The tunnel of darkness

[kjensen]

Hi Lost,
Prozac is one of the antidepressants that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin...so maybe H's doctor felt H neeed a diferent a/d..usually the doses are started low and titrated upwards to avoid side effects. Stll, they all take about 3 weeks to build up to levels that will affect mood.

It sometimes takes a trial of several antidepressants to find the right fit. The fact that your H is still going to the doctor and actively trying to help is depression is a big plus. My H gave up on that(doesn't believe in drugs...married to a pharmacist..go figure).

There is something to be said about the placebo affect...if H believes these medications will help, they may be more likely to help...

There's new research looking at what really is underlying depression and it may not be just the neurotransmitter levels that we currently treat now..but the neuron pathways that need to be rebuilt..anyway..still lots to learn about depression in the medical community. I'm sure there will be new treatments down the road...

Living with a depressed person is really hard..hard to be supportive and be rebuffed, hard to not get sucked into the sadness vortex...hard to 'put on a happy face'...but keep at it. It does get better and the detachment comes with lots of practice...focus on what YOU have, on what makes YOU happy.

Its hard to feel like you are turning away from a loved one in pain. But you are not. You love your H, but you can't fix his depression. You can love him with healthy detachment and support his choices that are helping him feel better without feeling responsible. Because YOU are not responsible for where he is. He has his own journey right now.

Sometimes there's nothing else to do in order to survive and help your kids..You need to be the lighthouse and keep your light on. You're doing fine!