Depression medication....how to help my boyfriend?!
Question: My boyfriend of almost 3 years was diagnosed with depression before we began dating. Recently, he had to change health insurance carriers and his new one made him switch medications from Lexapro to a generic form of Zoloft...with the Lexapro, every once in a while he would have a day where he would still experience extreme sadness or happiness. However, with the generic Zoloft it seems like he's on an emotional plateau. He doesn't seem to care about anything, not like he's miseralble, but definitely not happy. I've talked to him about it and he doesn't seem to think that it's important to tell his doctor about his behavior changes. What can I do to help him and/or convince him that it's important for him to talk to the doctor again?
Answers: My boyfriend of almost 3 years was diagnosed with depression before we began dating. Recently, he had to change health insurance carriers and his new one made him switch medications from Lexapro to a generic form of Zoloft...with the Lexapro, every once in a while he would have a day where he would still experience extreme sadness or happiness. However, with the generic Zoloft it seems like he's on an emotional plateau. He doesn't seem to care about anything, not like he's miseralble, but definitely not happy. I've talked to him about it and he doesn't seem to think that it's important to tell his doctor about his behavior changes. What can I do to help him and/or convince him that it's important for him to talk to the doctor again?
I have experienced depression. The best thing you can do, My opinion is just be by his side. It may seem like he doesn't care, but he does. It just doesn't show. Zoloft can take time to adjust too. Remember mixing your body with different types of simulation can be weird for the body, even trying the same medication again is weird. Once he adjusts if he does he will come around. To be honest with you. Out of all the medications, and doctors I've seen. Love was the strongest. So don't look some much at the surface of chemical reactions. Just be patience with him. He is going though something, when he comes out of it. He knows you care. Just give him time. I know it hard seeing him this way, it's hard for him seeing you strung too. In my opinion he is pushing away so you don't strung anymore, but don't leave. Leave only if it gets violent. Besides that he just needs time. He needs you a lot more then the doctor. That's just my experience, take it how you may. There are some vitamin supplements that he can take with Zoloft that will help him feel better. You'll have to do some research. First start with what chemicals Zoloft uses up in the body, so he can replenish those vitamins or nutrients. I good rescue remedy at hand, for times when he is stressed out. There is a lot of phony remedy out there. So try to match the vitamin or nutrient if the food it comes from. Coming from the fresh food is the best. Use the supplement information of the nutrient for what it is used for, and just match it with the food. Diet is where he should have gone first. Your local GNC has the rescue remedy for sure. You can't go wrong with any types of fruits and vegetables, and nuts. A good tea whichever you like with some good conversation helps. Good luck. He is one lucky guy to have someone by his side that cares for him.
generics aren't that great in my opinion. i'm kind of confused though...he's still taking the lexapro but he's also taking another medication? if so, tell hiim to STOP taking that generic med. sometimes interactions like that can cause severe depression and other problems.
If you have urged him to talk with the doctor, and he has not, there isn't much more you can do... i wouldn't start nagging him about it, but you could ask him once every couple weeks how he is feeling.
Just because a doctor prescribes a certain medication doesn't mean it's right for us, or that it's going to work. sometimes meds have to be switched to find one which does help
Depression is so odd... it seems to come and go -- even for those of us who take medication regularly.
take care.
the generic medicine should not change anything!I'm on medication,and we save money by buying the generic one,instead of the brand name one.Maybe tell your boyfriend,to go for a check up,and the dosage of the medicine may have to be adjusted(increased)Tell him,that you are concerned,and feel sad+upset to see him unhappy.
Lexapro and Zoloft from my understanding are two different meds for two different problems. He will only seek help if HE sees the problem. You cant make him see something that he doesn't recognize.
Please everyone stop and think for a min.........many mental ailments , like a little bit of anxiety , worry, depression etc etc....all mild symptoms will disappear given a little time....some may need counseling and a few could even be administered with placebos....In my general practice I could get good results with these methods...But in western world doctors seem to be in a hurry to prescribe drugs which can in many cases change the fabric of a person's psychology itself.....prescribing drugs ,is it preferred in western countries or they comply with the patients request.
This angle has to be looked into in cases were for no reason some youngsters have killed others , especially in and around educational institutions.
@ Awaken: Mental disorders do NOT and will NOT go away over time. It's not that simple. I see three different psychotherapists and a doctor and I have to take lithium oratate everyday of my life because of my mental health problems. Yes counselling will help some people but others really needs medication to help them.
Your boyfriend may not think it's important to tell his doctor because of the insurance company. But if anything happens to your boyfriend who pays out, you or the insurance? Your boyfriend needs medication that works for him, not what works for the insurance company. Its very important that he talks to his doctor, the behavioural changes are most likely because of the change of meds, but they could be due to other things as well and he needs to make sure there aren't any other underlying problems.
If he was brave enough to see a doctor to be diagnosed with depression, I'm sure he's brave enough to tell his doctor that something isn't working. It's a big thing, I hate telling my doctor because it feels as if I've failed but he needs to know so they can change my dosage or help me work around my problems.
Just be supportive and don't start nagging, just encourage him and be gentle about the topic, it can be awkward to talk about when you don't understand yourself what's going on and why.
Homoeo treatment is best for this type of small bi-polar disorders.
But NEVER Stop the meds all of a sudden.you'll experience brain tremors and flashes for a month or so
Emotional blunting is considered a major part of the way these antidepressants can work. So what you are noting, as an observer, is not that uncommon. Neither is his response, because it is unlikely he will be aware of the change in his behavior, nor of any reason to see a doctor. This is why it is noted in the patient literature that family and friends are asked to monitor the patient's behavior.