.... to need some help?

[ThePlotSickens]

I'm 69, on the outskirts of W London, although have freedom pass, can travel.
Multiple health problems and I can't see a way forward - feels all downhill now, including being told by GP that I have small vessel disease, which means an increased risk of vascular dementia.
I'm lost, never thought this would happen, but here I am.
Is there any counselling service that might help?
I'm taking Sertraline for depression, but I am not so much depressed as in despair.
Have any of you have had help with this sort of thing?
I wonder if the dementia is happening and I am aware of it subliminally.
Can someone help me?

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. Have you asked at the GP surgery if they know of any support groups? Would the council know or is there a national agency for your disease that you could contact to ask if there is anything locally. Alternatively, if you are on Facebook there may be a support group/page on there? Sorry if none of this is helpful.

I would definitely talk to your GP about support groups/talking therapy. I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling in despair, there are people out there who can help x

I’m so sorry to hear about how you’re feeling, ThePlotSickens .

Please do make an appointment with your GP and see what they say about talking therapy and similar counselling options.

Why do you feel in despair, if you don’t mind me asking? Is it to do with your diagnosis or because of something else?

If my mental/emotional state were a dish, it would be scrambled hopes, chopped expectations, nestled on a bed of despair, garnished with a smile.
I didn't have a mid-life crisis, but I feel this is a sort of later-life crisis.
I knew that I would become old, but thought that it would be an active old age, playing tennis until I was 80 (I don't play tennis!).
Now I know that's it's likely that I will become frail and infirm - my up-beat, optimistic thinking has had no effect on reality (well, it doesn't).
I will speak to my GP.
At my darkest, I feel that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an NHS care home where I will be mistreated.
I'm working on getting rid of bad habits, to give myself a chance.
Thanks for listening. I have no-one irl I can talk to.
It's been 'releasing' to post here. Thank you.

I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling this way OP. I can understand your hopes for your later life not matching up to the current reality, but 69 really isn't old in today's society - take up tennis! Travel the world! Don't let go of your dreams, but do go and see your GP and see if they can refer you for some talking therapy and maybe a review of your medication to see if there's anything more suitable.

How are you feeling ThePlotSickens?