More than meds?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
More than meds?
3
Mon, 07-05-2004 - 9:25pm
My fiance suffers from depression. He started taking his medication about two and a half weeks ago. There was some improvement. He missed three days over the weekend though because his 'normal' schedule was thrown off. How much improvement do you see after 4 - 6 weeks? Should I be trying harder to get him to talk to a therapist? There has definitely been a dip in his mood the past several days - a hopelessness. He's also started drinking ocassionally which from what I'm reading isn't a good thing while depressed or taking antidepressant meds.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2004
Tue, 07-06-2004 - 6:56am

Welcome to the board! You voice many valid concerns.


Yes, drinking and most anti-depressants is not a good mix.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Tue, 07-06-2004 - 9:13am
Thanks for the info. Just a couple more questions . . . will this emotional roller coaster of ups and downs stop once the meds stabilize in his system? OR will they continue until he learns how to cope with what happens in his day to day life? I've been reading several books on depression that give coping strategies as well. I'm having trouble getting him to read them though. I don't know if he thinks the meds will be enough or what but a lot of the things he says and does are reflected in the book. I would think he'd want to understand those words and actions so he can control them before they get out of hand. One of the biggest concerns for him is the guilt he feels which is a big segment of the book. The books have certainly helped me understand what he's going through. How do I get him to understand that it might take more than medication to relieve his symptoms though?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2004
Tue, 07-06-2004 - 9:29am

I forgot to mention the website www.maledepression.com


It may help him, because it has a guy's perspective at heart.


I am afraid it may have to occur to him to get more than the meds.