My wife won't take her Zoloft

[Anonymous]

We recently had a young child and my wife has been going through some issues and her Gyno recommended that she take Zoloft. She has refused to take it and I think that this is putting a toll on our marriage, because I don't think she can handle being a stay at home mother just yet. I have respected her decision not to take it but I feel as if she needs it for something else. Should I set up an appointment for therapy?

[Anonymous]

Huh? You respect her decision not to take the medicine but feels as though she needs it for something? What is that something?

[Anonymous]

Do you think she has something other than PPD?

[Anonymous]

You should listen to her and what she wants and what she thinks will improve her mental health. Otherwise you're just getting creepy and gaslight-y.

[Anonymous]

I would talk to her about your concerns and encourage her to get therapy. Medication is a serious matter and she has every right to not want to take it, but obviously she is having some kind of symptoms enough for her doctor to recommend it. I would support her decision and encourage her to get therapy. It works best when you takes meds AND do therapy but plenty of people are helped by therapy alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should listen to her and what she wants and what she thinks will improve her mental health. Otherwise you're just getting creepy and gaslight-y.

okay..I'm the first to be pro-woman on this forum but this is not fair. if she is legitimately depressed and not taking medication he has as right to be concerned and a right to want her to take her medication. there is no gas lighting going on here

[Anonymous]

OBGYN's and GP's should not be prescribing Zoloft. She needs therapy and if indicated THEN a prescription from a psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, a gynecologist <> psychiatrist.

Talk to her. Ask her what she wants. If she doesn't want psychiatric medication then she shouldn't be prescribed psychiatric medication unless she is truly a danger – not just an inconvenience.

[Anonymous]

Tell her take her ass back to work if she's oppo to laying around drugged up all day - she has options.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she needs help with the housework or something to lighten her load. There are alternatives to medication, such cognitive behavioral therapy.

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that gynos could prescribe Zoloft, but since they are M.D.s, I guess that makes sense.

Anyway, I think it is best if your wife sees a Dr. more in the area of mental health vs. sexual health. I agree that she should see a therapist.

I take Zoloft + can tell you from many years of personal experience that this drug has made my life so much more manageable and easier. I am confident it can do the same for your wife.

Hopefully she will give it a chance.

Good luck to you both.

[Anonymous]

Zoloft can be a rough drug to adjust to. My first week of taking it, I felt like I was going crazy and my depression and anxiety got much worse. Fortunately I was under the care of a psychiatrist who monitored me, adjusted the dose, etc. Your wife should not be starting this on her own!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, a gynecologist <> psychiatrist.

Talk to her. Ask her what she wants. If she doesn't want psychiatric medication then she shouldn't be prescribed psychiatric medication unless she is truly a danger – not just an inconvenience.

Oh come on, untreated mental illness is more than just an "inconvenience", and it affects the whole family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should listen to her and what she wants and what she thinks will improve her mental health. Otherwise you're just getting creepy and gaslight-y.

okay..I'm the first to be pro-woman on this forum but this is not fair. if she is legitimately depressed and not taking medication he has as right to be concerned and a right to want her to take her medication. there is no gas lighting going on here

This.

[Anonymous]

First of all: all you have to do these days to get prescribed this kind of medication is one profound statement of "I feel so sad lately.", "I feel so stressed lately.", "I feel so anxious lately."

Medication should always be the last resort. No proper doctor will prescribe medication BEFORE recommending therapy. None. Unless it's a dramatic crisis situation where your wife wants to kill herself of course, that's different. But a good doctor will try to help your wife without simply putting her on drugs. Consider that first.

Then: your wife's decision not to take medication is first of all a good thing. It means she still feels strong and secure enough to think she can manage in a different way. Therapy is the way to go. Also talk to her. Try to seriously help her and not just put her on something so everyone's life gets easier.