I’m after a bit of advice, and possibly would like to hear from those that have been in a similar situation. My husband was diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder a few years ago, his moods fluctuate and he seems to get depressed every couple of weeks now, he said he gets anxiety every day. He drinks to drown his sorrows, and has admitted that he has a drinking problem. Unfortunately his opinion of his drinking problem changes according to his mood at the time, sometimes he says he wants to stop drinking, other times he says he’s fine the way he is, he won’t seek help from AA and we can’t afford rehab. He doesn’t drink at night but drinks during the day, on lunch breaks and straight after work, and hides it. He sees psychologists and psychiatrists but his psychiatrist just hands over scripts for anti depressants, sleeping tablets, anxiety meds. He has been given advice to exercise and keep himself busy, but he won’t. I have bought him well-being journals, encouraged him to come with me for a walk at night, go for a swim, I never get anywhere, he pretty much always says no. Now he has lost his job, he was taking so much time off work that his employer terminated his employment which means he is now jobless, it also means we are struggling to make ends meat. I get home from work some nights and he is lying on the bed, and everything is a massive chore for him. We have 3 kids together and they are growing up thinking it’s normal behavior. I feel like I can’t go on anymore with him, it’s all too hard. I’m always made out to be the bad guy, the nagger, the whinger. I just don’t know what to do anymore... I’m really stuck... you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. Can anyone help?
Dealing with a husband with depression and anxiety (possibly bipolar)
Dealing with a husband with depression and anxiety (possibly bipolar)
Posted in:
Relationships & Marriage, Mental Health
6 Replies
Have you been to see his psychiatrist with him? My experience is that they won’t write prescriptions while someone is abusing alcohol. Psychiatric meds and alcohol are a terrifying combo and his psychiatrist needs to know he is drinking.
I’d be insisting on going to his next appointment. If he won’t let you go, then there’s your answer.
He won’t get better while he is abusing alcohol and there are free detox centres he could access and his psychologist can also help support him with the alcohol.
I have been with him to the psychiatrist but it was about 12 months ago. I told him about my husbands moods and how they are up and down and asked if he possibly has bipolar (as I had researched it and it seemed like him) but he shot me down straight away and said no! He doesn’t believe he has it. Since then his GP has said he believes it is bipolar but the psych says otherwise. I have suggested to my husband to get a second opinion but he won’t do anything about it.
While he is drinking they can’t diagnosis him with anything as any data they collect is unreliable.
Alcohol increases depression and anxiety and changes behaviour patterns.
Please for the love of god, believe the psychiatrist over the GP.
Bipolar is a hell of a lot more than general moodiness.
Has he ever been committed? Like psychotic? Like manic?
Leave the diagnosing to the experts, please!!
Your husband doesn't want to try and change. He doesn't want to better himself despite what his gp and psychiatrist says. You have tried and supported. I did suffer from anxiety and depression. I saw what it was doing to my family and my marriage and I got help. Your husband needs to do the same and sadly you can't do it for him.
I think you may need to really consider your children and your own mental health and how much longer his behaviour will impact on you and the kids.
In my experience, it's exhausting being the carer and there is only so much we can carry. Sometimes the best thing for everyone is to stop and look after yourself for a change. Good luck, I hope he pulls himself up and gets more help. If you do ever choose to leave, you will be ok. You are stronger than you think.
It’s on his back now unfortunately. My husband has suffered from depression and anxiety for 6 years now. He’s on anti depressants, and a high dose at that. They help but he has a number of coping strategies that he uses under the advice of his psychologist and psychiatrist. You’re doing all you can do by way of support but he does really have to help himself too or no amount of therapy or drugs on the planet will ever help him. Hubby gave up the grog too- it doesn’t help. Please do take care of yourself too, it’s hard being the carer watching it all falling apart 😥