How can I convince my boyfriend to start taking his anti-depressants?
116703
I've been where your boyfriend is right now. Let him know that you care about him and be there when he needs you. He's got to WANT to get better and that is extremely difficult for someone suffering from depression. Even if the sufferer can manage to make him/herself care enough to take the meds, the meds have to be in the system for quite a while before they start having a noticable effect - they have to maintain the sense of self-preservation long enough to get there. Maybe you could establish a routine...stop by his place when it's time to take his meds - remind him gently... maybe leave your vitamins there so you can take your vitamins when he takes his meds. Therapy can help a lot, too. If he'll agree to go, take him if you can. I won't lie, this is going to be very hard, and I'm wishing you the best of luck. He's lucky to have someone who cares enough about him to put in the incredible effort it takes to help someone with depression.
655255
I'm a doctor.\nFirst of all it is NOT a stupid question.  Far from it.  As a matter of fact, its a hot & controversial topic in medicine right now.\nSecondly, ALL doctors should go over any new medication with his/her patient.\n\nAbout prozac - this and all the other meds of its class (SSRIs) have come under scrutiny in the last couple years.  Despite the large benefit that these meds can do, some claim there is a small yet signifigant risk.  According to some highly disputed research, there is a SLIGHTLY higher risk of suicide in patients, esp younger patients, in the period briefly after starting the medication.  Its poorly understood, but if its true it may related to the increased motivation and decreased impulse control BEFORE the antidepressant effects have kicked in yet.  Some psychiatrists believe that the evidence is not strong and has not been able to be reproduced because it isnt true.\n\nWait a second, isnt this supposed to be an ANTI-depressant??!!  Yes, and that's part of the problem.  These meds are being given to a population of patients that are allready at high risk for suicide to begin with.  You can see why this is so controversial...\n\nThat being said, it shouldnt be forgotten that these meds (the SSRIs) have helped MILLIONS of people not only with depression, but also with other problems like OCDC like yourself.  As a matter of fact, these meds are so good that they've totally changed the practice of psychiatry today.  \n\nHOWEVER, if you do experience problems with the medication (or ANY other new medication for that matter) tell your doctor or somebody that can help RIGHT AWAY.  In that situation, your doctor should talk to you, and likely an alternative medication can be tried.\n\n\nI know this is very confusing.  I'm SORRY!  but you are not alone.  It is a controversial and unresolved issue for doctors as well.  Don't blame your parents, because they may have easily been totally unaware too.  PLEASE dont be afraid to ask your doctor these questions - PLEASE.
755756
congrats on being sober..that is a really hard thing to pass. the only thing you can do for your bf is to tell him that you are there for him...support him with his decisions. don't let him say that he drinks because he is depressed...alcohol is a depressant, so it is going to make him feel different. help guide him through the week with a plan to stop drinking. becoming sober is not something that is easy...i'm sure you know that. so don't expect him to quit right on the spot. really just support him in what he does. a good gf will do that for her bf. she will help him when he needs it, but not interfere too much. this might pull him away. so don't go to crazy on the helping him stop drinking. he needs to learn how to stop himself. and he is the only one that can change him.
836103
I was takeing it before for depression and anxiety and i found it really did work (espeically for my anxiety). Don't throw them away like some people suggest, those are just the ignorant ones that thinks it's a sin to give your body a little medical help, when there is absolutely nothing wrong with medication. Sorry about that, but you need to listen to whatever your doc said. Other than not changing your dosage w/out your docs permission and taken your meds at a constant time (like right before dinner every day so you don't forget a dose) and not taking them on an empty stomach (unless told to by your doc) there ain't to much. Don't mess with the dosage, don't skip days if possible, and don't stop taking them because you start to feel better, some ppl stop when they feel better and then they just go downhill. Just listen to your doc, he/she is a professional and knows what's best for you.
1097032
Just... Try to encourage him in the right path.  It's a time like this when he needs you the most.  Keep telling him how great he is and how much you need him.  He needs you now more than ever.  Everyone says depression is a mental sickness and only a doctor can help, but I honestly don't even think that's true.  If you're really having problems with family and life, then how is it just a mental condition?  Just try to be there for him whenever he needs you, and don't be afraid to talk to him about why he's feeling like this.  I guess I agree with other people when they say that he needs to see a doctor, but don't try to force him right away, that might only make him feel worse.  I'm sorry, hope things go better for him in the future.
262238
Talk to some one that you trust.If this isn't possible go to a psycologist. Don't be surprised by him.  I would exercise all possibilities befor putting him on meds. You could do some research on stress reduction.  I hope this helps.  Love him and support him at this rough time.
