Does your DP take antidepressants?

[Nowhereelsetoturn]

I can’t talk to anyone irl about this as my dh doesn’t want anyone to know.

He is suffering from depression and currently at the doctors about it. He’s always had it (comes and goes in bouts) but has not been willing to get treatment. Things are bad at the moment though and he’s at the doctors right now which has shocked me. I would have given anything for him to have done this a few years ago but I’m really scared of what happens next.

I know he will not opt for counselling of any kind so I think he will be offered anti depressants. My question is has anyone on here got experience of their partner taking these? Was there a positive change? Did it change their personality? Once they go on them can they ever come off?

I’m so worried. I know I should just be happy he’s finally getting help but I know so many friends and family who are on pills for depression and I only ever hear of temporary improvement then things seem to get bad again and they end up upping dosages. I do understand that we can’t go on the way we are (he’s not violent to me or dc but he has been to himself) this is our only option but I want to hear from others that have been there.

Violent to himself?
He needs to be completely honest with the GP. He can’t be refusing treatment that can help. Whether that’s talking therapy or whatever.
I’m on Prozac and it’s been a lifesaver. I have also done CBT. I need to get out daily and exercise too.

Hi OP. My partner doesn't have depression but had absolutely crippling general anxiety disorder which did make him feel depressed. So not sure if relevant to your situation.

It's the best things he's ever done. He went on sertraline and the difference is dramatic. He's grown in confidence, he's more positive and has genuinely gone from strength to strength. He's doing things now (such as taking a two year practical qualification and moving into a new great job); he would never have had the confidence or self esteem to that before.

His mood is much better because of this and our relationship has improved immeasurably.

I think he will be honest but I’m worried he’ll just go in and the GP won’t really ask many questions they’ll just write him a quick prescription and that’s it...he really is bad at the moment he’s actually punched himself in the face on more than one occasion. He says he has horrible thoughts and they won’t go away.

He’s definitely ready for help he’s voluntarily gone in.

Hi showmethegin thank you for replying. He’s just come back and told me that’s what he’s been given. He was told in the grand scheme of things they’re quite mild as far as pills go. However as I suspected the doctor didn’t ask any questions just handed them over. It makes me feel uneasy - if he had something like a rash they wouldn’t just give a generic cream they’d be asking where is it, what colour is it, does it itch, is it sore, has it spread, how long have you had it etc.

Has he ever forgotten to take them and if so what was the impact? I’m worried if we went away for a week and he forgot them that would have repercussions. Also will he ever be off them or is this a long term solution?

My partner is on Fluoxetine (prozac) and he probably will be for the rest of his life. That's not a problem for me, in fact it's quite the opposite. If he doesn't take them for a few days it becomes noticeable quite quickly, he gets very low and doesnt function as well.
Its great your partner has gone to get help, and it's very important he sticks rigidly to the treatment plan, doesnt skip days etc. If there is no improvement, urge him to go back to the Dr's, to discuss options further (don't just stop taking them, he will need to wean off first) . He might need a different sort of antidepressant or different treatment altogether.
Don't panic OP, see this as a good thing. He is on the path to sort his mental health out, and that can only be positive.

@Nowhereelsetoturn

Hi showmethegin thank you for replying. He’s just come back and told me that’s what he’s been given. He was told in the grand scheme of things they’re quite mild as far as pills go. However as I suspected the doctor didn’t ask any questions just handed them over. It makes me feel uneasy - if he had something like a rash they wouldn’t just give a generic cream they’d be asking where is it, what colour is it, does it itch, is it sore, has it spread, how long have you had it etc.

Has he ever forgotten to take them and if so what was the impact? I’m worried if we went away for a week and he forgot them that would have repercussions. Also will he ever be off them or is this a long term solution?

Yes know what you mean, they should ask more questions I agree. Also worth noting that it may take a bit of tinkering with drug/dosage to find one that works for him.

If he missed 3 or so I could tell, he would be a bit crabby and short. After a few times of accidentally doing that he didn't do it again. I think it made him improve so much that he then gained some perspective over the situation he was in and understood they were helping him so was much more motivated to take them (if that makes sense).

He is coming off currently. He stopped taking them on Wednesdays and has recently stopped taking them at the weekend, all very slowly and controlled, seeing how he went. Personally I think there is a lot of stigma about people being on these drugs for a long time but some people are on other drugs for life and just is what it is. I'm not saying that will be the situation for your partner though. He is able to start coming off them as he has made so much progress with his life that I think he generally feels brighter and with better mood but everyone is different.

I don't think there is any need to worry about whether he will be on them for every right now, just see how he goes and take it day by day

*ever

I've been on Sertraline for almost a year and it has changed my life. I spent 10 years trying to be 'strong' by not accepting medication but I'm kicking myself for wasting all those years. If I have to take it forever then so be it. I can function again. If I was diabetic I'd be taking meds for life so I'm not seeing it as a bit issue now.

And you don't forget to take them. You set an alarm in your phone that goes off every day.

My DP was on sertraline for a while to see him through a difficult period.

It did have some side effects at first- the Dr had warned him he wouldn't feel better straight away- stuff like difficulty sleeping and feeling nauseous. He wanted to stop taking it at that point so I told him if he refused do what the Dr advised he needed to go and live somewhere else because his behaviour was affecting the kids (snappy, shouting, no interest in anyone or anything).

The side effects did disappear and the medication did definitely help him feel better. He reduced his dose then came off it after about 9 months.

Just a thought but intrusive thoughts can be an indication of OCD.