Posted by blueberry on September 17, 2006, at 16:32:12
In reply to Tonight I don't feel that antidepressants work, posted by Phillipa on September 16, 2006, at 23:23:47
The brain is very plastic and seems to me to have an extraordinary built-in ability to adjust and reconfigure itself no matter what influence it receives from a drug. For some people it happens fast and others slow, probably from built-in genetic instructions. I think after a while the brain figures out how to compensate for all that extra serotonin from an ssri and then poop-out occurs. And it adjusts to all other drugs too. The dopamine and opioid systems seem particularly sensitive and adjust radidly.
Imagine a virgin undrugged depressed brain. Then it gets under the influence of a drug and then receptors change in density and responsiveness, genes are altered, synapses are altered, and who knows what. Then take away that drug. Now the brain readjusts again, but not back to the original virgin version, as too many solid changes have occured for that to happen. The undrugged brain is now different than it originally was. Now introduce that same drug again, and it is working on a different brain than it was the first time, so it might not work.
Just my wild crazy totally unscientific thoughts on the matter.
I think in rare cases, maybe 10%, antidepressants truly work wonderfully for some magical accidental lucky reason. But for how long? I think the relapse rate for antidepressants is about 100%. It's just a matter of time. I think it is very wise for anyone who experiences a decent drug response to stick with it for the whole ride and don't rock the boat by changing drugs or doses.
And I agree with you...tonight I don't feel like antidepressants work either. The ones that used to work for me are nothing but useless or trouble now.
poster:blueberry
thread:686696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060909/msgs/686857.html