DH about to start antidepressants - please educate me!

[millsbynight]

My DH has been suffering with anxiety and depression stemming from stress at work and financial pressure. All of this leads to him turning to alcohol.

He has been given regular doses of diazepam and has been recommended to start on antidepressants.

Will he be ok? What should I look out for if things are going wrong? Or right? Did it help you, and how did it change you?

I literally know nothing about them and just want to be clued up for my DH.

Bump

I'm on them and have been for years. As I have a long term mental health issue.

I really wouldn't worry too much. Usually for the first week on them you get a dry mouth or other mild side effects, but that settles down in a couple of weeks unless the type of pill just doesn't agree with you, then you can change it.

Its really important to take them everyday and hopefully at roughly the same time everyday. Don't suddenly stop taking them without going back to the doctors. And they are actually not that strong so won't have a massive impact straight away plus they can take a couple of months to build up in the system to work properly.

They do help, but not in a dramatic way, more of a takes the edge off, dont really notice you are on them (until you stop taking them) way.

I really wouldn't worry, remember to go back to the doctor if you have any issues, they can always try something else. Good luck for you both!!

Remember things can take a few weeks to settle in, so reassure him of that. Get a pill box (with the days of the week on) so he doesn't miss a dose. And try and get him to avoid alcohol, as most don't mix well with ADs. Good luck for you both, I hope he recovers quickly.

They have been life changing for my dh. He was unable to work due to severe depression. He started Prozac 40mg and has been able to return to work and is now - no exaggeration - the happiest, most laid back person I know! He says he would never come off them (been on them 2 years now). At first he did have the shakes and felt a bit sick but after 2 weeks that tapered off and he was fine.

Will he be ok? What should I look out for if things are going wrong? Or right? Did it help you, and how did it change you?

Is there something specific you are worried about with antidepressants compared to benzodiazepines?

One thing to look out for is an increase in suicidal thoughts in the early weeks - this can happen. See the Doctor if this happens.

My DH worries about the psychotropic medications I have taken changing me. However, many substances change people: alcohol, caffeine, nicotine. The mechanism of action of most ADs is not particularly well understood compared to alcohol, caffeine and nicotine but I would say that most ADs probably have a better safety profile tbh.

Is your DH still drinking? That would be more of a concern for me than anyone coming on or off antidepressant.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I guess I'm scared that they will adversely affect him in some way or he'll take them for a while then think he's ok and stop and we'll end up back in this mess.

He doesn't have a drink problem as far as I'm aware, he's not dependent on alcohol but he does drink/go out with the lads during periods of high stress.

We have a baby on the way and I just want him to be the best dad he can be. He's already a great role model for my DS/his DSS, but I think he's nervous about living up to being a great dad to his first biological child and I'm nervous too!

How long has the diazepam been prescribed for? It would be unusual for it to be more than one week as it is very addictive and not helpful to be on long term at all.
Which anti depressant has been prescribed? Did the GP suggest any talking therapies alongside the anti depressants?

I guess I'm scared that they will adversely affect him in some way or he'll take them for a while then think he's ok and stop and we'll end up back in this mess.

Either are possible. I have form for the latter, multiple times.

It sounds as if he is having a relatively typical response to a baby being incoming, as are you. When is the due date? There is psychological support available for couples who are about to become parents, but it can be hard to track down and somewhat patchy by country. Would you and your DH consider going jointly to work with a professional on how to handle the upcoming change to your family?

Patchy by area I mean, not by country.

My son has started taking Citalopram? antidepressant and is feeling a lot worse. He has been on them a few days and i am really concerned as his depression is a lot worse. He was warned this could happen but I am very anxious as the doctor has not talked to me about them and I am worried. He is an adult but living at home and is very isolated. Please can anyone who has taken this antidepressant reassure me or tell me what to expect?

Sorry, I thought i was adding a new thread, didn't mean to hijack!

I have taken citalopram at a very high dose and it really helped me. I took them at 60mg for two years after I had my dd for post natal depression. That was 14 years ago now and I weaned myself off them and have been okay since. When I was taking them initially I did have some side effects and felt quite rough but if he can persevere past the first two weeks then they should really start to help.

You need to give citalapram (sp)
at least 2/3 weeks and may feel worse at first but please persevere x

thank you, that is reassuring. He just looks terrible . Pacing around, looking like his soul has been sucked out of him

Hi again everyone. So DH has been prescribed Mirtazapine. Does anyone know anything about it? I've been trying to do some research and it just seems to be used primarily to treat depression.