DH had a mini breakdown this morning - advice needed

[Wobblingslightly]

Driving home from the school run this morning DH pulled over and burst into tears & doubled over with stomach cramps. Got him home but it took around an hour for him to stop crying, feeling dizzy etc. He's basically suffering from work-related stress - busy job, customer interface so gets all the complaints etc. and he's feeling swamped by it all. He hasn't been sleeping properly for a while, very short tempered etc. and has also been laid low with a virus. He spoke to his boss who was great and he took the day off.

He went to GP this afternoon and has been given sleeping tablets for three days to try and sort out his sleep pattern and was also prescribed Sertraline. Also being sent for a blood test to check for anything underlying & signed off work for two weeks. Sick note states: Depression due to work-related stress.

He's not sure about taking the Sertraline and I don't know whether this is a good idea or not either so anyone with first hand knowledge on that I'd appreciate some advice.

I'm thinking that two weeks off is perhaps not the best idea as it may be even harder to go back; but would appreciate any first-hand experiences from anyone around that too. Pros/cons etc.

Also, any other tips for supporting him?

Thanks

Just be there - patient, no judging, encouraging him to keep doing normal stuff - wash, shave, go for a walk etc. Make sure you take time to look after yourself too. You sound lovely.

Thanks Grockle. We've been talking everything through so being as positive as we can about the whole situation. Just not sure if the anti-depressant route is perhaps the right way to go or not.

It may or may not help but is unlikely to hurt. Whys he reluctant to take it? I can't take sertraline but other ADs have saved my bacon in the past. Hope he begins to feel better soon.

I think it's partly the possible side effects and also partly accepting the idea that this may be a long-term thing rather than just a 'hiccup' if you know what I mean.

Sertraline's got a pretty good track record and has less side effects thatn some other antidepressants.

Sounds like he (and you) are having a really hard time at the moment.

2w off doesn't sound like a bad plan..it's not over-long i.e.he will become too accustomed to being out of work..look at it as a convalescent holiday...in the 1930's you could have nipped down to Torquay to a splendid seafront hotel for bracing walks etc...time to rest and regroup is essential - you can't rush things.

Can I suggest two excellent (inexpensive) books - I had a black dog, and Living with a Black Dog..can't remember the author but amazon will have them...just fantastic, short cartoon style books with a solid track record of helping people with stress/ depression.

Also google e-couch, which is a great web-based resource for people with anxiety and depression, from a highly regarded Uni dept somewhere in Australia I think - lots of GPs recommend it so it's legit!

can you get him to see a counsellor maybe local MIND etc may have slot soon, so he can talk about the issues - if stress etc then CBT type stuff is good. here is some online CBT stuff GP should have advised on?

suggest he accepts two weeks as being doctors orders and uses the time to work on getting better and sorting out what are the stresses and what he can and cant control and possible solutions eg talk to work about resolving the work stress?

Thank you. He spoke to work this morning at length and they're being very supportive which is great. He's definitely taking the two weeks off and is looking more positive about taking the sertraline.

I'm not sure he'd go down the counselling route but he is talking it through with me and is planning to chat with a friend of his too which is good as he doesn't want most other people (including) family to know, at least at this stage. Baby steps.

He also knows I'm posting here and he's also posting on a forum he's normally on. Although we've both name-changed it does feel like we're sharing somehow