Shakespeare and withdrawal...:(

[luc]

I was not really sure, if I should write about it all, but then I realised that many of you may have experienced something similar...I simply need to unburden a bit here, and ask you for some advice.

This will be a story about life's ironic ways... In a nutshell... I met my girlfriend just a couple of weeks after I had started withdrawal, first Xanax, then Paxil. It was 18 months ago. Quite early into our relationship I confided in to her my Xanax/Paxil thing... We both knew that it may still take some time before I heal. The relationship wasn't full and complete as we would wish it to be. The times were hard... BUT she was so brave... Despite some months in the last year when she became very depressed about my state, my suffering and the whole withdrawal, she was there.

I must admit that I hardly ever complained about the hell that inhabited my head, but she intuitively knew what I was going through. The very realisation of that fact must have been a pure torment for her. At some point I was worried that she would turn to SSRIs...Oh, irony! But fortunately she didn't. The problem is that the same situation seems to repeat itself right now in front of my eyes. And there is the irony of 10th magnitude...like in some Shakespearian work...it repeats itself at the very moment I'm closer than ever to healing. It's been a year now since my c/t. The window of relief has been for more than a week now, it has been the most intense and the longest window so far. I have no doubts whatsoever I will get my life back. I was clenching my fist and biting my lips to the point of pain throughout the whole nightmarish withdrawal (Xanax+Paxil, double c/t), I worked and I fought dreaming about the moment I could get to that point I tell myself "I'm HEALING". And then...getting almost to the threshold of our Better my girlfriend went into a depressive mode.
Though she realizes fully-well what SSRIs really are, I'm still afraid that she may...I hope not...

I have no doubt I'm healing, and I tell all of you about my getting better on a regular basis. I will cope with it all. Still, there's this very thing that worries me so much...Has anyone of you experienced something similar? What did you do? Thanks for all your advice. I greately appreciate it.
Hang in there, PP people!

[scotslass]

Would she be willing to go to therapy instead of taking a pill.You might also suggest she reads some posts on this forum(not sure if you have suggested this or not)If I was considering going on a AD and someone suggested I take a look here first,I dont think there is any way I would want to take that drug.I hope things work out for you Luc,best of luck!

[stan]

hello Luc

sorry bad english
We do not have a normal behavior even after 1 year off,
it takes 2 to 3 years after the testimony, is possible you don't realize,
I have abnormal social relations, currently being alone
it must be hard for your environment,
we must take into account

bye

[rain]

Is it possible for her to get into therapy? I'm sure at this point she knows that a pill is not the answer. Maybe she feels it's your turn to take care of her?? Encourage her to get into therapy... perhaps both of you together.

[albertsala]

Therapy works 10 times better then pills. Just try to open her eyes. You only get one life, tell her that. It a God given gift.

[Songbird]

See the book 'Healing without Freud or Prozac' by David Servan-Schreiber. It describes a number of non-med treatments for depression and anxiety. Some of these treatments should be worth a try before resorting to meds. The 'Freud' bit refers to traditional talk therapy. However, I would recommend Cognitive Behavioural therapy, and there are some good CBT self-help books.