Hi, My partner has had breast cancer twice and has always had OCD too, it has reared its head quite badly again recently and she has been a month with hardly any sleep. People are suggesting Citalopram, but she hates the idea of taking antidepressants and I wonder if anyone can tell me if their mental health has ‘sorted itself out’ when the hormones have sorted themselves out again, as the problem the mental health has become bad again is because her hormones have been messed around with so much and for so long, on and off! on and off! so many hormone treatments, then a break… then more treatments. Her Oncologist has said come off everything for now and see if her mental health sorts its self out. She just feels so desperate. Not about cancer now! but about mental health. i wonder if this might just go back to normal if and when she starts a period again and her hormones go back to normal. TIA.
I’m afraid I can’t comment on the physical effect of hormones on your partners’ mental health, although I know that’s really what you’re asking about. But I wanted to share what we were told when my husband had a ‘breakdown’ and was offered Citalopram. He was advised that the Citalopram wouldn’t ‘cure’ the problems as such but would relieve symptoms to allow him to see the wood for the trees. This would allow him then to work on things to eventually get himself back on an even keel. He did have the Citalopram and this was exactly what happened - after a few weeks he could see the problems more rationally and could do some mindfulness, sessions with a psychiatric nurse etc. Maybe the hormonal changes, diagnosis and mental health challenges are too much together for her to cope with and she could benefit from a little support. Love to you both 
Hi I’m on centerline I had breastcancer last year tripple negative Im on them for anxiety as I always worried about cancer was always my worst fear they really help me I’d be a nervous wreck without them. There not always for depression but they help in other ways. They help with my anxiety as I’m so bad a googling things and thinking the worst off everything I have children and these really do help. My advice is for her to have sumthing to help because she will just get worse. Good luck
I take a very low dose of a different antidepressant (Amitryptilline) once daily at bedtime. It has been hugely helpful for anxiety, insomnia & night sweats. I’m assured it’s not addictive, and I’m so glad I decided to give it a try.
Best wishes to you both X
Hello @coffeecremes
I was offered meds for menopausal symptoms and chose to go the holistic route. I took advice from friends and found the Ladycare Magnet and have not looked back. Dark cloud of depression gone! Worth every penny
@Kanapka87. Yes I think that Citalopram is very good when there is a large element of anxiety rather than/in addition to depression - my husband had both but the anxiety caused such a buzz in his head he couldn’t see past it. For this reason the original posters’ partner may benefit from it
Thank you for asking after your partner.
I would suggest her or yourself to talk to a BCN nurse for some support, they may be able to offer mental health services
- Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small.
MacMillan offer a helpline 7 days a week 8am-8pm and you can get counselling as well which may be beneficial
Maggie’s charity also offer support and counselling
I hope this helps 
I take sertraline. My partner has vey bad ocd and is very difficult to live with at the moment as they are constantly saying the water is poisoned. So I do feel for you.
My partner is male so I will wait a long time for his periods to stop/start but he does have OCD and I’s catching.I went salsa dancing last night for 2 hours at the village hall - a free taster session.
It was great fun I can recommend it and exercise for improving mood. I fell over and banged my head on concrete and tarmac this morning as the dog suddenly lunged forward and I got pulled over too.
Luckily my cancer treatment involves adcal3 tablets twice a day and 6 infusions of zoledronic acid aka Zometa so my brain is encased in rock hard bone! At least I hope so
Hi @coffeecremes,
Just wanted to add, (though not used it myself yet) that a few anti-D’s are prescribed for menopausal symptoms, particularly night sweats. Citalopram is one of these, so if nightsweats due to hormone blockers are keeping your partner awake too, it could also be beneficial in that regard.