Re: Getting Off Prozac

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan

For St 's Wort, look at this:

St. 's Wort Ineffective on Depression

By ABC NEWS

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/abc/20010418/ts/stjohnswort010417_1.html

Ususal caveat: Im not a doctor, just play one on the internet, etc.

Coming off Prozac ought to be very easy. It has a long half life in

the body, so that it tapers off pretty naturally. Unless your friend

has been on a very high dose a very long time he's unlikely to have a

problem coming off. St 's Wort is usually well tolerated by ppl

but as it doesnt appear to do anything is not worth it, and probably

wouldnt help come off Prozac in any case. He should talk with his doc

but if he's on the usual 20mg dose he could probaly stop straight away

without any problems at all.

P.

> Does anyone know where on the web to find information about getting

> off Prozac? I have a friend who has been taking it for a number of

> years. He will see his doctor, I'm sure, but he is interested in

> being as informed as possible before doing so. So many doctors just

> hand it out like candy,and, although he doesn't feel depressed or in

> any danger of becoming so, his doctor has discouraged him from

> stopping the medication before. Also, is anyone aware of any studies

> or information on the effectiveness or dangers of taking St. 's

> Wort? I don't usually buy into most of that herbal stuff, but I did

> take St. 's Wort once, and I had the same horrible reaction to

it

> that I did to Prozac. I was completely wired. Perhaps this was just

a

> Placebo effect, I don't know. My friend has not experienced the

> negative side effects to Prozac that I did and is considering the

> herbal supplement as an intermediate to taking nothing. Kind of like

> methadone, I guess. Anyway, I told him I'd see what I could find

out.

>

> Joan

[Guest guest]

hello all Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly but be tapered off . This is the word from my British National Formulary . SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided (associated with headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ). Take a real doctors advice on this ! (dentist )

[Guest guest]

hello all Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly but be tapered off . This is the word from my British National Formulary . SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided (associated with headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ). Take a real doctors advice on this ! (dentist )

[Guest guest]

hello all Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly but be tapered off . This is the word from my British National Formulary . SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided (associated with headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ). Take a real doctors advice on this ! (dentist )

[Guest guest]

At 06:53 PM 4/18/01 -0000, jmere@... wrote:

>Does anyone know where on the web to find information about getting

>off Prozac? I have a friend who has been taking it for a number of

There was the popular pro-Prozac book " Listening to Prozac " , and

I vaguely recall there was another book that was anti-Prozac.

Now looking at <http://www.bookfinder.com> there are lots of

titles with " prozac " in them, promising titles include " Prozac Nation "

(no, not by of TV Nation and that-General-Motors-movie

fame), and " Talking Back to Prozac " .

>Placebo effect, I don't know. My friend has not experienced the

>negative side effects to Prozac that I did and is considering the

>herbal supplement as an intermediate to taking nothing. Kind of like

>methadone, I guess. Anyway, I told him I'd see what I could find out.

There should be something on St. s Wort at the SOS/LSR site at

<http://www.unhooked.com>. It was a topic of discussion on the SOS

list a few years ago. I took St. s Wort for a couple of months

around that time, but didn't notice any effect.

-----

This post (except quoted portions) Copyright 2001, Ben Bradley.

http://listen.to/benbradley

[Guest guest]

At 06:53 PM 4/18/01 -0000, jmere@... wrote:

>Does anyone know where on the web to find information about getting

>off Prozac? I have a friend who has been taking it for a number of

There was the popular pro-Prozac book " Listening to Prozac " , and

I vaguely recall there was another book that was anti-Prozac.

Now looking at <http://www.bookfinder.com> there are lots of

titles with " prozac " in them, promising titles include " Prozac Nation "

(no, not by of TV Nation and that-General-Motors-movie

fame), and " Talking Back to Prozac " .

>Placebo effect, I don't know. My friend has not experienced the

>negative side effects to Prozac that I did and is considering the

>herbal supplement as an intermediate to taking nothing. Kind of like

>methadone, I guess. Anyway, I told him I'd see what I could find out.

