A
male
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes: My wife has stopped taking her Fluoxetine (Prozac equivalent as an anti-depressant) and so she has become really angry and edgy again.As a result I'm finding it really difficult to sleep and concentrate on work. A little while ago I visited my parents for a couple of weeks because my mum wasn't well, and while I was there I slept like a baby. I came home, and I can't sleep again. So about a week ago I started sleeping on the sofa, and once again I slept like a baby. Problem solved you might think, but now my wife is really upset that I won't sleep with her. I don't want to have to start taking sleeping pills just so I can sleep in the same bed as my wife, but when she doesn't take her medication, I just feel really uncomfortable around her. She didn't notice any side-effects from the Fluoxetine, but she believes that she doesn't need it any more. She can't see how it's changed her behaviour, and she won't listen to me. So, what's to do?
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reader, anonymous, writes (4 September 2011): Depression is part of this. Stress in the marriage is another. Usually a 2 pronged approache (medication if needed for depression) and counselling (one and one and couples) might help get through this. It is never a good idea to stop medication without advice from the person who prescribed; it is never a good idea to take sleeping pilss - they are almost all highly addictive and lead to their own long term problems; it is never a good idea to have to sleep on the couch. Lots of bad ideas in this paragraph which suggests to me counselling... and stat!
A
female
reader, Abella +, writes (4 September 2011):
Stopping medication without discussing it with the Doctor is never a good idea.Your Wife needs to see her Doctor if she is in denial about the need for her medication to be well managed, by her Doctor. Please encourage your wife to see her Doctor even if you drive there with her. If her medical issues are such that she she needs anti-depressant medication then only her Doctor is qualified to assist her with whether she needs it or not. And based on your own comment "she has become really angry and edgy again" it would seem that she lacks insight into her own condition. If Depression required a person to wear a bandaid on their forehead then perhaps people would more readily accept that the person is ill, and in need of medical care, even if they look physically well. Depression is a very serious illness and needs proper professional care by a qualified Medical Doctor. If it needs you to drive her to the Doctor and hold her hand while she sees the Doctor then do it.
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