Anyone else's spouse think they shouldn't need meds?

So I started taking generic Paxil for my OCD two days ago and my husband is not supportive of it. It makes no sense to me because he has been saying I need therapy or can't I take something for that forever. He is very affected by my OCD because I am constantly asking him to wash his hands or if he's washed his hands or if that's clean or if that touched the floor and it drives him nuts. He's just all frustrated that I've been in a funk since the doc prescribed me pills on Monday (Hello, I actually admitted to myself that my OCD is a problem and I don't want it anymore!) and says that I shouldn't feel worse after going to the doctor; I tried to explain that this is how I've been feeling on the inside, just pushing it aside. He thinks I'm being selfish for wanting things to be in a way that makes me feel OK and that I should not need medication. He said he would never let his feelings take control of him and he would just decide not to let things bother him and he doesn't understand why I need a pill that will alter my brain chemistry to do that.

It's really upset me, I've been shocked that he hasn't said anything like congratulations for getting help or I'm so happy you decided to do something about this, but instead he's making me feel guilty and weak for needing help.

Has anybody else dealt with this? I need to feel OK about choosing to get help.

Good Morning,

I am sorry to read that you are going through a tough time.  First of all remember this is about you and not your husband so accepting that you need help and choosing to take medication is a personal choice.  Use your Dr. and perhaps therapist to talk out your OCD and look at therapy and treatment that will benefit you.

Try to avoid getting into heated discussions as it only causes you to feel alone and sad because your mind is tricking you into believing your husband doesn't care.  I believe he does but he does not understand mental health disorders and OCD is a mental health disorder.

 
We would never expect someone to "get over" diabetes by strength of will or consider it wrong for a person with arthritis to need ongoing physical therapy. Yet most people I know including my own husband do not understand anxiety or depression and feel that you can just shut down your stinkin thinkin and all will be well. 

Understanding your OCD disorder is a  challenging endeavor for your husband so perhaps by  education you can help him and and therefore help yourself.

The first thing that your husband  will need to  accept is that he  will never truly understand what you  go through on a day to day basis, but if he educates himself  on the disorder he  will be able to assist you  in coping, as well as himself. Remember you cannot control him so give him time to accept your dx in his own way.

Here is a link to an article that will help you and if you like it - print it and give it to your husband but remember he may just glace at it initially and throw it on the table - don't let this upset you as remember you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. 

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLid=54&Contentid=23035

I have had anxiety and depression for 30 years and I cannot tell you how many articles I have printed only to find them laying on the kitchen counter after my hubby glanced at them and made no comment but at least he glanced.

Be well and stick with us as we will help you through the tough times.

I'm cheering over here!!!!!

Some people are very anti-medication or simply opposed to new ideas/ways of doing things. Don't let him derail you from getting yourself help and getting on necessary medication. Most guys I know wouldn't go to the doctor unless a part of their body were physically falling (or fallen) off. Be strong!

I am brand new here. This is the first post I decided to read - primarily because I've experienced the same thing. My husband believes that medication is unnecessary, and that people should all be as physically healthy and mentally clear as he is. I went off Zoloft and Trazodone 2 years ago to appease him. Yes, I tried to convince myself and others that it my decision...and perhaps it WAS the reason I couldn't lose weight...but the reality is that I'm an emotional wreck right now and need to be on meds. I've been out of work for 4 months because my last job caused me such anxiety and depression that I simply stopped going to work. I have been trying to find a new job that is less stressful, but being out of work is causing tremendous anxiety as well. My happy-go-lucky husband is a self-employed handyman who hasn't been working much himself, and we are barely scraping by. He never seems down. I never seem up.