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Husband's Depression is Creeping Back

Many years ago my husband suffered from some form of depression.  He seemed to have gotten over it, and was doing well for a long time.  He has been having problems with his emotions again lately.  He has been to see a therapist, and she is helping him.  I keep inviting him to to things with my friends and he panics.
Today he calls me and asks me if I still love him even though he is not as happy as he used to be.  Instead I turned around the conversation and asked how long he thought it would be until we could get a house.  I love him so much and would do almost anything for him.  
How can I prove that I will never leave him?
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973741 tn?1342342773
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, and Celexa/Lexapro (pretty much same drug) are from the class of SSRI's which are also really good for depression/anxiety.  There are many in that class that have a history of being very effective.  The SNRI's are the duel receptor drugs that work very well too.  Just to clarify if you are talking to your husband's doctor.  
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973741 tn?1342342773
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi there.  I was going to ask about medication as well as the best way to overcome anxiety and depression is a combined approach of talk therapy and medication.  I would recommend that he stays away from Xanax and Ativan, however as they are controlled and can open up a whole new can of worms.  In todays mental health care environment, those are reserved only for situational issues rather than a clinical diagnosis of anxiety.  There are a couple classes of antidepressants that work well and some that hit to receptors such as drugs like Effexor.  This class works very well for anxiety mixed with depression.  This is OF COURSE something to discuss with his doctor to get the right match.  

The thing about depression is that if someone has had more than one bout of it, it is quite common to return.  For many, they have episodes throughout their life and must look for the signs of it in order to head it off at the pass.  Often it IS the spouse that tells them that it is returning and it is time to do something about it.  This is your role in a loving way to support him to treat his disorder.

Other than that, just be there for him.  Your constant presence will help ease his worry (which is part of the disorder).  It is hard when we love someone with depression/anxiety.  I do wish you luck.  Stay strong!
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Avatar universal
Is he taking any meds?  i.e. Xanax, Lexapro, Ativan, Celexa?  

Hs sounds like a good candidate for meds.  I have seen patients improve a great deal with meds.  

Hmmm, you are in a tough situation. Just keep reassuring him when he is going through these rough patches.  
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Avatar universal
Be supportive to him through this rough patch that he,s going through as i,m sure you have been doing.Depression is a hard condition to deal with and if he knowns your there for him he will know he has your support.Meds are excellent for depression,however he has to find the right meds that will help with the condition.Give him time and with the doctors assistants and the right medication along with your love and support he can turn this around and get back to normal.All the best.
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Avatar universal
Yes he has seen a doctor.
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Avatar universal
Clinical depression and anxiety can ruin your life.... its good that he's seeing a therapist.... but if he has a serotonin inbalance an antidepressant can make him feel normal again. Of course this could only be acertained by his doctor after his doctor doing a full diagnosis.....

You say when you ask him to see your friends he ''panicks''.... this does sound like genuine anxiety. His needing constant reassurance that you will not leave him could also be tied in.

Has he seen a doctor apart from the therapist?

Also, if you are saying to him ''how long until we buy a house'' I would have thought that was a clear indication to him that you weren't planning on leaving him?

Best wishes,
Perch
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