There should be something on St. s Wort at the SOS/LSR site at

<http://www.unhooked.com>. It was a topic of discussion on the SOS

list a few years ago. I took St. s Wort for a couple of months

around that time, but didn't notice any effect.

-----

This post (except quoted portions) Copyright 2001, Ben Bradley.

http://listen.to/benbradley

[Guest guest]

At 06:53 PM 4/18/01 -0000, jmere@... wrote:

>Does anyone know where on the web to find information about getting

>off Prozac? I have a friend who has been taking it for a number of

There was the popular pro-Prozac book " Listening to Prozac " , and

I vaguely recall there was another book that was anti-Prozac.

Now looking at <http://www.bookfinder.com> there are lots of

titles with " prozac " in them, promising titles include " Prozac Nation "

(no, not by of TV Nation and that-General-Motors-movie

fame), and " Talking Back to Prozac " .

>Placebo effect, I don't know. My friend has not experienced the

>negative side effects to Prozac that I did and is considering the

>herbal supplement as an intermediate to taking nothing. Kind of like

>methadone, I guess. Anyway, I told him I'd see what I could find out.

There should be something on St. s Wort at the SOS/LSR site at

<http://www.unhooked.com>. It was a topic of discussion on the SOS

list a few years ago. I took St. s Wort for a couple of months

around that time, but didn't notice any effect.

-----

This post (except quoted portions) Copyright 2001, Ben Bradley.

http://listen.to/benbradley

[Guest guest]

Breggin is a med-skeptic and gives an extreme viewpoint that is not the general consensus of psychiatry, and should be viewed in that light. You might as well get advice off Szasz.

Actually, I believe Szaz' views hold a great deal of merit. The only thing that gives me pause is my brother's behavior. He's been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic for some 20 years, and god knows that when he isn't on his meds he is scary.

I don't believe I am "mentally ill." Nature simply gave me an unfortunately low stress threshold. It truly makes no difference to me whether this fact is considered a "medical problem" or simply a variation of a normal human condition on a low end of the spectrum. Either way, I choose not to exist in that condition as long as there are relatively innocuous chemicals I can ingest that make it far more bearable. For good or for ill, under the current regime the only way I can obtain these chemicals is to procure a scrip from a shrink. So that's what I do.

--Mona--

[Guest guest]

Breggin is a med-skeptic and gives an extreme viewpoint that is not the general consensus of psychiatry, and should be viewed in that light. You might as well get advice off Szasz.

Actually, I believe Szaz' views hold a great deal of merit. The only thing that gives me pause is my brother's behavior. He's been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic for some 20 years, and god knows that when he isn't on his meds he is scary.

I don't believe I am "mentally ill." Nature simply gave me an unfortunately low stress threshold. It truly makes no difference to me whether this fact is considered a "medical problem" or simply a variation of a normal human condition on a low end of the spectrum. Either way, I choose not to exist in that condition as long as there are relatively innocuous chemicals I can ingest that make it far more bearable. For good or for ill, under the current regime the only way I can obtain these chemicals is to procure a scrip from a shrink. So that's what I do.

--Mona--

[Guest guest]

My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly halted, and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered to be addictive?

I think they may well be addictive, insofar as they must be tapered off to avoid unpleasant side effects. However, not only have I NOT noticed that the two medications I take impair my cognitive abilities, I positively find that my mental acuity is stronger and more steady than when I do not take them.

One of these meds, Neurontin, was originally introduced for epileptics as an anti-convulsant, and I am aware of no reports that it impairs the cognition of the epileptics who take it.

--Mona--

[Guest guest]

My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly halted, and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered to be addictive?

I think they may well be addictive, insofar as they must be tapered off to avoid unpleasant side effects. However, not only have I NOT noticed that the two medications I take impair my cognitive abilities, I positively find that my mental acuity is stronger and more steady than when I do not take them.

One of these meds, Neurontin, was originally introduced for epileptics as an anti-convulsant, and I am aware of no reports that it impairs the cognition of the epileptics who take it.