297616
Sorry to say but this is a common problem with antidepressants. Talk with your doctor, there is no pill that can fix it though, and as for just wanting to do it, well wait awhile, it may not be necessary to be on these antidepressants forever. If you are unmarried you have nothing to worry about, if married make certain that your partner knows that this is a side effect and has nothing to do with him. Wish I could have been more help. These pills are good sometimes and other times can cause even more problems.. Stay with them awhile and talk with your doctor. Good Luck to you
344677
Get on anti-depressants, that will do the trick.
1079751
Well first of all, it takes awhile for the meds to kick in sometimes as long as 6-8 wks, I believe ppl want or think that they should be able to see results right away, and when they don't see the results they quit.  My sister has been on several times and only takes them for a bit and then quits - perhaps ppl are scared to be on antidepressants because there is a stigma that they will be labelled as "Crazy".  Which of course is sooooo untrue.  I myself have been on antidepressants for almost 4 year for anxiety and it really helps!!!  And I used to be one of those ppl that said, I will never take fake crap like that to make me feel better......well I guess I looked at the pro's and con's of them and decided that it would be of benefit to me - I am so glad I started, because the panic attacks that I was having were AWEFUL, and were getting worse each time!!!  So for all of you that are debating whether to take these or not - all you can do is try!!  What works for me may not work for you.  Keep in mind it takes awhile for the meds to kick in.
1156942
I totally agree with alcaholicdemon! Don't take drugs because he hates sex! Don't punish yourself for a problem he has!\n\nYou better talk to him and tell him this is important for you. Discuss how you can  solve the problem of the lack of sex in your life. Maybe he can seek professional help to find out why he hates sex. Or maybe you can make an appointment in which you have some more freedom. If you have a good communication and a lot of love for each other, you will find a way out of this.\n\nYou two have a problem. Drugs or antidepressants are not the solution here, they will not solve the problem but instead giving you only more problems.
701855
You tell him that you are aware of his addiction problem, and offer to get him help. You can only help somebody that wants to accept your help. Your relationship with him will always come in second to his addiction with his drug of choice. You need to move on and leave this realtionship in the past. You may always love this guy, but not all love relationships are meant to last a lifetime. This is not a good healthy relationship for you. Cry a little and then pick yourself up, gather your self-esteem and move on and find happiness elsewhere. Take care of you. I wish your boyfriend luck, he'll need it! He has a long road ahead of him, before he will ever be ready to share his life with someone else.
806267
Slowly....buy him something you want him to wear. Make a suggestion to him. You can convince without being obvious. Gingerly putting suggestions out there at the right time. It won't happen overnight, but eventually it is possible if you are patient!
944237
First up, if he's bipolar, then paxil is an odd drug for him to be on. Second, it's generally a dumb idea to mix psychiatric meds with booze. Thirdly, paxil is strange and picky. If you keep stopping abnd starting it, it becomes progressively less effective.
426051
Tell your husband that next time he goes to the doctor you'd like to go too. Tell him that you want to ask the doctor if an adjustment in his medications would help. If not, what does the doctor suggest you do. Good luck.
249252
If he won't continue to see doctors and take medicine on a regular basis there is nothing to be done.  If he loves you he will do everything possible to deal with this issue.  If he won't then you really have no choice but to leave him if you really want to have a life of your own.
527926
Dear Carer, Having dealt with this illness myself, I would firstly encourage you.It is no small 'task' to assist and care for someone with this condition. Yet in spite of it all, you haven't given up, for he is indeed the man you love.\n\nI don't know where you live, so I'm sending this from Australia,and an email address where you can receive a printout, or you can read,[if you have no printer]\n\nemail: mha@mentalhealth.asn.au   or look up their website: \n       www.mentalhealth.asn.au \n\nThe printout is in the form of 14 pages, and for you it will not be 'difficult' reading, as it is structured for the carer and the sufferer as well.\nShould he also suffer from Depression, which complicates the illness a little, you also can download the 'Depression' pages as well.\nBeing a man, and dealing with Dads in Distress,I am the first to say that with men it is a challenge, but do-able.\n\nEncourage him to go with you or a trusted friend to see a Dr.and be reassesed for his sake, [not just yours], because you love him.\n\nPerhaps find the reason he went off the meds, and begin there,\nfor it seemed to be working for him. But, he needs to find a Dr that will set up continued visits, say once each 3 weeks.\n\nAlso find in your area where you can best receive the assistance you need.Take care. sc
326603
Honestly just give him time. He needs to learn that he can trust you and the only way hes going to do that is by spending time with you. Eventually he will realize you're not trying to hurt him. Do fun things together like playing sports or going camping. Talking about it will always help. LEt him know that you're there to listen and will do anything he needs. but if this presist for more than a few months then id tell him to see a doctor because he prolly has a chemical inbalance.