My boyfriend has been on anti-depressants for long before we started going out. He has had some major problems in the past, which caused him to develop depression. A few weeks ago he stopped taking them and has since been unable to feel any emotion, because his body is not used to producing the chemicals that the drugs have been producing for him. He's been coming across as disinterested in me, though he swears he still is. I believe him and am trying to support him, but I am feeling a little shut out. We haven't been together for very long, though I've known him for some time. How long should I expect this to last? Is there anything I can do at all to help him??
2007-02-15 07:27:56 · 16 answers · asked by cantik 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Wow. I am SHOCKED at the amount of DANGEROUSLY STUPID answers to this question.
Wherever you've read "this behavior will not change", "he's not interested", "he never made neurochemicals to begin with"... Forget it.
Neurochemicals, everyone makes them. If you didn't, you'd be dead. The balance constantly shifts, with or without meds. The THEORY is that depression is caused by a bad balance. There's STILL no proof for that and even some proof against it.
And regardless. EVERY antidepressant has a withdrawal stage. He WILL fall back into it and possibly even switch between extreme lows and plain apathy. The duration of this depends. Depending on how many meds he was on, the dosage, and whether or not it's too soon to quit and he's not entirely beaten the depression yet, are all factors.
However, the average timeframe for your own body to kick in and take over for the meds again in a balanced way is thought to be 2 weeks to 2 months. If by then no improvement shows, it was probably too soon for him to stop taking the meds.
THIS IS NORMAL. Stick by him and just show him you're there, it's all you can do and it means the world.
2007-02-15 09:02:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one should just flat out stop taking an anti depressant, he should have slowly tapered them off. That could be part of the reason why he is having issues. Though he really needs to go talk to a Medical Professional about the changes he has gone through from the stop.
2007-02-15 15:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by Shawna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is so good of you to stick by him. Coming off of meds is SO hard and just by being supportive of him, you are doing everything you can. I don't know what drugs he was on but I would estimate that it may take a month or so for him to feel "normal" again.
Did the doctor take him off of meds? Did he wean himself off or just stop the drugs abruptly? I know that stopping suddenly can have serious side effects for people.
I wish I had ore advice for you but you seem wll informed and a great girlfriend! I wish you all the best.
2007-02-15 15:32:52 · answer #3 · answered by maybe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the pills he was taking, there is a withdraw syndrome he should expect. You can't just get off these pills. I am on them and 1 day or two is fine but completely not taking them is not a great idea. Being supportive is very important, don't give up. Unless you really don't want to be with him.
Good Luck! Have him drink a tea.
2007-02-15 15:32:05 · answer #4 · answered by pink 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it amazes me how many times I hear of people who have been prescribed anti-depressants because they went through some hard times that brought on the depression....
hard times cause sadness... very hard times cause very big sadness.... alon with a whole bunch of other feelings...
sadness is not an illness.. it does nt need medication it needs love and healing..
Your boyfriend is right to give up the drugs that will never heal the sadnesses he feels and these drugs are very heavy duty and will take maybe months to get out of his system... in the meantime he needs to get some help from a qualified psychologist to help him through it all
2007-02-16 14:59:09 · answer #5 · answered by wollemi_pine_writer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, you can understand that it ISN'T you, it's him. First, if this is his decision, outside of the doctor's orders, I'd encourage him to begin taking his meds again. Folks who have mental illness often think that they don't need it, go off it, and that's when they get into trouble. In this case, encourage him to get back on.
If you are working with your Doctor, you should know that it may take time for his body to adjust to the lack of medication. Often Doctors will ween you off rather than going cold turkey. It's less of a shock to the system.
Hope that helps!
2007-02-15 15:35:49 · answer #6 · answered by VirtualElvis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a medical issue, there is nothing you can do to help him, if he had the problem before he met you, he will still have the problem now and if you leave him. The only thing you can do is be supportive. Do not let this relationship effect your mental state, if it starts to you will need to look out for number 1 and break up. Please be careful.
2007-02-15 15:31:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is really nothing that you can do. His problem is physical. If he says that he cares and is interested in you, then believe him. Its not his fault really that his body is acting weird because hes off the medication. Just be there for him, act normally towards him. With time, hell be back to his normal state.
2007-02-15 15:36:36 · answer #8 · answered by boricua_chick_21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One should never discontinue anti-depressants cold turkey. You need to slowly discontinue their use slowly over time. I encourage your bf in his quest to get off these drugs, but he must do it under a doctor's care. Tell him to go back on them and then begin to reduce them slowly, all the while contacting a Dr. to gauge his progress.
Take care, E
2007-02-15 15:33:30 · answer #9 · answered by Eric K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This behavior isn't going to change, either get used to it, get a new boyfriend, or insist he get back on the meds.
Clinical depression is caused by a lack of neurochemicals, and the meds replace what he never made to begin with.
2007-02-15 15:30:49 · answer #10 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