Posted by Harlock on July 9, 2004, at 12:54:15
In reply to Need help!, posted by monkey-d on July 9, 2004, at 12:36:33
Wow, that is horrible news. I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you that stopping any medication cold turkey can and usually does have very negative effects. The result could be anything, odd behavior, headaches, dizzyness, and a plethora of other problems.
A friend at work has a father that we believe is bipolar. He was on meds, and took himself off because, well, he's in denial, and he thinks he doesn't need them. I've been there as well. Anyway, he would suddenly say things like "I'm leaving you", to his wife, and other very abrupt statements and actions. He would then do a 180 as he became less manic.
I've personally have very impaired judgement in my manic phases, and I only realize how impaired I am *after* my manic phase ends. This is too bad as the things I have done in my manic phases were very self destructive.
What he's going through might very well be temporary. The events you describe are very familiar to me, personally, and from other people I knew or heard about.
I would say, give it time, even though this is difficult to do. I'd also explain the situation to a therapist for further ideas of how to attack the situation. I have a stong suspicion that he will eventually "come around", and basically come back to reality. His pattern of behavior is text-book bipolar, at least in my opinion.
Let us/me know what happens.
> My husband and I have been happily married for 12 years...My husband is very outgoing - always the social guy with a huge circle of friends...2 years ago, he was diagnosed and medicated for anxiety and mild depression...he was first taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR and recently his dosage was bumped up to 75 mg...The past year, my husband and I struggled through an emotional time...his father battled a nasty lung cancer and subsequently died...and we both faced infertility problems...My husband and I are the best of friends - always capable of consoling one another and our communication is good...Three weeks ago, he suddenly stopped taking his medication...This was very apparent in his character and attitude...He now says he stopped taking his medication because it "masks" the real "him"...I MUST mention that his father was the world to him...mentor, friend, everything - so his dying was a huge loss for us both...On Monday - my husband left me...He claims he wants to "flush his life away and start all over"...says he was "never in love with me"...All of this I cannot understand or believe - it's as if it is all coming from an entirely different person...He has detached from his friends and family and emotionally zombie-like...I am not seeking marital help - I just want to understand what he's going through (he's not really communicating with me or anyone on any level other than trivial) and curious if this may be the result of his sudden non-use of Effexor XR...Any comments or experiences most welcome...
poster:Harlock
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040704/msgs/364420.html