--Mona--

[Guest guest]

Hi Mona

A measure of how bad I am off meds at the moment is that I am less

able to fully endorse what you say and give appropriate resonses to

med-skeptics and herb-proponents. I must see my doc soon and go bck

on an approporate med. Paxil usually gives ppl few problems but I

know from experience can be hard to come off.

Since I'm not at my best I will simply say here:

Breggin is a med-skeptic and gives an extreme viewpoint that is not

the general consensus of psychiatry, and should be viewed in that

light. You might as well get advice off Szasz.

The St 's Wort " Study " , even when put in quotes, will nevertheless

be a quality methodoligical study performed to a high standard, with

original data sets made available and peer reviewed - suggestions of

bias because it is sponsored are just scare tactics. These studies

are being done in order that companies might market the active

ingredient, so if a positive result is shown then the skeptics will

berate then for that reason instead. It is vastly more credible a

soure of information than the kaftan beads and sandals brigade

deciding that SJW has its place along with nice smelling stuff

(aromatherapy), inert pills or water (homeopathy) or sticking needles

in completely irrelevant parts of the body (accupuncture).

Psychological unpleasant effects from drugs are called " nocebo

effects " and are very common, as are of course, physical ones. The

study merely suggests there is no above-placebo *anti-depressant*

effect of SJW, not that it might produce genuine unpleasant side

effects! In fact, SJW was already known to have adverse reactions,

and this may actually explain why it has been thought to be an

antidepressant. Positive psychological reponses, i.e. the placebo

effect, occur more strongly is the treatment cuses pain or discomfort.

Hence, if SJW has an upleasant effect like insomnia ppl will tend to

report that that they are less depressed too. Since depressed ppl

fell self-aversion, then the adverse reactions may psychologically

finction as a " punishment " tha relieves their sense of guilt and hence

raises their mood. In *general* this response to side-effects is

called the " active placebo " effect, and hence drugs are often tested

against existing drugs in clinical trials to allow for this, as well

as inert placebos.

Best,

P.

> In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> CATSJP1000@a... writes:

>

>

> > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly but

be

> > tapered

> > off .

> > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

(associated

> > with

> > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> >

>

> That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

Anyone who

> wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

anxiety and

> depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

about.com

> and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

encountered

> discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found useful.

>

> Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

life-saving and

> -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with inordinate

levels of

> anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some sort

of wuss

> and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of shape as

I did

> over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was wrong

with me.

>

> When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once in

1997, my

> self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my meds,

I feel

> almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

>

> --Mona--

[Guest guest]

Hi Mona

A measure of how bad I am off meds at the moment is that I am less

able to fully endorse what you say and give appropriate resonses to

med-skeptics and herb-proponents. I must see my doc soon and go bck

on an approporate med. Paxil usually gives ppl few problems but I

know from experience can be hard to come off.

Since I'm not at my best I will simply say here:

Breggin is a med-skeptic and gives an extreme viewpoint that is not

the general consensus of psychiatry, and should be viewed in that

light. You might as well get advice off Szasz.

The St 's Wort " Study " , even when put in quotes, will nevertheless

be a quality methodoligical study performed to a high standard, with

original data sets made available and peer reviewed - suggestions of

bias because it is sponsored are just scare tactics. These studies

are being done in order that companies might market the active

ingredient, so if a positive result is shown then the skeptics will

berate then for that reason instead. It is vastly more credible a

soure of information than the kaftan beads and sandals brigade

deciding that SJW has its place along with nice smelling stuff

(aromatherapy), inert pills or water (homeopathy) or sticking needles

in completely irrelevant parts of the body (accupuncture).

Psychological unpleasant effects from drugs are called " nocebo

effects " and are very common, as are of course, physical ones. The

study merely suggests there is no above-placebo *anti-depressant*

effect of SJW, not that it might produce genuine unpleasant side

effects! In fact, SJW was already known to have adverse reactions,

and this may actually explain why it has been thought to be an

antidepressant. Positive psychological reponses, i.e. the placebo

effect, occur more strongly is the treatment cuses pain or discomfort.

