Depression exhibited by anger

[catwoman555]

My husband is taking Paxil (40 mg) per day for his depression which exhibits itself by him being angry and irritated  by the least little thing.  He over-reacts on small situations and immediately gets angry and yells.  This, of course, causes a severe strain on our marriage, since I am usually the object of his anger.  Is Paxil the best depression medication for this condition?  He has tried just about everything else and only Paxil seems to work (somewhat) for him.  The problem for him, of course, is the sexual side effects of this drug.  He periodically goes of this medication (about every 3 months) for a week so he can actually have an ejaculation.  He goes back on it,  but it takes time for the medicine to kick in again.  I am at a loss as to what to do and can't keep coping with his rages.

I, too, have depression and panic disorder.  I am taking Klonopin and Tofranil for my condition.   These medications do well for me, but the extra stress caused by my husband's constant rages don't help.  When I suggest he see a psychiatrist or join an anger management grouip, he says he has gone to them and they have not helped him.  Any help from you on his and my problem would  be very helpful and appreciated.

Thank you,

[catwoman555]

Paxil is not making him angry -- it is the opposite.  He was worse until he started taking Paxil.  It was a psychiatrist who determined that his anger and rage were caused by depression.  He was given several antidepressants, but only Paxil had any effect on him.  My life before Paxil was hell.  However, he has  been taking Paxil for awhile now and either his  body had gotten used to the dosage or he needs something in addition to Paxil.  You said you were on 2 antidepressants and a mood stabilizer.  Perhaps he, too, needs something in addition to the Paxil.  However, I don't know how to get him to go to the current psychiatrist.  We are in an HMO and there is only this clinic that he can go to.  The psychiatrist there is not very good.  I wish we had the option of seeing the same psychiatrist that initially determined his anger and rage were depression relatedl.  If he sees him, the cost will be out of pocket, but maybe it will be worth it to get his depression under control.  Any suggestions on this subject would again be appreciated.  I don't want to leave this man, but things are very serious and I can't cope with the verbal abuse I get from his rages too much longer.  I am currently at my daughter's in the hope that a temporary separation will make him realize that a change in his anger/rage is necessary to make our lives more pleasant.  I'm no saint but truely there needs to be a change in our marriage.  I recognize that his behavior is depression related, but doing nothing about it is not the answer.  How do I approach him with the suggestion of seeing the original psychiatrist and pay the  out of pocket charge to get this condition to improve and make both our lives happier?