side effects of anti psychotics....

[simpson]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can help....

My Ex H is on anti psychotics and has been for nearly 2yrs (don't know which ones though)due to having a serious breakdown.

We are separated and have been for nearly a year now and he lives in Ireland. (I don't)

We have 2 DCS (4 & 2) He came over yesterday to visit DCs for 3 days (first time in 4mths) and has pretty much ignored them, its like he cannot empathise with them iyswim.

He struggles with communication with people and comes across as very thoughtless ie DS (4) was desparate to show off his reading to him this eve and H sat there but said nothing, would not make eye contact with him (its like he does not know what to say iyswim)

My mother had words with him yesterday as she felt he was ignoring/upsetting DS and nothing has changed today.

He cannot cope with simple tasks like bathing Dcs or putting Dcs to bed. He seems to get in a fluster and panic iyswim

I guess what I am asking is do anti psychotics dampen down everything greatly or is he being a selfish twunt???

Sorry have not explained it very well, very hard to explain it properly

anyone???

Hi simpson

I've been on anti-psychotics (olanzapine)... I don't know much about the others but I understand they are all pretty heavy-duty tranquillisers (although this effect tends to wear off over time - and your ex has been on them 2yrs now)

It could be that these drugs are contributing to a sense of apathy and non-engagement in your ex-H, however, I doubt they are to blame for his entire behaviour. I never lost ability to "empathise" when I was on them myself TBH.

Sorry you are having to go through this. Must be awful for you and very upsetting for the DC.

Sounds like he could be depressed? Anti-psychotics are not anti-depressants...

Does your ex have schizophrenia? That sort of blunted, flattened affect sounds like a symptom of illness (such as negative symptoms of schizophrenia) as much as a possible side effect. Or just plain old depression of course.

Some anti-psychotics are more sedating than others, have been on lots and some pushed my mood so far down they made me depressed. It might help you to find out which medications he is taking and why, as 'nervous breakdown' could be pretty much anything.

I've been on antipsychotics for a short while for severe depression (along with antidepressants). They made me really dozy but it was the depression that was causing the lack of empathy and getting in a fluster.

If he's been on them 2 years then I suspect he has a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia. However, this doesn't mean that he can't be depressed as well, in fact its quite common.

thanks for your replies

He has been on anti depressants too I think....

TBH I have just looked at the link for schizophrenia and is like a light bulb going on

He shows all the signs tbh but very early on after his breakdown or "acute psychotc episode" as doctors called it they ruled it out