Hence, if SJW has an upleasant effect like insomnia ppl will tend to

report that that they are less depressed too. Since depressed ppl

fell self-aversion, then the adverse reactions may psychologically

finction as a " punishment " tha relieves their sense of guilt and hence

raises their mood. In *general* this response to side-effects is

called the " active placebo " effect, and hence drugs are often tested

against existing drugs in clinical trials to allow for this, as well

as inert placebos.

Best,

P.

> In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> CATSJP1000@a... writes:

>

>

> > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly but

be

> > tapered

> > off .

> > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

(associated

> > with

> > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> >

>

> That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

Anyone who

> wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

anxiety and

> depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

about.com

> and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

encountered

> discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found useful.

>

> Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

life-saving and

> -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with inordinate

levels of

> anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some sort

of wuss

> and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of shape as

I did

> over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was wrong

with me.

>

> When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once in

1997, my

> self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my meds,

I feel

> almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

>

> --Mona--

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I forgot. Dorothy Rowe, one of the foremost psychologists in hte Uk,

writes a foreward for Dr. breggin's book, Toxic Psychiatry, and

endorses him heartily.

>From: watts_pete@...

>Reply-To: 12-step-free

>To: 12-step-free

>Subject: Re: Getting Off Prozac

>Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 17:44:25 -0000

>

>Hi Mona

>

>A measure of how bad I am off meds at the moment is that I am less

>able to fully endorse what you say and give appropriate resonses to

>med-skeptics and herb-proponents. I must see my doc soon and go bck

>on an approporate med. Paxil usually gives ppl few problems but I

>know from experience can be hard to come off.

>

>Since I'm not at my best I will simply say here:

>

>Breggin is a med-skeptic and gives an extreme viewpoint that is not

>the general consensus of psychiatry, and should be viewed in that

>light. You might as well get advice off Szasz.

>

>The St 's Wort " Study " , even when put in quotes, will nevertheless

>be a quality methodoligical study performed to a high standard, with

>original data sets made available and peer reviewed - suggestions of

>bias because it is sponsored are just scare tactics. These studies

>are being done in order that companies might market the active

>ingredient, so if a positive result is shown then the skeptics will

>berate then for that reason instead. It is vastly more credible a

>soure of information than the kaftan beads and sandals brigade

>deciding that SJW has its place along with nice smelling stuff

>(aromatherapy), inert pills or water (homeopathy) or sticking needles

>in completely irrelevant parts of the body (accupuncture).

>

>Psychological unpleasant effects from drugs are called " nocebo

>effects " and are very common, as are of course, physical ones. The

>study merely suggests there is no above-placebo *anti-depressant*

>effect of SJW, not that it might produce genuine unpleasant side

>effects! In fact, SJW was already known to have adverse reactions,

>and this may actually explain why it has been thought to be an

>antidepressant. Positive psychological reponses, i.e. the placebo

>effect, occur more strongly is the treatment cuses pain or discomfort.

>Hence, if SJW has an upleasant effect like insomnia ppl will tend to

>report that that they are less depressed too. Since depressed ppl

>fell self-aversion, then the adverse reactions may psychologically

>finction as a " punishment " tha relieves their sense of guilt and hence

>raises their mood. In *general* this response to side-effects is

>called the " active placebo " effect, and hence drugs are often tested

>against existing drugs in clinical trials to allow for this, as well

>as inert placebos.

>

>Best,

>P.

>

>

> > In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > CATSJP1000@a... writes:

> >

> >

> > > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly but

>be

> > > tapered

> > > off .

> > > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

>(associated

> > > with

> > > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> > >

> >

> > That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

>Anyone who

> > wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

>anxiety and

> > depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

>about.com

> > and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

>encountered

> > discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found useful.

> >

> > Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

>life-saving and

> > -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with inordinate

>levels of

> > anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some sort

>of wuss

> > and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of shape as

>I did

> > over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was wrong

>with me.

> >

> > When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once in

>1997, my

> > self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my meds,

>I feel

> > almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

> >

> > --Mona--

>

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

,

>I found that all psychiatric drugs effect ones cognitive abilities

>which are required to learn to deal with the circumstances in life

>which

>cause these negative states which human beings can get stuck in for

>prolonged periods.

