Posted by habbyshabit on August 30, 2003, at 3:02:44
In reply to Re: dealing with a delusional disordered husband, posted by kb on August 29, 2003, at 23:44:26
Thank you all for responding.
Let me give a very brief history - without going into too many of the details of the delusion and the associated behavior ( which has never become harmful to him or myself or anyone else - although I could argue that he is committing a sort of mental suicide within the delusion - but that's another post altogether )
At first I tried to educate him about Delusional Disorder as defined in the DSM3. I tried to say there were two ways to look at what was going on ( this was past the phase where he believed I was having an affair ), either there really were DEA type agents on his case or he was in the midst of this mental illness that medication could cure or at least help somewhat. I asked that if I went along with his theory and wrote letters and went to an attorney with him, etc, would he test my theory and ask his GP for some medication.
He did talk to the GP about it who described it to him as his nervous system misinterpreting signals. Gave him a scrip for Xyprexa and sent us on our way. Well I knew that this was one of the atypicals that caused the most side effects and within two weeks he complained of them, that he didn't really need them, that he was just taking them for me, and quit. I didn't notice any significant change in that time, but the Dr. started him off on a really small dose (5MG)
A few weeks later, I described what was going on to my Psychiatrist, with whom my husband has been atttending every meeting with me, to see if he would take my husband on as a client, even though his practice was closed to new patients. The Pdoc said sure and then turned to me and said, " you know how real delusions are"(i'm bipolar). As if to say, give the guy some grace and space to live in his own world. At least until such time he asks for help himself. This I have been doing and only occasionally express the wish that he would try another round of a different, more tolerable medication. Of course, it's really happening and medication is NOT the answer. So I drop it.It's a year now. I wonder if it will ever go into remission itself. I wonder if there are things I could say that might nudge it into remission. I lived with this man for over seven years with out a hint of this thing, though family says he has had short bouts with it before.
I feel I'm coping with it pretty well, but do feel isolated with it. He tells no one about it but me. At least he knows how nutty he sounds.
So... That's the Dr. history. Neither one seems to have any desire or feel any need to push meds on him. I mostly am following their lead. I just get very sick of the story line and some of the behavior it induces.
Thanks for listening,
Hab
poster:habbyshabit
thread:255324
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030814/msgs/255563.html