Husband is depressed... Help...

DrivingMissDaisy

Why would giving Calpol make you a rubbish mom ?

giddypenguin

Sorry, I guess I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself! She's so little I hate giving her medicine! But it seems she definitely needed it. Will give her another dose before bed so hopefully we can get a whole night!

Thank you all for talking things through with me - feels much better to get it out x

Mojisola

giddypenguin wrote: »

She's so little I hate giving her medicine! But it seems she definitely needed it. Will give her another dose before bed so hopefully we can get a whole night!

Given the choice of leaving a child in pain or giving her Calpol, there's only one option.

You're not giving her the medicine to make life easier for you but because it's the best thing for her.

gabriel1980

he could be having an affair - sometimes changes in mood are related to you and a potential new partner. Would explain his reluctance to see a GP

elsien

That's really not helpful.

euronorris

Reluctance to see a GP is a common symptom of depression. Particularly if the person has never suffered from it before. It can take an enormous amount of courage for someone to seek help when they see their problem as a 'weakness'.

Tigsteroonie

A friendly dentist told us that the Ibuprofen liquids are better for teething pains than the Paracetamol liquids, something about how they work. This is not advice I am giving, just passing on an opinion

Hope your hubbie gets the appointment. I found out yesterday that I could book a next-day appointment for our GP online, it seems like nobody uses the online service at our practice!

tiger_eyes

gabriel1980 wrote: »

he could be having an affair - sometimes changes in mood are related to you and a potential new partner. Would explain his reluctance to see a GP

Absolutely... if he's also secretive, protecting his phone and computer, spending excessive time messaging online, taking up new hobbies or friends that she's excluded from, losing interest in her romantically, clocking up unexplained receipts or charges, lying about where he's been, etc. None of which were mentioned. The story is completely consistent with depression.

thriftyemma

euronorris wrote: »

Reluctance to see a GP is a common symptom of depression. Particularly if the person has never suffered from it before. It can take an enormous amount of courage for someone to seek help when they see their problem as a 'weakness'.

This is so true, thank you for saying this. I saw myself as 'weak' for having PND for a third time. I imagine the OP's OH is feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and as you say 'weak'. Some great and mighty men have suffered from depression. It can affect anyone.

OH is taking a huge step. It's going to be scary for everyone involved, and yes, it is a long and hard road to recovery. But there is light at the end, getting help early on means a better chance of recovery. I know you're worried OP, please make sure you look after yourself too.

Mayflower10cat

My own dear husband has suffered from depression - he has had three 'bouts' in the last 12 years. The first GP he saw told him it's the most commonly diagnosed condition in males he's seen under the age of 40. When he admitted to a few close friends why he's been so unlike himself, two other friends said - yep, been there too. Then they all had a laugh about medication and the side effects.

There is no shame in going to see your GP, trust me, they will be very sympathetic.


My husband had antidepressants and also some counselling. I think it depends on the root cause of the depression. My husband had 'reactive depression' as in, 'something' happened that was so stressful and upsetting for him that he just couldn't cope. If the root cause can be established, then counselling can be very helpful.

And if he is prescribed antidepressants, the modern ones are very clever and subtle. They take a while to work but they basically rebalance the chemical levels in the brain, allowing you to cope better with the stressful/sad/difficult circumstances that have triggered the depression.


I wish you both very well.