I agree with you. My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect

cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly halted,

and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered to

be addictive? I mean, cocaine used to be viewed as a cure-all

medicine until minorities started taking it and everybody got scared

that they'd have sex with the white women, at least according to

MSNBC. Why is Prozac different?

Joan

> > > In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > CATSJP1000@a... writes:

> > >

> > >

> > > > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped

abruptly but

> >be

> > > > tapered

> > > > off .

> > > > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > > > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

> >(associated

> > > > with

> > > > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> > > >

> > >

> > > That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

> >Anyone who

> > > wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

> >anxiety and

> > > depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

> >about.com

> > > and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

> >encountered

> > > discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found

useful.

> > >

> > > Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

> >life-saving and

> > > -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with

inordinate

> >levels of

> > > anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some

sort

> >of wuss

> > > and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of

shape as

> >I did

> > > over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was

wrong

> >with me.

> > >

> > > When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once

in

> >1997, my

> > > self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my

meds,

> >I feel

> > > almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

> > >

> > > --Mona--

> >

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

___

> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at

http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

,

>I found that all psychiatric drugs effect ones cognitive abilities

>which are required to learn to deal with the circumstances in life

>which

>cause these negative states which human beings can get stuck in for

>prolonged periods.

I agree with you. My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect

cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly halted,

and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered to

be addictive? I mean, cocaine used to be viewed as a cure-all

medicine until minorities started taking it and everybody got scared

that they'd have sex with the white women, at least according to

MSNBC. Why is Prozac different?

Joan

> > > In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > CATSJP1000@a... writes:

> > >

> > >

> > > > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped

abruptly but

> >be

> > > > tapered

> > > > off .

> > > > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > > > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

> >(associated

> > > > with

> > > > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> > > >

> > >

> > > That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

> >Anyone who

> > > wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

> >anxiety and

> > > depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

> >about.com

> > > and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

> >encountered

> > > discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found

useful.

> > >

> > > Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

> >life-saving and

> > > -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with

inordinate

> >levels of

> > > anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some

sort

> >of wuss

> > > and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of

shape as

> >I did

> > > over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was

wrong

> >with me.

> > >

> > > When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once

in

> >1997, my

> > > self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my

meds,

> >I feel

> > > almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

> > >

> > > --Mona--

> >

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

___

> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at

http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

Mona,

I did not mean to suggest that all psychiatric drugs do impair

cognitive ability, I was just putting a " what if " on what

claimed. I don't have enough concrete information to say one way or

the other. I felt as if my thinking abilities were enhanced by

Prozac. The problem was that they were too enhanced. I felt like I

was on speed. I'm sure it varies from person to person and from drug

to drug.

I'm just wondering how the label of " addictive " plays into whether

people consider themselves to be addicted or feel addicted. Most

psychiatric drugs are not labeled as such. Most people who take them

on a regular basis do not consider themselves to be addicted. I

wonder if it would be different if they were called " addictive " . And

if cocaine were still considered to be a wonder drug, would people's

perception of its addictive properties be different?

Joan

> In a message dated 4/19/01 3:14:03 PM US Eastern Standard Time,

> jmere@e... writes:

>

>

> > My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect

> > cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly

halted,

> > and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered

to

> >

>

> I think they may well be addictive, insofar as they must be tapered

off to

> avoid unpleasant side effects. However, not only have I NOT

noticed that the

> two medications I take impair my cognitive abilities, I positively

find that

> my mental acuity is stronger and more steady than when I do not

take them.

> One of these meds, Neurontin, was originally introduced for

epileptics as an

> anti-convulsant, and I am aware of no reports that it impairs the

cognition

> of the epileptics who take it.

>

> --Mona--

[Guest guest]

Mona,

I did not mean to suggest that all psychiatric drugs do impair

cognitive ability, I was just putting a " what if " on what

claimed. I don't have enough concrete information to say one way or

the other. I felt as if my thinking abilities were enhanced by

Prozac. The problem was that they were too enhanced. I felt like I

was on speed. I'm sure it varies from person to person and from drug

to drug.

