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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jarlath on May 10, 2001, at 10:41:14
I am new to this group. I am a male 42 yo taking celexa for about 4 mo. Only 10 mg/day but it has worked great in terms of making me feel good. Within a few days of taking it I couyld no longer think deeply about issues that would move me profoundly. I seemed to lose the ability to cry and feel sad, and I have done things and lied about them (had an affair) without feeling any guilt. Prior to taking celexa I was greatly motivated by guilt and it was very difficult for me to lie. Although I feel like i am the same person, and I need to take responsibility for my actions, I can't help feeling that being on this ssri facilitated me lying and doing things I would not previously have done. Does anyone have any ideas about this.
Thank Chris zenfossil@aol.com
Posted by CraigF on May 10, 2001, at 15:02:14
In reply to celexa, guilt and lying, posted by jarlath on May 10, 2001, at 10:41:14
I feel exactly the same way.
It feels great to not be motivated by guilt and fear (especially of non-existant things), but my new "no big deal" attitude has gotten me in trouble with my relationship (does it supress feelings of love, sentimentality?) and drugs. Prozac was similar, but worse in its numbing effect.
It's hard to know which of these feelings are "right" and whether a happy medium can be reached.
I'm afraid to come off it b.c. it makes me feel effective at work and personal responsibilities.
What to do? These are the type of side effects not mentioned in the pamphlets that make doctors look at you funny...hate that.
Posted by mila on May 10, 2001, at 18:26:39
In reply to Re: celexa, guilt and lying, posted by CraigF on May 10, 2001, at 15:02:14
Hi,
now that you can lie and cheat without guilt being on your way, maybe it is a good time to take a look at what is it that you really want, and get it for yourself without the need for lying and cheating. Talk to your partner about your lack of trust and inhibition, tell them about your dire needs... Change something in yourself, so that they can give it to you.
so called promiscuity can be a sign of healthy sexuality, of depression, and of some non-sexual needs not being normally satisfied. You rule.
best
mila
Posted by Kingfish on May 12, 2001, at 9:00:30
In reply to Re: celexa, guilt and lying Jarlath, posted by mila on May 10, 2001, at 18:26:39
> I'm BPII and have recently had an "awakening" of sorts, after finding meds which "work", which follows what you're saying. For the first time in so many years, I feel in control and have decided to go on a "no-guilt diet" for a while, having been ruled by bad guilt for so long.
I, too, wondered if it was the meds, because my relationship is "on the rocks" suddenly as well. But other things moved me still, so I realized that it was instead a call to re-evaluate it and myself, which I believe is what Mila is suggesting.
10 mg of Celexa is quite low so I would question whether it is the med, but I would also talk to your Dr. For one thing, if you're BP, you could be going into a manic phase. Consider how you feel about other things in life - do you seem turned off about everything? Or is it just this relationship?
Then, start thinking about things - a lot. Don't block things out anymore. Just let them come. You can deal with them now. That's one of the blessings of feeling better.
Good luck.
- K.
Posted by Jarlath on May 12, 2001, at 13:09:56
In reply to Re: celexa, guilt and lying Jarlath, posted by mila on May 10, 2001, at 18:26:39
Thanks for your responses. I am glad to hear that others have experienced these changes. Recently I have been struggling with whether to stay on the drug or stop it. My depression has been more situational(?) falling in love with a friend of 5 years and hurting my wife of 23 years. I am still in a time of trying to figure things out.
My wife thinks I am crazy for continuing the drug knowing of its effects on my guilt/honesty centers. She thinks it has made me lose my integrity and has changed me in a negative way as a person (but I guess she would).
My MD and my friend feel I should continue it to avoid some suicidal thoughts I was having and help me function.
I like the way it makes me feel and I feel I am the same decent person, just with less guilt about my extra-marital relationship. I still find enjoyment in other areas of life.
I ask myself the same questions you posed (kind of): In the next few months I need to make some important decisions about where my life (marriage) is headed. Do I want to do this "un-depressed but drug-induced state" but with a different viewpoint than I have had all my life (perhaps healthier and what I need)? or do I want to do it in a probably depressed, but a "who I am" state? At this point I don't know which one is even normal.
My mental health up until 3 mo before taking this drug was great. My life was great and my marriage (as I consciously percieved it) for the most part was decent and good (although now scutinizing it with our couselors, there were certainly unmet needs)
This is all probably more info than you wanted or needed. I appreciate the time you took for your postings.
Thanks, Jarlath
This is the end of the thread.
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