Find something you like to do that can be done effortlessly and does not effect your breathing, I like old movies and presently I find lots of them on YouTube for free. So I will when in a depressive mood will watch a movie, several of us are of the older generation (65+) and their are hundreds of movies on line from our youth, I am curious about the old classical writings and will spend hours looking up poems and sonnets, they're is literally thousands upon thousands of articles on different subjects from soup to nuts, your never to old to learn, to me it's a joy and I can do all of these things from the comfort of a chair. I hate timers, because I have one setting next to my chair and it is set for one hour and when it goes off I get up and walk around my household and visit all the rooms on all the floors and look at all the pictures in every room this for me takes about a hour, my house is rather large and there is lots of memories in those places, both the rooms and in the pictures. All to often we will put a picture on the wall and forget that it's their except when we dust it off. I put them on the walls to remind me that there are better days in the past and will be in the future. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. Back in the days of film cameras, we had to take the film in to be developed and this friend of mine was doctor of psychology, he told me that "the human mind is a darkroom where negatives are developed"! and when we turn on the lights the Negatives will be ruined. That if we look out at the world the lights will be on and when we look inward at ourselves, we will be developing negatives. My demons go away when I follow his advice. He has long since passed, in one of my rooms is a picture of him many years ago and his words still give me comfort. Memories are to be cherished...

Hi All
I know how you all feel
Having had COPD for years now I find I reflect on what I could do previously and what I can do now thats like chalk and cheese I know age is somethingto do with it but I find the weather so depressing when you cant go out or do things you want to I prefer to keep myself to myself at these moments as I dont want to drag others down .I am normally a positive and jovial person but when it set in I try to find something to take my mind off things by doing something pleasurable We all have god days and bad days but this site is a god send as you know you will get support from other people who understand COPD Your not alone so think positive Look on the bright side we are still here if your reading this
Have a Great Day

Depression and anxiety are very common among people with COPD. The best thing you can do is get a referral to a good talk therapist who knows about chronic diseases and the depression and anxiety that often accompany them. A good cognitive behavioral therapist can help you work through the grief that goes with the condition and help you figure out ways to cope. A good therapist will have a solid relationship with a good psychiatrist who can prescribe and monitor medication as well. Medication and talk therapy will help you through the worst of it and help you figure out how you can deal with this and live well with it. Meds are helpful, but without the talk therapy, you're not going to learn how to manage and control your depression, just like you learn to manage and control your COPD. I know. I've been getting therapy for 20 years, once a month. It makes a huge difference.

BevbarkingmaBennett,

Good afternoon. I get bouts of depression also because I cannot do lots of things. However, I try to concentrate on things that I can do. I enjoy reading so I try to read more.
Also, even tho it takes me longer to do laundry, I am still able to do it. I practice walking up and down the hallway and even tho I have to rest inbetween-go one way then rest-some days I can do two or three trips without stopping.
When I go to the grocery and ride the scooter to shop, I make sure I smile my way thru the store! Someone is always able to help me.
Don't be afraid to ask for help-people are usually very kind.
Have a good day!
Gail

@A MyCOPDTeam Member for me I find if I can keep my mind active on positive thoughts I have less negative thoughts as we all have enough on our plates as it is. Having someone you can share with helps alot as well, I suppose we need to try alot of things to avoid depression and anxiety ! Good luck and God bless you !