Charles T. Meyer, M.D. wrote:
>
> Dear Rachel,
>
> > He has terrible anger - to the point where he has threatened to kill me
> > twice - once he even put his hands to my throat.
> >
> > His temper will flare and his rage will burst over matters that I am
> > unable to anticipate - example last night we had ice-cream cones but no
> > ice cream in the house -  However, yesterday he did say to me he is so
> > angry he feels vile and is ready to beat someone up.
>
> Sorry to hear about your husband's problems. First of all your safety is
> most important.  If you are really afraid that he is going to hurt you , you
> should take action to be sure you are safe.  You could call your local
> Community Mental Health Center emergency service. Or if you have someone who
> you could call e.g. an adult child a friend etc. who can stay with you- to
> be able to help him first you have to be safe. Also-  be sure that there are
> no weapons in the house.  And if you are being threatened involve the
> police.
>
> Is this a brand new behavior or is it an exaggeration of his usual
> personality?  Is he forgetful? I agree with Bob Fink's questioning as to
> whether this is a new behavior since starting the Antidepressant. It is
> possible that  the anger is related to mania which can be precipitated in
> susceptible individuals.  Has he a history of repeated  mood problems or
> other psychiatric in the past?.
>
> However, more likely it is the antidepressants that will help him not hurt
> him if he will take them.  What is prescribed and at what dose?  It can take
> 2-4 weeks for antidepressants taken as prescribed to work.
>
> > He refuses to take his anti-depressent as he feels less like a man on
> > them. He looks for reasons to be angry and tells me I irritate  him.
>
> Irritability is a common symptom of depression.
>
> > I
> > am looking for help and hope someone will speak to me on this.
>
> His statement about feeling less of a man might be related to the effects of
> depression or antidepressants on sexual performance/ This can usually be
> treated by changing antidepressants.
>
> For now.  Keep yourself safe. Notify his neurologist and be sure make him
> aware of how frightened you are.  Ask for a referral to a geriatric
> psychiatrist and/or one familiar with PD.  And keep us informed about how
> you and he are doing.
>
> Charlie
>
> --
> ******************************************************************************************
>
> Charles T. Meyer,  M.D.
> Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin
> [log in to unmask]
> ******************************************************************************************
Dear Charlie,

Thank you very much for your letter and concern.  To bring you up to
date, yesterday my husband went to the Dr. and the Dr. noticed he was
angry, in fact he mentioned you are very hostile. My husband agreed, and
the Dr. told him to take: 100MG of Sertaline once a day.

Today my husband (Peter)is going to see a mental health counselor (a
step before a psychiatrist) to go over his problems.  He has seen this
couselor before, and by his conversations, my interpretation of her is a
"people pleaser" as she relates instead of progressing.

This problem is not new.
Peter realizes he has a problem and is going the step beyond the
counselor to see the psychiatrist. He told me this has been on-going,
and has hurt him all his life. He blames his personality on his mother
(she had a terrible temper, used tatics to scare his sister and himself
when he was young by packing up and leaving the house for a few hours
and etc.)  He feels relationships consists of arguements and making up.
To me such an arragement destroys.

I mentioned I would like to meet the psychiatrist also, he said "I would
like you to stay out of it."  Needless to say I appreciate all the help
I have received from the members.

Additionllly, I appreciate all the wisdom - I am still digesting what
everyone has said:  "The fun house with mirrors but without fun."
and etc.

My safety is important and I have a call in to his Doctor - by the way
he is changing Dr's - this one upsets him. Addtionally, I am making it a
point to place my safety as a priority.

Thank you again, I am most grateful.
Rachel

P.S. As a side note - Today is a big day for me - This is the last day
of my last course in graduate work.  I embarked on a third career two
years ago and started on a Master's Degree in Education.  I will start
student teaching next week and hopefully get a job for the new term.