re: Dealing with a older parent with depression/anxiety

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you can find something that is strand specific, I would recommend anything that is sativa. Also, I'm pretty sure you could do away with half of his medications once he gets the ganja. His BP will come down, anxiety will diminish... he may get diabetes from having the munchies though.

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My buddy brought back some edibles from Colorado. Those things worked wonders on my anxiety. Usually I have bad anxiety from weed.

Honestly, I'd look into getting him on CBD oil.

Hey nurse. You're in the field.

Have all his hormones checked. This includes his estradiol.

I had major endocrine problems related to medication for a chronic illness.

Suffered for years and they put me on testosterone. My hormones were all fricked. Still felt agitated and nervous. Especially after an injection.

Then I found out my eatradiol was like 4 times what it should have been. Once we got that down its unreal. No more worries. Relaxed. They kept trying to cram anxiety meds in me that I wouldn't take cause they are mostly crap.

Find a good endo. You'll save his life

get your mom a boob job,, men love big tits

He's not that many years ahead of me. Part of what you describe sounds like a bit of a personality disorder, part of what you describe sounds like PTSD, and part of it sounds like clinical depression along with an old tiger contemplating his demise. After middle age, males go to contemplating their demise (not in terms of suicide, but just in terms of the end is coming). Literature shows that meds and therapy are the most effective combination. However, some other things need to be ruled out first, an M.D. specializing in neuro-cognitive disorders is a reasonable step. If it is dementia related, some medications might be more helpful than others in managing it. It's not going to be cured. Another thing I do is regardless of my other specialists, I run all scripts through my family physician so one person is looking at everything I am taking. Some behavioral changes could include getting him to accomplish at least one thing (no matter how small) on a bad day, three things on a good day, and five on a great day. Over a period of time, behavioral changes can help in re-wiring the brain just a little. Also, spending a certain amount of time outside each day, and talking to at least one other human being outside of the household in person each day. I would have to know more about your father's history to offer much in-depth. Also, there are some types of dementia where docs just script anti-psychotics which actually make matters worse than better. You already know this, but get him a good physical, a good neurological work-up, a good psychological, and psychiatric. Given that you are a medical professional, you are in a good position to put the pieces of those exams together to get a more complete picture of what is going on.

One other little tidbit, on those days he just wants to stay in bed, try to at least get him to get out of the bed and sit on a couch. Keep everything well lit during the day, as depressives prefer darkness or dim lighting, which further fuels the downward spiral.

I don't have any experience in this situation myself, I'm just here to say that anyone who downvoted your post has issues of his own. Best of luck.

Dealing with the same.

Tried multiple approaches, for about 15 years now.

Have decided to focus on preserving autonomy and ability to live/function independently for parent. Even that is difficult. Other things secondary to that. Last thing I want to see is for parent to finish out time on earth being dependent and not in control. Depressed / apathetic etc is one thing. At least do it on one's own terms. Better than being in a facility or having to depend entirely on someone else and so forth. In a way, the depressed and apathetic state is comfortable for them. It seems that is better than to be uncomfortable, to feel inadequate to an even greater degree, etc.

I think for most people it's a self-loathing thing. Dont' want to add to that.