How does one deal with a spouse who feels that taking an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication is unnecessary and equates with drug abuse?

It is not a christian or new-age philosophy. It is his stance that we all have ups and downs and have to deal with them, “suck it up” so as it were. After repeated arguments about this, and having him rifle through my medicine cabinet repeatedly and call me a “junkie” for taking 20 mg of anti-anxiety, I now hide my medication and lie to him.

I tried going off and “sucking it up” but, even when done slowly, I was miserable and feeling trapped and stressed out.

I do not WANT to have to be on this. It was not my choice. My doctor suggested this medication legitimately to deal with panic attacks and uncontrolled crying. He gave me a mild dose and he calls me every month to be sure everything is good.

I have no sexual dysfunction from these meds, nor am I “high” or odd while on it. It helps me get through my day at the office and at home with our kids and family life. In other words- I feel NORMAL again.

Does taking such medication really mean a person is weak or hooked on pills?
I know a lot of people who take them- are they over prescribed or a crutch of some sort and I am in denial?

Is there any way to reason with my husband aside of outright telling him- which I have tried with no success at all. I really hate to lie to him and really resent that he is acting like my father and treating me this way about this.

Again- I weaned myself off them three times to please him. But each time the panic attacks returned and I felt like a caged animal in my life so after two months of trying to get over it I went back on the medication.

Any advice?