Posted by FinishBen on January 17, 2009, at 17:58:34
In reply to Long Term SSRI Use Has Destabilzed Me, posted by NewQuestions on January 16, 2009, at 10:28:30
Hey "New Questions" - I too took SSRIs for a very extended period of time, approximately eleven years, first for OCD and later for depression. I also experienced a burnout after years of effectiveness. I have been off meds with few brief interludes for almost two years.
Just something to think about: I experience frequent mental fog, irritability, apathy, and other negative emotional and cognitive states, to an extent that I never did before taking SSRIs. However, I think Scott may be on to something - for me, at least, these seem to come with depression, and do not seem to be totally independent. I have never experienced these effects without also noticing - when I check - negative thinking patterns and general malaise. I know this might seem like mincing words, a bit, but in the brief periods when I have managed to NOT be depressed in my times off of SSRIs, I have noticed all these really negative cognitive and emotional side-effects abate. Not to say that long-term SSRI usage did not play a role in driving these symptoms, but I think they are also driven by depression too.
Also, there is absolutely no reason to think that these will be permanent issue. At times, I am intensely discomforted by the absence of long-term data on long-term SSRI usage and the possible damage that could result. However, there is real and anecdotal evidence of the brain healing itself.
While these may be long term issues for past SSRI users, and while it may seems that we can't live with or without SSRIs, there is no reason to think that it will always be like this. Though it is ever so tempting to fall into the trap of thinking that all is gone and lost....
poster:FinishBen
thread:874312
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/874559.html