Posted by linkadge on June 7, 2003, at 4:20:57
In reply to Re: Important Question-- SSRIs, etc. » bookgurl99, posted by Questionmark on June 7, 2003, at 3:33:11
The sleep related decrease in REM, is mostly dose dependant, and can reduce over time.
We are not sure that SSRI's cause brain dammage, but we do know for sure that they cause brain growth, in the hippocampus areas of the brain. Antidepressants and aerobic excercise are some of the only things known to do this.
My theory is that when a person takes an antidepressant, new connections are made, and new brain wiring is implemented, but without the drug it is hard for the brain to continue to use those new areas, resulting in a feeling of relative deprivation.
I would personally recomend a months worth of vigerous excercise (1 hr day), before you asses your need for an AD.
I don't say this in a stingy way at all. What I mean is that if you are suffering some imparement, it is highly likely that excercise will help reset (or not reset) the brain's wiring.
Excercise, dramatically increases the level of BDNF which is a substance known for its antidepressant and adaptogenic function.
**Excercise is very likely to take your chemistry back to where it was prior Paxil**Whenever I have come off AD's excercise helps the withdrawl, and helps me to more clearly reasses my need and dose of an Antidepressant.
I came off 20 mg of Celexa which only 'sort of worked' started jogging for an hour each day, and then started back on 10 mg with *much better sucess*
Think of it this way - you started paxil for real probems, it may be that those real problems are reemerging. You may just need it again.
But excercise can help you get back to your genetic setpoint for mood - whatever that may be, good or not so good, and may help you make a decision.
Best of Luck
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:232047
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/232118.html