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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katie on May 5, 2002, at 20:44:03
In response to message Posted by ST on May 5, 2002, at 4:37:12
You asked. Do the SSRIs numb us? Yes, they do. Chemically that's what they are programmed to do. The positive is that we can pout things in balance and weigh up our feelings on things so as not to be overwhelmed. However, reducing the medication reduces our "protection" as such and we start to feel more. It's is like how some of us lose our sex drives on this medication, but once off it, it's back. That's a key description of how numbed we actually are.
I have reduced my Effexor XR from 150mg to 75mg in the last two days. I haven't felt physically that good, but mentally I am revived and happy to be taking control of my emotions without them being metered by my medication.
What gave me the strength to do this was a chance visit to a kinesiologist who shared with me the Dalai Lamas view on depression. The Dalai Lama believes that depression equals desire. If your desires are unfulfilled, especially after working your butt off to achieve them, then depression follows. However, if we practice acceptance of not reaching our desires at any one time, re-evaluating them and perhaps not putting so much pressure on ourselves then we may not feel the crushing weight of the blackness that can swallow us.
I am practising focusing on my goals, slowing down my desire to achieve them (i.e. not all at once!) and working diligently on them one step at a time. If I don't reach something, I want to first accept that, not sink into depression, and then I want to reassess it and put more positive energy into reaching something even better!This journey is just starting, I hope it's a success, but any feedback on my new view would be greatly appreciated.
Smiles to all, Katie
Posted by blg on May 6, 2002, at 8:49:25
In reply to Effexor XR Withdrawl and positive mind techniques , posted by Katie on May 5, 2002, at 20:44:03
Thats a wonderful outlook. And a very good point! i hope all goes well with you. Mind over Matter
Posted by ST on May 6, 2002, at 16:59:41
In reply to Effexor XR Withdrawl and positive mind techniques , posted by Katie on May 5, 2002, at 20:44:03
Katie,
Thanks for the post! You are absolutely right about woking on one's mental approach to life and not just expecting drugs to take care of it. I'm bipolar II and I know what I have is chemical. I know I do need to be on medication to balance the chemicals in my brain. I also know that the drugs are not going to do everything for me. What the drugs *have* done is get me over a certain hump to where I can really start making my desires become reality. I know when I feel like killing myself, let's say, that it is the chemicals in my brain and I don't give the thought as much power as I used to. (I've also been in therapy for years which has helped so much!)
Yes, the ADs can numb us - the trick is to not setle, I think, for merely feeling OK. Not settling for simply not being suicidal anymore, or whatever the case may be. It takes more than the drugs to change our lives. I've lowered the dosage on my mood stabilizer and ADs considerably over the past few years. My goal has been to be on as little as needed so as not to experience the chemical-imbalance-induced mood swings, yet still feel life deeply. Things have been going pretty well. Can't wait to get the Effexor totally out of my system!
I think the withdrawal from Effexor has really intensified any feelings I've had over the past few days. I feel like I'm PMSing in a big, bad way!!
Again, thanks for your post.
Take care,
Sarah
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