My Dh has had an ongoing problem for years with depression/grumpiness and out and out BAD TEMPER!!

My step dad is the same and a woman at my moms work told her about 'holy basil'....it's a supplement..\

My step dad was on Paxil but went off it due to bad side effects.......He was so grumpy and mean that my mom didn't know what to do...


She tried the Holy Basil and it worked after only about a week!!

I tried it on my Dh(who incidentally hates any and all drugs and refused to even go to a doctor and doesn't think he has a problem)-I told him it was for stress and overwork...

It took him about 2 weeks(guess he was worse off than my dad LOL)...he is so calm now!! He still hates his job, but he says it in a mild kind of way.

I definitely can tell the difference!!!

Holy Basil has been used in India for about 5000 years.....(it's called 'Tulsi' there)...it has no side effects....it is relatively inexpensive(we paid about $38CDN for a bottle of 50-Dh takes 2 a day-though you can take up to 6 a day).....we got it at a vitamin store.....

Dh even said to me yesterday "We need to buy more of that stuff-but lets buy 2 bottles this time."...for him that is wierd-he is usually against any strange thing I try to get him to take........

As soon as I am done breastfeeding I think I am going to start taking them too!!

fiona(whose husband is now mild-mannered! Thank God!

By Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 07:23 pm:

My Dh has some problems with depression but not so much grumpiness or bad temper. He is taking effexor ( or something like that) which doesn't seem to be helping at all. He decided to go to counselling and has had two appointments.

He did a search online and came across this company that sells relaxation type stuff. He got their free copy and it seemed to work so we went ahead and bought the series. He listens to his CD a few times a day (20 minutes each) and it seems to be doing the trick.

I, on the other hand, have more of an issue with grumpiness so maybe I should try this stuff you are referring to.

Going anon here since DH doesn't want friends to know about his depression and I have a few friends who visit this site. I hope that is ok.

By Mrsheidi on Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 08:38 pm:

So happy for you Fiona (and for your DH)! I found that a totally new job/career worked for my DH...we even moved out here to Maryland as a result. Most men think their value is in their work and if they don't feel appreciated or challenged, they can seriously get depressed.
It's happening to my dad and it was the same for my husband. He covered it quite well, but even I was getting frustrated at the way he was treated at his old job. He's much happier now that his boss respects him, trusts him with a huge amount of responsibility, and not to mention good pay with raises that are a direct result of his hard work. (Not just..."hhhmmm, you've been here a year so here's your raise.")
It makes me proud to hear him talk about things at work now...he gets SO excited! It's kind of cute

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 12:58 am:

Anon. One type of medication isn't for everyone. They have to switch around the medication to find the right mix. Make sure your DH understands that he needs to tell his DR he isn't not happy with the results he is getting. And he needs to make sure he is stating his symptoms clearly... If a medication isn't working DO not settle for it... There are a lot of differnt types of medication out there for depression. Or he might need a slight increase in the dose..

By Anonymous on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 01:09 am:

Thanks Bobbie. He did try Paxil too.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 11:14 pm:

People will take medication thinking, "well if the doctor gave it to me it is supposed to work". But the thing is, everyone's chemical make up is different so what works for one person will not work for another. And Psych/mood medication is a very tricky thing. My concern is, that he will just stop taking the medication all together. Often people stop taking their medication thinking they are hopeless and nothing will help. Or on the flip side, that they are all better. And like I said it could just need to be increased a bit. I have so been through this and possibly worse. And I can tell you that there are medications that will make a difference. But he has to ask for them and he has to talk about how he is feeling and acting. When it comes to emotional health the only one that can truly DR you is yourself. Because it isn't like a rash or a broken leg. The DR can't see in your head, he doesn't feel your thoughts. He/she has to get all his info from your DH and that is all he can go off. And my DH is the king of "I am fine." While you can look at him and tell he is spiraling out of control... I wish you the best..