Husband's depression after open heart surgery

My father suffered depression years ago after his quadruple bypass. A short term antidepressant was helpful. Did the doctor mention switching to a different med? Years later my dad took several medications for depression and they were quite helpful. Sometimes it’s finding the right med, dose and/or combination of meds that proves helpful. Mental anguish is so distressing. For our family it worked out well.

My father also had heart surgery several times and I noticed that he was changed afterwards, he never took any medication other than nitroglycerin for angina pain and after time passed he seemed to start feeling better again. I think depression is very common after major surgery and especially for men who were always strong in their lives, feeling weak and vulnerable is hard for them to cope with, perhaps given time your husband will get better again and failing that he may want to make the decision whether to take a medication to help him, best wishes.

Sorry to hear this. I also once was taking something that made me depressed, but stopped immediately. Keep on trying to find the right one and be aware it takes about 6 weeks for an antidepressants to start working. Good luck. Don’t give up

My brother had triple bypass surgery last year and suffered from depression, which seems to be common after effects after this surgery. Part of his treatment plan was talk therapy which he found helpful.

All of the response posts make sense, dubbs.
You and your husband should have been informed (upon discharge) that depression following open heart surgery is almost a given, especially in men. Lorazepam and hydroxyzine will do absolutely nothing for his depression, in fact, such drugs might add to his depression. Of course, they help with anxiety...and sleeping a lot is not what he needs to be doing right now. Rest for sure. But he should have a cardiac rehab program in place or soon to be started to help in recovery. In fact, your medical center's cardiology department should offer programs/options to help their post-op cardiac patients do exactly this. Perhaps check into that. There are even support groups for open heart surgery post-op patients which he might greatly benefit from. In my opinion, your husband should not languish in depression. He needs help for this...hopefully short term. And genetically he might be prone to depression, complicating things. There are many, many medications for him to try...often it's trial and error. There is most certainly a drug that will work for him. Instead of SSRIs - he might respond better to SNRIs. And the best physician to prescribe such medications is not your surgeon/PCP/cardiologist but a psychiatrist. Ask for a referral for an evaluation for your husband.
Gradually, slowly your husband needs to recuperate from his surgery. He most certainly needs a full program in place. Sleeping a lot is not helpful to him, in fact it's detrimental for him in getting back on track with his life.
Cardiac programs are available for his physical, emotional and mental recovery. Antidepressions are serious medications but seem to be necessary right now. Help is available for him...be his strong advocate!
All the best to your husband and you...life post open heart surgery can/will get better for sure! Don't give up!