![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Theresa Rae on March 28, 2003, at 12:45:43
A few people had asked me to post an update to my husband's depression; a few months ago, I posted asking for assistance in knowing what to do to help him with his long-term depression (we're in our early 30's...he's been depressed since his teens.) At the time I wrote, he was taking Effexor...was supposed to be taking 225 mg. After I posted, I found out he was only taking two of his 75 mg. tablets. He switched to his full dose, then, and was nearly instantly A LOT BETTER.
He went in to (FINALLY!) see a psychiatrist, who, in addition to increasing his dose of Effexor to 300 mg (is this safe?) added a stimulant, which I can't remember the name of right this minute.
Husband is finally (after more than a dozen years of marriage) talking to me on a regular basis (oh my lord, what a difference that makes in my day), completing tasks at work, reading books to the children, smiling, losing weight....miracle of miracles!
Is this much Effexor safe? I know it's a fairly controversial drug (right?)
I'd encourage anyone in a relationship with someone who is depressed to keep pressing that person to get help. After finally realizing what the problem was maybe four years ago, it's taken me this long to get him to go in and get treated properly. Things in life are much better as a result. Hang in there, everyone!
Posted by Edgefield on March 28, 2003, at 15:35:49
In reply to Update - husband, depression, new medication, posted by Theresa Rae on March 28, 2003, at 12:45:43
Your husband is truly blessed to have such a caring, supportive, encouraging and resourceful wife :) I'm blessed with a very supportive husband. I'm impressed because you are not only being supportive, but you have also taken the initiative to research treatment options inorder to help him. I hope he realizes what a jewel he has :)
God Bless
Edgefield> A few people had asked me to post an update to my husband's depression; a few months ago, I posted asking for assistance in knowing what to do to help him with his long-term depression (we're in our early 30's...he's been depressed since his teens.) At the time I wrote, he was taking Effexor...was supposed to be taking 225 mg. After I posted, I found out he was only taking two of his 75 mg. tablets. He switched to his full dose, then, and was nearly instantly A LOT BETTER.
>
> He went in to (FINALLY!) see a psychiatrist, who, in addition to increasing his dose of Effexor to 300 mg (is this safe?) added a stimulant, which I can't remember the name of right this minute.
>
> Husband is finally (after more than a dozen years of marriage) talking to me on a regular basis (oh my lord, what a difference that makes in my day), completing tasks at work, reading books to the children, smiling, losing weight....miracle of miracles!
>
> Is this much Effexor safe? I know it's a fairly controversial drug (right?)
>
> I'd encourage anyone in a relationship with someone who is depressed to keep pressing that person to get help. After finally realizing what the problem was maybe four years ago, it's taken me this long to get him to go in and get treated properly. Things in life are much better as a result. Hang in there, everyone!
Posted by LA on March 29, 2003, at 16:01:19
In reply to Update - husband, depression, new medication, posted by Theresa Rae on March 28, 2003, at 12:45:43
> A few people had asked me to post an update to my husband's depression; a few months ago, I posted asking for assistance in knowing what to do to help him with his long-term depression (we're in our early 30's...he's been depressed since his teens.) At the time I wrote, he was taking Effexor...was supposed to be taking 225 mg. After I posted, I found out he was only taking two of his 75 mg. tablets. He switched to his full dose, then, and was nearly instantly A LOT BETTER.
>
> He went in to (FINALLY!) see a psychiatrist, who, in addition to increasing his dose of Effexor to 300 mg (is this safe?) added a stimulant, which I can't remember the name of right this minute.
>
> Husband is finally (after more than a dozen years of marriage) talking to me on a regular basis (oh my lord, what a difference that makes in my day), completing tasks at work, reading books to the children, smiling, losing weight....miracle of miracles!
>
> Is this much Effexor safe? I know it's a fairly controversial drug (right?)
>
> I'd encourage anyone in a relationship with someone who is depressed to keep pressing that person to get help. After finally realizing what the problem was maybe four years ago, it's taken me this long to get him to go in and get treated properly. Things in life are much better as a result. Hang in there, everyone!
Hi,
I was wondering if you had also suffered from depression youself ? The reason I ask is
I suffer from depression and have been seeking help, but I have just realized that my husband is also depressed. He does not understand the whole depression thing and is not supportive of me at all. He has a just snap out of it attitude and don't I make you happy type of view. Which makes him mad at the responses I give him.
I have tried to get him to go to a marriage counselor with me and he just cannot get past this caveman mentatility ( that is my term )that he doesn't want to talk about our problems with a stranger ( or really with anyone including me).He is a very smart guy and successful in business, which includes dealing with people all the time. People really like him. But at times I don't, though I do love him.
How did you get your husband to go and get help?By the way I was on 300mg of Effexor and have heard of several other people at the same dose, so I do not think it is that unusual.
Thanks
Posted by Theresa Rae on April 1, 2003, at 10:50:56
In reply to Re: Update - husband, depression, new medication » Theresa Rae, posted by LA on March 29, 2003, at 16:01:19
I do not suffer from depression myself, although last summer was really tough, and I think as a result of what was going on with my husband, I did slip into a temporary depression (it lasted maybe six weeks?) I slept a lot, was very serious, down, lethargic, hard to smile. Generally, I'm what you would call "happy-go-lucky," and an eternal optimist (thank goodness for that!)
I went in to see a psychologist for the first time a few years ago, and have been back to see him -- a few times a year, partly to retain my sanity, and partly to help me understand what to do with my husband. It was good to get the support and brainstorm, as well as just get things off my chest. (I went in due to problems with my libido -- which my doctor said was a no-brainer considering how bad my husband's depression was.)
One day, I finally just said, "I have decided that I am not able to make you happy. Might you consider going in to see someone about how you feel." He just said, "Sure." I made the appointment for him, and reminded him, so he didn't "forget" to go. He talked to his GP first, but has recently started seeing a psychiatrist, who I think is doing a much better job monitoring his status. But I had to press him to see the psychiatrist, too. "Don't you think you could be even just a little bit better?"
After I was done going through all of the stages of loved one of the depressed (including wondering if it was me, being clueless as to what was going on, anger, sadness, and finally the strong desire to leave), I really just handled it very matter-of-factly. I told him that I had a genuine interest in his well being, and that he did not seem like a happy person to me. I also said it was no big deal to take something for it. But remember, this took me years...you could consider going in to talk to someone yourself.
My husband saw a psychologist a few times and didn't care for it. Somehow medication seems more acceptible to him, and I will definitely take what I can get.
And now my son says things like, "Remember when I used to not like dad?"
Theresa Rae
>
> Hi,
> I was wondering if you had also suffered from depression youself ? The reason I ask is
> I suffer from depression and have been seeking help, but I have just realized that my husband is also depressed. He does not understand the whole depression thing and is not supportive of me at all. He has a just snap out of it attitude and don't I make you happy type of view. Which makes him mad at the responses I give him.
> I have tried to get him to go to a marriage counselor with me and he just cannot get past this caveman mentatility ( that is my term )that he doesn't want to talk about our problems with a stranger ( or really with anyone including me).He is a very smart guy and successful in business, which includes dealing with people all the time. People really like him. But at times I don't, though I do love him.
> How did you get your husband to go and get help?
>
> By the way I was on 300mg of Effexor and have heard of several other people at the same dose, so I do not think it is that unusual.
> Thanks
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.