I'm just wondering how the label of " addictive " plays into whether

people consider themselves to be addicted or feel addicted. Most

psychiatric drugs are not labeled as such. Most people who take them

on a regular basis do not consider themselves to be addicted. I

wonder if it would be different if they were called " addictive " . And

if cocaine were still considered to be a wonder drug, would people's

perception of its addictive properties be different?

Joan

> In a message dated 4/19/01 3:14:03 PM US Eastern Standard Time,

> jmere@e... writes:

>

>

> > My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect

> > cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly

halted,

> > and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered

to

> >

>

> I think they may well be addictive, insofar as they must be tapered

off to

> avoid unpleasant side effects. However, not only have I NOT

noticed that the

> two medications I take impair my cognitive abilities, I positively

find that

> my mental acuity is stronger and more steady than when I do not

take them.

> One of these meds, Neurontin, was originally introduced for

epileptics as an

> anti-convulsant, and I am aware of no reports that it impairs the

cognition

> of the epileptics who take it.

>

> --Mona--

[Guest guest]

Many psychiatric medications are indded deemed addictive. Much depends on

whose research a person looks at. A lot of research money is channelled

into the Industry by the Pharmaceautical Lobby and the results weighted

and sometinmes altered to suit the Corporate needs at the time. Lilleys own

research on Prozac was doctored and some of it repressed for over 8 years

as the the negative effects it has on the life of a significant percentage

of those who take it. Little money goes into research which looks into the

more negative aspects of these medications. Universities tend to have

funding withdrawn should they take on research deemed detrimental to their

Corporate Sponsors Welfare.

I, too, look on Prozac and other similar drugs as being speed like in

effect. This sharpens the intellect somewhat but reduces the emotional depth

of that intellect. In other words I can learn book like a lot more easily

but assimilating what i read into me own emotional experinces Becomes so

much harder if not impossible. Rarely do i notice efects on my cognitive

abilities until some time has passed. To me this is one4 of the hidden costs

that only becomes visible on hindsight and usually some years later.

There are many long term effects of various psychiatric medications but

due to the paucity of objective research and the suppression of negative

findings by these companies it is usually years later before they become

known. There have been many wonder pills over the years but all have fallen

by the wayside for some reason or another.

I have no axe to grind as to whether others take psychiatric medication

-- that is up to them as I prefer not to given my own and my many friends

experiences -- but I do urge that each look closely at the drugs they are

taking and their possible effects before embarking on that course of

action.

I also do not think that life is about happiness all the time. Sometimes

the deeper the hell I got myself into through the lack of various skills

made the light required to extrciate myself from that darkness so much

brighter on my passage out of the tunnel. A tunnel I may never have known

should i have adopted the bio-chemical structure with which to understand

my experiences. As Lynne Segal said, " I am not a prisoner of my own

biology. " I believe my human potential outweighs any slight genetic or

chemical difference their MAY be between myself and the large majority of my

species.

Goerge

>From: jmere@...

>Reply-To: 12-step-free

>To: 12-step-free

>Subject: Re: Getting Off Prozac

>Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 19:27:02 -0000

>

>,

>

> >I found that all psychiatric drugs effect ones cognitive abilities

> >which are required to learn to deal with the circumstances in life

> >which

> >cause these negative states which human beings can get stuck in for

> >prolonged periods.

>

>I agree with you. My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect

>cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly halted,

>and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered to

>be addictive? I mean, cocaine used to be viewed as a cure-all

>medicine until minorities started taking it and everybody got scared

>that they'd have sex with the white women, at least according to

>MSNBC. Why is Prozac different?

>

>Joan

>

>

>

>

>

> > > > In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > > CATSJP1000@a... writes:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped

>abruptly but

> > >be

> > > > > tapered

> > > > > off .

> > > > > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > > > > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

> > >(associated

> > > > > with

> > > > > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

> > >Anyone who

> > > > wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

> > >anxiety and

> > > > depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

> > >about.com

> > > > and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

> > >encountered

> > > > discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found

>useful.

