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.

siobhan gave this response on 5/17/2000:

First of all, did his doctor say he could go off of it, because a doctor would have taken him off of it gradually not all at once, and he would be very closely monitored by his doctor and other health professionals, especially if he was on Zoloft for a long time period. You have to take his personality and behaviour change very seriously, which i know you are. I know someone that was on zoloft for about 2.5 years, and was good, then she went off it abruptl and went completely crazy- violent, shaking with rage, even throwing knives at her children. She is a very nice lady, not a monster, so it was out of character to act this way. So definitely speak to your doctor about his behaviour, he has to be monitored and speak with a professional before things get any worse. I've heard of other people going bizurk after stopping zoloft too. Good luck

Siobhan

gogirl723@... asked this follow-up question on 5/17/2000:

Thank you very much for you promt reply. He was seeing a doctor, but I'm not positive he discussed it with him. He took it for at least 5 years, but has gone off it, and back on twice before. Now that he's taking the St. Johns wart, it must make it more tolerable because this is the longest he's stayed off it. He's determined to stay off it, but with working nights as a policeman, and going to graduate school ALL day Saturday, and driving 2hrs back home again, only to have to go into work for another night shift, it's really putting the pressure on. Maybe he will notice he needs some kind of help again and try something else. But, in the meantime, I don't know what will happen. Thanks anyway. I'll keep an eye out for really violent behavior.

siobhan gave this response on 5/18/2000:

Your husband has a very busy life right now with school and work and driving to work, etc. That can be very stressful for a lot of people, and could have a lot to do with his depression. It's great that you're so supportive and taking an active role in his depression issues. Keep up the good work, and good luck. Maybe give him a great massage one night if you enjoy giving massages. He needs a stress reliever. Take care, siobhan

The average rating for this answer is 5.

gogirl723@... rated this answer a 5.

Thank you very much for you quick reply. He has seen his doctor so I'm presuming he knows he went off it. But, now that you mention it, I better ask. I'll start there. thank you