gogirl723@... asked this question on 5/17/2000:
My husband was diagnosed with clinical depression. He was given zoloft. It worked beautifuly. However, he doesn't think he needs it now and has been off it for about 2 months. He is taking St. Johns Wart instead. My children and I can see and feel the difference in his personality. He is a time bomb again and the least thing sets him off. He also acts depressed, and realizes he is at times but refuses to take zoloft again. He has blamed zoloft for a sexual problem (has erection but can not ejaculate) but off zoloft, he still has this problem, but says he has more feeling and is getting closer to being able to ejaculate. Is there anyway i can get hime back on this drug? He has tried others and they don't work, zoloft was perfect. Our daughter also takes zoloft(19), she had the same problem with depression. Off of zoloft he is selfish, mean, tempermental, short tempered, and generally not nice to be around. I'm getting close to wanting a divorce. Help if you can.
larrybergen gave this response on 5/17/2000:
If your husband chooses to go the nutritional route he should seek the advice of a qualified nutritionist, just as I'm sure he took a doctors advice by taking the zoloft. It isn't easy dealing with depression, the side effects of drugs and their consequent withdrawal symptoms. Find something about his approach that you agree with and then open up the communication lines. Your post here is a good step, but let's face it he'll need to see someone personally. Someone impartial who can help him nutritional. Please don't rely on the marketing campaigns for either side, neither zoloft nor St. Johns Wort are going to be effective for everybody, despite the claims of the commercials and advertisement. It is a money game plain and simple. In any event your husband needs support right now, and he needs to be cause over this problem. Give a little bit of agreement and give him a push towards a nutrionist. He's gone the medical route, he's obviously rejected.
Be well, Larry
gogirl723@... asked this follow-up question on 5/17/2000:
Larry, Thanks for your reply. Have you ever know the nutritional route to work for depression? Who would know about it. Certainly not his psychiatrist. He pushes the anti- depressent pills only.
larrybergen gave this response on 5/18/2000:
That is the M.O. of psyches. There are many things that work for depression I will include my program here. I was clinically depreessed throughout my youth and fell upon this program accidently when I was in my mid twenties. I haven't been depressed since, though mind you it involved a life style change(no drugs,no drinking,healthy living). There is also some research that has yeilded great results with blue green algae (cell tech, 1800-800-1300), for energy and mental clarity.
Here is the best remedy I know for ridding yourself of depression:
1. Clean up , get done the various jobs you've been "meaning to do". 2. Bring yourself up to date socially and write a letter, make a call, or see the people you've neglected. 3. Take a 1 hour walk everyday. Start at home for 1/2 an hour and then walk back,a different direction every day. If you can't walk do something physical, throw something for 1/2 an hour, if you can't throw,spit for 1/2 an hour- this is meant literally. 4. Get a physical examination ( not a psychological exam ) and fix those things that are chronic. 5. Take twice a day 100mg. of B1 and 250mg. of vitamin C. I would also recommend Calmax nightly ( from health Usa 1800-523-8899) 6.If specific to you give up pornography, soap operas and the news for at least 2 weeks as all these things can cause restimulation.
If you do these things you will feel much improved.
gogirl723@... asked this follow-up question on 5/19/2000:
larry,
thanks. I'm printing out your plan and will pass it along. Things right now are on an upswing. Turns out the biggest thing bothering him is the sexual thing. Can't blame him after putitng up with it for 8 years or so. I noticed he was starting to watch x-rated videos and that sort of thing trying to get a mental push in that area. But that sort of thing is a big turn off for me. And it didn't help him anyway. I'm sure he'll try vitamin thing at least.
He's really very busy now- Works nights as a cop. Is in school (2hr drive) all day saturday (working on second masters) and then after driving home naps an hour and goes back to night shift. Has trouble sleeping of course. Why is he doing this to himself? Is unhappy with his job and wants to move up to police chief or professor at the college level for criminal justice.
He really has alot of energy. It's just got to get turned into POSITIVE energy. When he started school he was aided by zoloft, now that he's off it school will be MUCH harder. Before he had a real joy for it. The joy's gone now. thanks Larry.
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