> > > >

> > > > Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

> > >life-saving and

> > > > -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with

>inordinate

> > >levels of

> > > > anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some

>sort

> > >of wuss

> > > > and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of

>shape as

> > >I did

> > > > over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was

>wrong

> > >with me.

> > > >

> > > > When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once

>in

> > >1997, my

> > > > self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my

>meds,

> > >I feel

> > > > almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

> > > >

> > > > --Mona--

> > >

> >

> >

>______________________________________________________________________

>___

> > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at

>http://www.hotmail.com.

>

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

Many psychiatric medications are indded deemed addictive. Much depends on

whose research a person looks at. A lot of research money is channelled

into the Industry by the Pharmaceautical Lobby and the results weighted

and sometinmes altered to suit the Corporate needs at the time. Lilleys own

research on Prozac was doctored and some of it repressed for over 8 years

as the the negative effects it has on the life of a significant percentage

of those who take it. Little money goes into research which looks into the

more negative aspects of these medications. Universities tend to have

funding withdrawn should they take on research deemed detrimental to their

Corporate Sponsors Welfare.

I, too, look on Prozac and other similar drugs as being speed like in

effect. This sharpens the intellect somewhat but reduces the emotional depth

of that intellect. In other words I can learn book like a lot more easily

but assimilating what i read into me own emotional experinces Becomes so

much harder if not impossible. Rarely do i notice efects on my cognitive

abilities until some time has passed. To me this is one4 of the hidden costs

that only becomes visible on hindsight and usually some years later.

There are many long term effects of various psychiatric medications but

due to the paucity of objective research and the suppression of negative

findings by these companies it is usually years later before they become

known. There have been many wonder pills over the years but all have fallen

by the wayside for some reason or another.

I have no axe to grind as to whether others take psychiatric medication

-- that is up to them as I prefer not to given my own and my many friends

experiences -- but I do urge that each look closely at the drugs they are

taking and their possible effects before embarking on that course of

action.

I also do not think that life is about happiness all the time. Sometimes

the deeper the hell I got myself into through the lack of various skills

made the light required to extrciate myself from that darkness so much

brighter on my passage out of the tunnel. A tunnel I may never have known

should i have adopted the bio-chemical structure with which to understand

my experiences. As Lynne Segal said, " I am not a prisoner of my own

biology. " I believe my human potential outweighs any slight genetic or

chemical difference their MAY be between myself and the large majority of my

species.

Goerge

>From: jmere@...

>Reply-To: 12-step-free

>To: 12-step-free

>Subject: Re: Getting Off Prozac

>Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 19:27:02 -0000

>

>,

>

> >I found that all psychiatric drugs effect ones cognitive abilities

> >which are required to learn to deal with the circumstances in life

> >which

> >cause these negative states which human beings can get stuck in for

> >prolonged periods.

>

>I agree with you. My question is, if psychiatric drugs effect

>cognitive abilitities, cause adverse reactions when abrubtly halted,

>and change one's mood when injested, why are they not considered to

>be addictive? I mean, cocaine used to be viewed as a cure-all

>medicine until minorities started taking it and everybody got scared

>that they'd have sex with the white women, at least according to

>MSNBC. Why is Prozac different?

>

>Joan

>

>

>

>

>

> > > > In a message dated 4/19/01 7:28:51 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > > CATSJP1000@a... writes:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > Its my understanding that SSRIs should not be stopped

>abruptly but

> > >be

> > > > > tapered

> > > > > off .

> > > > > This is the word from my British National Formulary .

> > > > > SSRIS ( Prozac is one ) Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided

> > >(associated

> > > > > with

> > > > > headaches ,nausea , parasthesia , dizziness and anxiety ).

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > That's all true in my experience with Paxil, which I still take.

> > >Anyone who

> > > > wants information and exchanges with others who take meds for

> > >anxiety and

> > > > depression could check out about.anxiety/depression.com. (Go to

> > >about.com

> > > > and click on letter " A " and locate anxiety forum.) There I

> > >encountered

> > > > discussions about Paxil by other consumers, which I found

>useful.

