Depression - Husband

[eve1974]

Wish me luck. Having chat with mental health nurse (at gp) re husband.

Husb constantly angry, drinking too much (seriously a LOT - badly *** every night. won’t be tactile at all and he has zero motivation (unlike him normally )

Now I’m no medical person but I know my husband! There is something wrong.

. He was like this 4 years back and they put him on citalopram.(which he’s still on)

He’s exactly like he was before and not only is it sad to see but it is very difficult to live with (for me I’m walking on eggshell).

Husb has given his permission for me to speak to nurse on his behalf I just hope they take me seriously….. I don’t know if they will.

I want to ask if they will change his citalopram to something else.


I’m very concerned about him.

Anyone have any ideas how to get nurse to take me seriously…. New practice so we don’t have a relationship with any of the staff

[jennyjoan]

Not an answer Eve but do think another Aber is going through the same as yourself, can't remember her name.

[ummmm]

They will take you seriously. Often the person on the outside looking in can see more than the person going through it.

[andy-hughes]

It's possible the health nurse will arrange a temporary increase in his medication to help him over this spike in his Depression.

It may be that the medication no longer suits him, and they may change it.

If so, it will take about three weeks for real change to occur, as his system adapts to the change in meds.

I wish you every success - there are several long-term Depression sufferers on here, including me, always available to offer experienced support for you.

[eve1974]

Ty all.

Yes Andy I think he may need a change in meds.

For me (having been on meds since my teens) I know that after a while mine seem to bottom out n I need a change.

It’s interesting that men’s depression (well I can only judge On my husband obv) shows in other ways.

For eg people who didn’t know him wld say he was just being a git but I know this is not the real / normal him.

Mr angry!

[andy-hughes]

eve - // It’s interesting that men’s depression (well I can only judge On my husband obv) shows in other ways. //

I'm afraid that irrational anger does seem to be a common trait in Depression for men.

My personal theory is, having arrived at a place where you hate yourself utterly, you start working quite hard to ensure that all your nearest and dearest come to hate you just as much.

It is just my personal view, but I believe it to be valid nonetheless.

[Patsy33]

So sorry to hear this, Eve. They will probably change his tablets and hopefully will talk out his feelings with a professional. Good luck with it all. x

[eve1974]

Patsy “if only” he wld talk out his feelings with a professional - he’s been offered that in the past but only attended one session - he is a closed book :(.

[eve1974]

I know meds definitely made a diff 4 years ago. I’m fairly sure he was on sertraline then and after about 2 years it was changed to citalopram. His med notes will show tho so hopefully nurse takes it seriously.

And .,,. Full marks to Husb for agreeing to let me phone them. I thought he’d say no but he didn’t hesitate (tho he said he won’t talk to them himself!)

[jno]

yes, the patient's refusal to admit there's anything wrong, and to let someone talk on his or her behalf, can often be a stumbling block.

With any luck they'll actually be extra careful because they're taking on a new patient.

[tiggerblue10]

I hope you and your husband get the help and support you both need.

My mum who was diagnosed with bipolar last year and put on anti-phsycosis(s) meds now needs anti-depressants.

[anneasquith]

Eve, discuss the issue with the mental health nurse. She is the expert. I hope your husband is better soon .

[eve1974]

Nurse gonna increase his sertraline - was 50mg now to be 100mg.

[Mamyalynne]

That's a good start Eve, perhaps if he starts to feel a little better he can consider reducing his alcohol consumption.

One step at a time, I wish you both well.

[bobbinwales]

Hope someone can get rid of that totalley unwelcome spam on this serious thread

[jourdain2]

You are so fortunate that the nurse is listening to you and that your husband accepts your concern. I have the deepest sympathy for you (done the egg-shell stuff myself, but he refused to seek extra help and it all turned pear-shaped). This is the first step, but he was willing to take it and that is so important. The right meds. make such a difference, then things can start to sort out. It won't be easy, but I think you'll get there. I wish you both well - and don't be disheartened when slips happen. :)

[Patsy33]

I hope he soon starts to feel better, Eve. It will take a couple if weeks I expect. Then go from there. Well done. x

[Smowball]

Eve, just curious - how old is your husband?? And I am sure they will listen to you xx

[eve1974]

He’s 55 smow x