New here ...

Hello
I've been having increased difficulties with depression and anxiety in recent months, years really, but recent months have seen me retreat more and more from the noise and aggravation of places where people congregate.

Having lurked here for the past few weeks, reading posts and seeing how supportive everyone is to each other, something I have not had much of in the outside world, I finally found enough courage to join and participate. It's a bit of a strange feeling joining a forum for support for myself as I'm usually the one providing that support to others.

I'm finding just how hard it is to be a woman, over 60, with physical and mental health issues mostly caused by the actions of others in the long distant past, with no family or friends. I'm trying my hardest to live with the knowledge that this situation isn't going to go away, while searching for better management processes to handle the stress reactions that I just can't get on top of for long enough to build up any reserves. I'm constantly on overload.

I see my GP, have seen psychologists, some helpful, some not, and use a variety of management tools to get through the day.

I'm thinking this place might offer the type of support I need right now to help me get to a better place. Thank you for being here.