Supporting spouse going through SSRI withdrawal

[BJF9119]

Hello,

 

I have been looking for ways to support my spouse that has been suffering severely from ssri withdrawal for a few years now. It has been very challenging as our relationship dynamic has completely changed. I have become more of a caregiver and our relationship is not the same as it first was. There have been more challenging times than others over the course of the withdrawal period. We used to be able to socialize and go out on a regular basis but this has all changed where we really don't do that anymore.

 

Does anyone have any advice that may have or is going through this sort of thing? It's as if our lives have been ripped out from underneath our feet and it is a scary thing to see what the future holds. I have remained incredibly optimistic and hopeful that this will come to pass however it is now becoming rather taxing on my confidence and self esteem. I know self-help is very important and I am working on that to improve on my outlook. I have always looked forward to spending the rest of my life with my spouse and raising a happy family.

 

I appreciate everyone's feedback to offer!

[ChessieCat]

Hi and welcome to SA,

 

I'm assuming that your spouse has been off all psychiatric drugs for a few years.  If they have stopped a drug this year, then reinstatement of a small dose might be an option.

 

We have other members here who are experiencing the same thing.  I suggest you look through the topics in Relationships Forum to find topics that they have created.

 

It would be really good for your spouse to join SA, even if they are off drugs completely, so that they can be supported and encouraged by the SA community who understand what they are going through.

 

Something to keep in mind is that generally males tend to want to fix things, whereas females tend to need to talk about things.

 

Recovery isn't linear.  It happens in a windows and waves pattern:

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

You might find these topics helpful:

 

helping-family-understand

 

withdrawal-dialogues-encouragement

 

Also these topics:

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

We strongly encourage members who are tapering and going through withdrawal to learn and use non drug coping techniques:

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

We also encourage members to see a supportive counsellor to learn general life coping skills and for any issues for which they started the drugs in the first place.

 

This Facebook group is not affiliated with SA:

 

On 6/9/2018 at 6:46 AM, alchemist said:

 

If anyone here is interested: if your relationship or marriage has been affected by antidepressants feel free to join our private group on Facebook. We are a group of over 800 members going through the same situation. You can join us here: https://facebook.com/groups/mdbad

 

 

[Michigan]

I'm struggling with this on the other end. I'm still working and providing a nice life for my family. But I have to lean on my wife for support so much right now that I'm constantly worried that she'll see me as more of a dependent than a man that she's attracted to. We very rarely go out for dinner/dates because of my debilitating fatigue and other symptoms. And I can't handle any non-family socializing whatsoever. We still have sex 1-2 times a week, but I feel like this disgusting, weak, fat, invalid and I constantly worry that she's not attracted to me anymore and doesn't see me the same way. We've talked and she says this isn't the case, but I think she's just being nice. Anyone else struggle with this? Any advice? 

[ChessieCat]

@Michigan

 

There are other topics in the Relationships Forum which might be better suited to your relationship issue.  I know that other members have posted about similar problems to you and I suggest you check out to see what there already is here:  Relationships and social life