Posted by LynneDa on January 22, 2004, at 11:08:51
In reply to Re: What and When of Lexapro, posted by nicky847 on January 22, 2004, at 10:58:52
> Thanks for reminding me that depression/anxiety is a learned behavior as well as a chemically-perpetuated/reinforced one. I was in counseling for YEARS trying to unlearn some of my behaviors, without much success (& without meds). I realized I needed meds to get myself to a positive enough mind-set that I could work on my behaviors.
Now that I'm feeling better, I need to get back to the "work" side of it. It seems overwhelming to start digging into the why's and wherefore's of my damaging behaviors, but I guess it's time!
I guess the meds will make some of these behaviors fade, but aren't there some that need to be picked apart & consciously examined to delete them from our behavioral repertoires?
~ Lynne
Lexy-
> I have to say that I disagree when I read stuff about getting "the full benefits" of Lexapro or any other antidepressant after 8 weeks...having been on Celexa for a year and a half I think that 8 weeks is just the beginning of getting the full benefits..b/c at that point you begin to finally feel well enough to begin living your life again..and find new things that make you happy...i feel i continued to benefit from Celexa LONG after the 8 week mark..
>
> Remember anxiety and depression is a learned behavior..and it takes time to unlearn it..if you are treating it properly the longer you undergo treatment the further those learned behaviors fade..
>
> > > Hi Lexy - glad to hear you're singing again! In my opinion, I would say 8 weeks should be enough. That seems to be what most people have said - and it's what my p-doc recommended. BUT, that's not to say you won't continue improving at that same dosage after the 8-week mark!
> > >
> > > I guess that's not really an answer, is it?!?! Here's a more quantifiable one: I knew I was sliding at 8 weeks and had to do something because I felt anxious & angry, thought my obsessive thoughts and felt bad about myself for at least 2 periods per day for an entire week. I knew it wasn't just a bad day or even week cuz it felt out of my control to stop the feelings and anxiety. I couldn't brush them off.
> > >
> > > If you're in doubt, examine how you feel and then look at how you deal with those feelings. Are you able to push them off on your own? How often do you feel that way? Are there triggers that would be "normal" causes for you to feel that way or are they undefinable and even irrational (as mine usually were!)?
> > >
> > > Hope that helps! Have a good evening everyone!
> > > ~ Lynne
> >
> > I think you explained that nicely!!!!!! I agree she hasnt got the full benefits of lexapro yet. But her singing is a good sign it may be working.
> > WAYNE
> >
> >
> >
>
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poster:LynneDa
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040122/msgs/304171.html