Posted by aleks on May 3, 2003, at 20:03:28
I have been asked why I am stopping Effexor XR when I have had such good results with it. My original motivation was to see if my brain chemistry had switched up so that I could live without it. But since going through withdrawal, I have been thinking about dependency in general.
First, there is physical dependency... maybe there isn't the same kind of physical dependency as heroin or Xanax or alcohol, but I have no doubt that I am experiencing physical symptoms while withdrawing from EXR.
Second, and maybe this should go in the faith section of this site, but it seems that I am depending on EXR for some of the fruits of the Spirit (joy, patience, peace, etc.)Who needs Spirit for peace and patience when I have Effexor?
Third, this whole experience has me wondering who I am. I am a different person when I take EXR. Does that mean I'm not myself when I take it? EXR blocks the extremes of highs and lows... does it make me too serene? I used to be angrier about social injustice, but EXR allows me to say "whatever". This political anesthesia allows me more of a sense of peace, but shouldn't my peace be disturbed in the face of injustice?
I would be very interested in hearing anyone else's thoughts on these subjects.
poster:aleks
thread:224132
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/224132.html