Do I need more help?

[MomaP]

I have been suffering with depression and anxiety since I was 15, I am now 22 and have been officially diagnosed for two years. I was put on fluoxetine/prozac (20mg 1 capsule a day) for over 18 months. I stopped my fluoxetine about 10 weeks ago and I feel exactly how I did before starting fluoxetine, 2 years ago. I'm devastated. I feel anxious again, Im snapping at DH a lot again, I feel the black cloud over me again.

I feel I need to go back on my medication but im confused.
My DH has just come home from a 6 month tour in Afghanistan (5 months ago) and hes been very stressed since and wants to leave the army. The last couple of weeks we have continously argued. I'm not sure if I feel my depression is caused by the arguing or the arguing is being caused by the depression. I don't know what to do.

I guess I'm just hoping by coming here I can get a little support and advice. Anything anyone can offer really. Thank you.

bump

Hi MomaP - did you stop your meds at your doctors direction or just by yourself? If the latter then its normally recommended that you gradualy decrease over a few weeks. e.g. chaning from taking every day, to every other day and so on. If your mood is going down, then it would probably be a good idea to talk to your GP about starting up again.

It sounds like you're under a lot of stress anyway. I can't imagine how hard it must be when you have your DH away for long periods of time and then he comes back stressed and upset. That kind of pressure would upset anyone, regardless of whether they were or weren't on ADs.

Can you talk to him about why he wants to leave or what he could do instead if he does leave without arguing? Its a convo that you really need to have.

Hi babyheave We have spoke, its all we do really. We both know where each other stands. There's no way he will stay in the army, its too much for him and we've been juggling other job possibilities (within the army) for about a year now. Enoughs enough, its time for him to start looking elsewhere, which the army kindly help him do.

As for coming off the ADs gradually, the DRs advised I come straight off them immediately because they needed to see how I'd cope without them. She told me mood swings may occur for upto 4 - 6 weeks, then I'll be fine. Its now 10 weeks later, and its only the past few weeks I've started feeling like the black cloud is looming agaon. That's why I'm not sure if its my depression or my circumstances.

Thanks for your kind input.

Its a tricky one isn't it? I'm really surprised at the advice you were given though. Stopping any meds suddently, especially when you've been on them for so long instead of cutting down gradually can cause all sorts of problems.

What do you think you will do? Give it another couple of weeks to see if it will settle down, or start back on them?

DH wants me to start them again straight away. He thinks the main reason for the recent arguing is due to no medication. I'm not so sure, mainly because when its just myself and DS in the house all day, I am fine. I am really confused.