Posted by viridis on February 25, 2003, at 12:22:33
In reply to SSRIs seem to affect people 2 diff ways, posted by IsoM on February 25, 2003, at 0:27:03
I agree with the differences in reaction to SSRIs that IsoM described. For me, they cause initial agitation, followed by a state of "wired indifference" in which I feel tense, yet don't really care about anything, and people find me "spaced out". I also experience irrational bursts of anger (definitely not my normal self). My pdoc verified that this is one, not especially uncommon, type of reaction.
Yet I know others who have benefitted tremendously from these drugs. For example, I have a friend who, without SSRIs, works very hard, but is miserable all the time, eats compulsively, and tries to sleep as many hours of the day as possible. With a bit of Prozac, she's enthusiastic, motivated, and feels alive -- the difference is striking. The same is true for someone else I know who uses Celexa.
I guess it all depends on which brain chemicals and/or receptors are deficient, and where. It's too bad that we're not yet at the point where we can test for likely response in advance, but I expect that in a few years we will be. Until then, most of this will continue to be trial-and-error, but doctors need to recognize that not all patients are good candidates for SSRI therapy, and be willing to shift strategies if necessary.
poster:viridis
thread:203266
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/203712.html