> > > >

> > > > Myself, I have found Paxil and Neurontin to be incredibly

> > >life-saving and

> > > > -enhancing. Since childhood I have been afflicted with

>inordinate

> > >levels of

> > > > anxiety, which pissed me off and made me feel like I was some

>sort

> > >of wuss

> > > > and sicko. I KNEW it was not normal to get as bent out of

>shape as

> > >I did

> > > > over some things, and couldn't figure out what the f*ck was

>wrong

> > >with me.

> > > >

> > > > When a series of extremely traumatic events hit me all at once

>in

> > >1997, my

> > > > self-medication with alcohol went WAY out of control. With my

>meds,

> > >I feel

> > > > almost no desire to drink, and have a life.

> > > >

> > > > --Mona--

> > >

> >

> >

>______________________________________________________________________

>___

> > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at

>http://www.hotmail.com.

>

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

That's good that the Paxil worked for you, a lot of people have trouble

finding an SSRI that is effective for reducing social (or any type of)

anxiety, although ideally it is effective. Incidentally I've read in a few

journals that Paxil is no more effective than any other SSRI's (Prozac,

Zoloft, etc.) for social anxiety, it's just that Paxil was the only one

FDA-approved (meaning the company spent millions of dollars for that purpose)

for having it " officially " indicated for that purpose. Had you ever been on

any benzo's (Ativan, Xanax, etc.?)

Nick

[Guest guest]

That's good that the Paxil worked for you, a lot of people have trouble

finding an SSRI that is effective for reducing social (or any type of)

anxiety, although ideally it is effective. Incidentally I've read in a few

journals that Paxil is no more effective than any other SSRI's (Prozac,

Zoloft, etc.) for social anxiety, it's just that Paxil was the only one

FDA-approved (meaning the company spent millions of dollars for that purpose)

for having it " officially " indicated for that purpose. Had you ever been on

any benzo's (Ativan, Xanax, etc.?)

Nick

[Guest guest]

That's good that the Paxil worked for you, a lot of people have trouble

finding an SSRI that is effective for reducing social (or any type of)

anxiety, although ideally it is effective. Incidentally I've read in a few

journals that Paxil is no more effective than any other SSRI's (Prozac,

Zoloft, etc.) for social anxiety, it's just that Paxil was the only one

FDA-approved (meaning the company spent millions of dollars for that purpose)

for having it " officially " indicated for that purpose. Had you ever been on

any benzo's (Ativan, Xanax, etc.?)

Nick

[Guest guest]

Fwiw, Zoloft and Prozac increase my anxiety considerably; only Paxil

reduced it, which proved very helpful on the occasion when I had to

confront an asshole who was threatening me.

P.

> That's good that the Paxil worked for you, a lot of people have

trouble

> finding an SSRI that is effective for reducing social (or any type

of)

> anxiety, although ideally it is effective. Incidentally I've read in

a few

> journals that Paxil is no more effective than any other SSRI's

(Prozac,

> Zoloft, etc.) for social anxiety, it's just that Paxil was the only

one

> FDA-approved (meaning the company spent millions of dollars for that

purpose)

> for having it " officially " indicated for that purpose. Had you ever

been on

> any benzo's (Ativan, Xanax, etc.?)

>

> Nick

[Guest guest]

Fwiw, Zoloft and Prozac increase my anxiety considerably; only Paxil

reduced it, which proved very helpful on the occasion when I had to

confront an asshole who was threatening me.

P.

> That's good that the Paxil worked for you, a lot of people have

trouble

> finding an SSRI that is effective for reducing social (or any type

of)

> anxiety, although ideally it is effective. Incidentally I've read in

a few

> journals that Paxil is no more effective than any other SSRI's

(Prozac,

> Zoloft, etc.) for social anxiety, it's just that Paxil was the only

one

> FDA-approved (meaning the company spent millions of dollars for that

purpose)

> for having it " officially " indicated for that purpose. Had you ever

been on

> any benzo's (Ativan, Xanax, etc.?)

>

> Nick