Debate SSRI's - The Evidence For and Against - Page 3

upstream · #21 07-04-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony

I have to add here though; Upstream your outline of SSRI's only included anti-depressants, where as an SSRI covers several functional categories, not just depression. SSRI's are classified for anxiety only also.... which some of these do work.

Anthony, I have heard of Paxil being prescribed for social anxiety, but do not have much information other than that. Thanks for raising this point, I'll have to look into it.

upstream · #22 07-04-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linasmom

I'm at the point where I truly believe that the SSRI's are causing my current major depressive episode. I have not had a depressive episode like this in 2 and a half years which just so happened to be the last time I was on an SSRI.

Rachel, again I'm biased here, but with medication I believe it is better to listen to your gut than your doctor.

I hope everything works out.

Roo · #23 07-04-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstream

Roo, I agree with almost all of this, but I believe where you and I differ is in ideas of permanence and plasticity. I have seen recent research showing that people are much more plastic and malleable that previously thought. Also, psychoanalyst and therapist Marie-France Hirigoyen has observed that many survivors of abuse, while having been altered from the experience, have the ability to evolve and grow. Her book is called "Stalking the Soul."

Upstream...funny you should mention this, 'cause I've been starting to read about brain plasticity recently (if that's what you are referring to here). I will definitely look into Stalking the Soul.

I'm at a point now, after 27 years of more or less consciously working with my history, of trying to discern what can (still) be changed, and what I need to accept and live with as gently and mindfully as possible. I know I've come a long way...and I've come to understand that some wounds never heal completely. (I hope I'm mistaken about this...)

Another thought about SSRIs ... I'm in perimenopause and I can't help but wonder what strangeness might occur after being on Paxil for 11.5 years.

If anyone has insight into this, please share and thanks...

anthony · #24 07-04-2008, 05:19 PM

Wow Roo.... that is a long time to be on a medication. Unless a medication specialist exists here, I would maybe seek one out in your community and see what they have to say. You can always find an expert in every area of medicine and mental health, you just have to look a little usually. I think someone who specialises in medication could give you a pretty good scope and idea of your question though. Would love to hear your feedback though if you do seek such specialist out about your specific request.

Cowgirl · #25 08-04-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo

Another thought about SSRIs ... I'm in perimenopause and I can't help but wonder what strangeness might occur after being on Paxil for 11.5 years.

If anyone has insight into this, please share and thanks...

All I know of Paxil is from a friend who was on it. She said it was very difficult to wean herself off of it as compared to the other SSRIs she had been on. From what she told me about the experience, you should probably be closely monitored during the time you are weaning away from it. She thought it was the worst transition she's ever been through, and she actually used the words "addiction" and "withdrawal" to describe the process.

I know that is hearsay, so take it for what it is worth.

Hugs,

Cowgirl

Cecilia · #26 08-04-2008, 02:03 AM

Roo:

I am surprised a doctor kept you on the same medication for so long! I have been on Zoloft, Paxil and Effexor. I was on Paxil for 2 years. It was a great help for anxiety. Then my doctor took me off. Coming off of it was hell. It made me very sick. The first few weeks were really bad; I could not drive to work without getting sick at least twice on the way then I was sick the rest of the day; I had really bad shakes, sweat poured off me and I couldn't keep anything down.

Hopefully, you will not have the same reaction.

upstream · #27 08-04-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo

Upstream...funny you should mention this, 'cause I've been starting to read about brain plasticity recently (if that's what you are referring to here).

Yes...

http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=3BYN2VU0QG1NCAKRGWCB5 VQBKE0YOISW?referral=7855&id=R0711B&_requestid=758 55

Quote:

Recent neuroscientific research shows that the health of your brain isn't, as experts once thought, just the product of childhood experiences and genetics; it reflects your adult choices and experiences as well. Professors Gilkey and Kilts of Emory University's medical and business schools explain how you can strengthen your brain's anatomy, neural networks, and cognitive abilities, and prevent functions such as memory from deteriorating as you age.
...
In other words, you can alter the physical makeup of your brain by learning new skills. The more cognitively fit you are, the better equipped you are to make decisions, solve problems, and deal with stress and change.

Also this one is good:
http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/30/cognitive-fitness-10-debunked-myths/

2quilt · #28 08-04-2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony

What physicians tell you is not necessarily true. Just because a doctor has a degree, does that make them right? No.

Somebody had to graduate at the bottom of the class. That doctor still holds a degree in medicine, but I sure would not want that person for my doctor.

upstream · #29 08-04-2008, 08:21 AM

I knew some brilliant and dedicated classmates in Engineering who struggled to get into med school... I imagine even the people at the bottom of those classes are smart and dedicated.

I think we're being too hard on the doctors... Gwen Olsen has a video where she talks about how she was trained to manipulate doctors into prescribing more drugs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOW8LNU2hFE

Quote:

This included tactics like minimizing harmful side effects to doctors, presenting statistics in a slanted way, accusing anyone that speaks out against psychiatric drugs as being a Scientologist, psychological profiling of doctors to best know how to convince them to prescribe your drugs, etc.

Scary stuff...

anthony · #30 08-04-2008, 08:34 AM

Absolutely upstream... there are many facets to this issue.... many problems that exist. Some are doctors stepping outside there professional bounds of knowledge and attempting to know everything so they don't look silly to their patient, instead of just saying, "I don't know but will get back to you." Some is pharmacology releasing false and misleading facts about a medication. Some is the makers hiding aspects that they are aware and just not releasing those facts period. There are many attributes, and by far when I say that all doctors are not created equal.... I mean that, though it I never intend for it to be taken exclusively.... though with commonsense applied.

Physicians work typically on their limited experience scope. I say limited because genetics are at play here. Like anyone, a doctor is human, and they find something they like and that is all they prescribe as a first line of defence. Many issues, many factors.... many valid points and commonsense must be applied.