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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by aleks on May 3, 2003, at 20:03:28
I have been asked why I am stopping Effexor XR when I have had such good results with it. My original motivation was to see if my brain chemistry had switched up so that I could live without it. But since going through withdrawal, I have been thinking about dependency in general.
First, there is physical dependency... maybe there isn't the same kind of physical dependency as heroin or Xanax or alcohol, but I have no doubt that I am experiencing physical symptoms while withdrawing from EXR.
Second, and maybe this should go in the faith section of this site, but it seems that I am depending on EXR for some of the fruits of the Spirit (joy, patience, peace, etc.)Who needs Spirit for peace and patience when I have Effexor?
Third, this whole experience has me wondering who I am. I am a different person when I take EXR. Does that mean I'm not myself when I take it? EXR blocks the extremes of highs and lows... does it make me too serene? I used to be angrier about social injustice, but EXR allows me to say "whatever". This political anesthesia allows me more of a sense of peace, but shouldn't my peace be disturbed in the face of injustice?
I would be very interested in hearing anyone else's thoughts on these subjects.
Posted by linkadge on May 3, 2003, at 22:14:05
In reply to Dependency on SSRI's and SNRI's, posted by aleks on May 3, 2003, at 20:03:28
There is that aspect to things,
these drugs sometimes make you focus on
yourself, and in someways that is necesary
if you want to recover from depression.
You can't get over depression if you cannot
focus on your own needs for a while.As far as the fruits of the spirit go I know
what you are talking about. It seems that
on Celexa I am a nicer person, but in some
ways I cannot relate to peoples feelings like
I used to. Sometimes I feel useless in helping
someone in crisis because I cannot picture the
crisis myself.I think that whatever situation you are in,
you should find your direction from God.There is a verse that says something like
"from whom much is given, much is expected"
If you feel much better, then give more backOf course its easier on Effexor to be nice,
just as its easier for a full man to work
than it is for a hungry man. Let God direct
your tallents and abilties (They will change from
day to day).
Linkadge
Posted by stjames on May 4, 2003, at 0:57:29
In reply to Dependency on SSRI's and SNRI's, posted by aleks on May 3, 2003, at 20:03:28
Would you be asking this if you were a diabetic ?
Would you be saying that same of your glasses
if you had 20/200 vision. Why should depression
and its treatments be seen as any different
than any other physical condition.
Posted by aleks on May 4, 2003, at 13:36:39
In reply to Re: Dependency on Insulin, posted by stjames on May 4, 2003, at 0:57:29
I'm not a diabetic but I do have chronic allergy problems for which I take three prescription meds every day. There is a part of me that wishes I didn't need to take these meds and I am indeed trying to make all of the changes I can to support going off of the meds. But if the only relief that I can get from my allergies is through the use of meds, then I will continue to use the meds.
Likewise, if I can't get relief for my anxiety without the meds, then I will go back on the Effexor. But psych meds seem different to me than my allergy meds in that they are specifically targeted to deal with what I consider to be spiritual conditions. Without the Effexor I am afraid, impatient, unpeaceful. These are spiritual conditions that I wish could be addressed through spiritual means instead of chemical means.
I understand that body mind and spirit are all woven together and affect each other so that I suppose spiritual problems can be addressed through chemical means. But then chemical problems should also be able to be addressed through spiritual means, and indeed therapy and spirituality can go a long way toward addressing depression, anxiety, etc.
I guess I feel like I have failed spiritually if I have to resort to a chemical solution to what seems to me to be mainly a spiritual problem.
I am most welcome to any and all feedback on my thoughts.
> Would you be asking this if you were a diabetic ?
> Would you be saying that same of your glasses
> if you had 20/200 vision. Why should depression
> and its treatments be seen as any different
> than any other physical condition.
Posted by aleks on May 4, 2003, at 13:53:13
In reply to Re: Dependency on SSRI's and SNRI's, posted by linkadge on May 3, 2003, at 22:14:05
Thanks for your reply. I can definately relate to what you said about being a nicer person but in some ways having more difficulty relating to people's feeling like I used to.
I believe that Effexor allows me to adopt more of a "whatever" attitude ( I suffer mainly from anxiety with only a streak of depression.) This helps me to minimize my reaction to the stressors that other people bring into my life, which results in me being more laid back and thus a "nicer" person. But the same "whatever" attitude that prevents me from overreacting also sometimes prevents me from reacting emotionally at all.
"Whatever!"... I can disconnect from the pain of my stress...but also "whatever!"... I can disconnect from your pain also... which leads to the other point I was making in my first post about disconnecting from others' pain resulting from injustice.I'm not sure yet what to make of your remarks:
"Of course its easier on Effexor to be nice,
just as its easier for a full man to work
than it is for a hungry man. Let God direct
your tallents and abilties (They will change from
day to day)."
I will have to sit on these for a day or so.
> There is that aspect to things,
>
> these drugs sometimes make you focus on
> yourself, and in someways that is necesary
> if you want to recover from depression.
> You can't get over depression if you cannot
> focus on your own needs for a while.
>
> As far as the fruits of the spirit go I know
> what you are talking about. It seems that
> on Celexa I am a nicer person, but in some
> ways I cannot relate to peoples feelings like
> I used to. Sometimes I feel useless in helping
> someone in crisis because I cannot picture the
> crisis myself.
>
> I think that whatever situation you are in,
> you should find your direction from God.
>
> There is a verse that says something like
> "from whom much is given, much is expected"
> If you feel much better, then give more back
>
> Of course its easier on Effexor to be nice,
> just as its easier for a full man to work
> than it is for a hungry man. Let God direct
> your tallents and abilties (They will change from
> day to day).
>
>
> Linkadge
>
Posted by stjames on May 4, 2003, at 13:54:40
In reply to Re: Dependency on Insulin, posted by aleks on May 4, 2003, at 13:36:39
The church as a long history in calling the mantally ill zelots, and the faithful seem to
be unable to seperate the body from god.
In the end it is only you that suffers, and it is
you that make the choice to suffer, so make your choice to live with it to the best of your ability.
Posted by aleks on May 5, 2003, at 10:15:39
In reply to Re: Dependency on Insulin, posted by stjames on May 4, 2003, at 13:54:40
I don't understand what you are saying. Will you break it down for me?
The church as a long history in calling the mantally ill zelots, and the faithful seem to
> be unable to seperate the body from god.
> In the end it is only you that suffers, and it is
> you that make the choice to suffer, so make your choice to live with it to the best of your ability.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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