings sound familiar to anyone out there?

Talk to Reichguide. He is also struggling mightily with old-man depression. Most octogenarians feel as he does.

 

[Beholders_Eye]

I am 58 and lately, my age has really been weighing on me, because it had struck me that I am a little too close to 60 for comfort. I know that nowadays, if you have good health and take care of your body, been in your 60s is not that much of a limitation, physically, but...
Well, first of all, being in your 60s leads to being in your 70s, and that thought fills me with dread, terror, and depression. But putting that aside for now, I think the depression I'm experiencing has more to do with the sense that at my age there are no more accomplishments to be made, no more goals to strive for--in the sense that none of it would matter since I'm approaching old age. When you're young, time doesn't seem to move, and you are excitedly motivated to achieve or experience this, that and the other. Well, at my age I pretty much already have, and I feel like there's just no point in trying to achieve anything because, as it has been said, it all ends in death.
Do these feelings sound familiar to anyone out there?

YMMV, but I am quite a bit older than you, and what I usually think is: 'so far so good'! I often say to myself: "I am not worried about death, but I would like to discuss timing" .

Yes, I have slowed down, but there is a slow lane that goes the same direction as the fast lane, and I meander along it.

I am fortunate to have good health, good finances, and a good family. Good genes and God's Grace. I live in a 55+ community, live pretty much the way I want to. Still play golf (nine holes at a time). With the help of a vacuum pump can still be attracted to and stimulated by erotica. Life is pretty good for me.

Depression: yes, I know about it. Have been treated for it over the last forty years, still take anti-depressants, probably always will. But (so far) old age, per se, has not contributed to it.

I would probably not feel so rosy about things if my health were poor, but trying to make the best of what I have now.

I say that if that Zen works for you, keep letting it; we need all the help we can get.

 

[silver gurl]

Sounds like bunk.

No. It’s practicing mindfulness and staying in the moment. It really can help.

 

[CockSparrow]

Live every day as though it's your last - and hope like hell that it isn't.

At 63 I was given a month or so to live. So far I've managed to stretch that month into more than 13 years.

 

[xdresssissytoes]

Instead of giving in to "I'm too old" syndrome...think of all you could experience and enjoy if you flip that script...and grab life by the balls one day at a time...every day is an opportunity to do something

Live every day as though it's your last - and hope like hell that it isn't.

At 63 I was given a month or so to live. So far I've managed to stretch that month into more than 13 years.

Bravo!

 

[jaF0]

Like the song says ....

The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Every year is getting shorter

 

[jaF0]

I mean, you're a rabbit running around in the field chasing some bunny tail and all of a sudden some Eagle swoops down and snatches your ass.

 

[Zootonius]

I'm 68. I still jog, although it gets harder every year. One thing I learned the hard way, drug side effects. A prostate drug I was proscribed turned out to have side effects, ED and reduced libido. Got off it and my depression went with it. Now to see if my prostate acts up.

 

[jaF0]

I'm not fighting or delaying. If that exit door opens and anybody gets between me and it, they're probably going to get run over.

 

[ace195008]

Been there done that, it’s called prostate cancer, no fun. I had 44 radiation treatments , 2 yrs of Lupron, removes all you testosterone and if your lucky it comes, mine came back at 59 instead over over 300.