Posted by Nickengland on June 25, 2005, at 10:13:31 [reposted on June 25, 2005, at 11:07:54 | original URL]
In reply to Re: SSRI Permanent or Persistent Sexual Side Effects, posted by Nezirov on June 25, 2005, at 5:31:06
My original reason for starting SSRI's was for a very deep disturbed depression at the age of 17...before this I had never taken any psychiatric drugs....
Before that, at the age of 16 I did have hypomanic symtoms, very mild hypo manic symtoms, nothing psychotic or delusional and not requiring hospitalisation so I fit neatly into the bipolar 2 catagory really.
So yes I beleieve I was bipolar before I went on SSRI's and it was to some extent inherited from my mother who is also bipolar. I had very similar symtoms to her and the age of onset of the illness was almost exactly the same as hers which clearly shows a genetic facter I believe.
I don't believe SSRI's could make someone bipolar...as SSRI's are simply not the cause of bipolar disorder, like cannabis is not the cause of schizophrenia - some people become psychotic from smoking cannabis and then go on to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia...but that doesnt mean the cannabis made the person schizoprenic...like wise an SSRI would not make a person bipolar. A bipolar diagnosis it not something litghly given either, it can sometimes take on average 8 years to recieve one and a careful history needs to be taken..such as in my case my mother having bipolar. Although some people can have a manic reaction to SSRI's...but when the SSRI's are stopped so is the manic reaction.
Lets not forget that low libido and poor sexual function are also side effects of depression...and if that depression is permanent and persistent thoughout you're life...so are some of the symtoms. Its a catch 22 that to treat the depression you make you sexual function worse...Luckily not all anti-depressants have this effect and you can take stuff to counter this.
Nick
poster:Nickengland
thread:518639
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050624/msgs/518644.html