I’ll try to keep it short. My husband was on anxiety meds for 2ish years. He developed panic attacks and minor depression due to life circumstances and now that it’s been a while, his doctor recommended he slowly lowers the dosage until he is fully off them. Well now he is fully off them and it’s been nearly 2 months.
He himself says that he feels much less patient and much more irritable than he used to be before. I agreed and we talked avout it taking time to readjust and just having to stay aware and try to learn patience on his own. We also talked about contacting the dr again if it doesn’t seem to get any better. He is the type to not seek out counceling very happily, so it’s not been on his mind as a possibility yet, but if things get worse he will consider it.
To me things already are worse. His irritability can be hard to live with. He can get bent out of shape over such dumb stuff. Example: we were watching a documentary and he asked me a question during it. I told him I didn’t know and that I just wanted to watch the show quietly. He found it annoying and wanted to talk about why I kept refusing to engage during the show. He’d already been super frustrated before hand because he was having difficulties with helping his dad set up wifi over the phone so it had already wound him up. This conversation between us went bad and he just got so upset and fustrated and had a short little tantrum. Here is my mistake: I made a face at him. Like a face of disbeleaf and anger I guess, which he felt like was a face of hate. I wasn’t really doing it super intentionally, more like lost in the moment. It made him just more angry. I was shocked and simply left him be and decided he can come apoligize when he feels ready.
So now I’m here asking for advice. How should I deal with this? Am I just supposed to give it more time and be patient? Thoughts?
TLDR: husband having a short fuse after going off meds
3 comments
It’s definitely time for counseling and possibly going back to a low dose of meds. Especially if he’s noticing it and not doing anything about it. I see a counselor for a few things, stress and anger management, depression, are in there as well. It’s been very helpful all around, been every week for a year now. Worth it though. You shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells in your own home.
Totally normal. Benzodiazepines can take a very long time to completely come off of. Years for some. Depending on how long one is on them. Be patient if at all possible. I wouldn’t wish what he is going through on my worst enemy.
I have been on medication for depression and anxiety for about six years and had to change them a few times because they stopped working/side effects etc and withdrawals can be extremely rough. They mess with your brain which is scary and frustrating so I do understand him. It is however no excuse for snapping at others.
Someone else suggested counseling and I definitely second that. Also maybe try to make his frustration a topic and speak about it openly, don’t try to erase it. Ask him what he’s feeling and why. Anger is mostly a defense mechanism. He isn’t angry at you, he most likely just doesn’t know how to handle his feelings right now.
But please remember that the most important thing is taking care of yourself! Seek help and don’t do this alone. I wish you all the best.