SSRIs:Devil’s advocate

I thought about labeling this post,Prozac:devil’s advocate. That would have represented my response to the media portrayal of fluoexetine a.k.a brand name “Prozac”. It looks to me people are rallying on google to save humanity from the Prozac/fluoxetine bomb.

Its about time for people who have benefited from the drug to speak up. I however by no means advocate the over prescription of anti depressants or any other drug not necessary. But why do we forget SSRIs have helped so many people like me? People who were afraid to go out,could’t cope up with life due to the chemical imbalance in their brain? Its my second month only on fluoxetine and I am feeling like I have never felt in perhaps over a decade. Alright my ears are ringing,dry mouth here and there and vivid dreams. But that’s pocket change compared to a life time spent battling intrusive thoughts.. Not that the fluoxetine are “happy pills” or “one pill cure”(I ain’t selling any if you are wondering),but we must realize that there are people who owe their life to this drug!

What are vivid dreams(kind of enjoy them) compared to hours of battling one’s own overactive mind before going to sleep? The needless anxiety that does everything but kills you at once? Sure ! Someone in X years back killed so many people while on Prozac, but where are the figures for the alcohol abuse deaths incurred on the expense of not seeking medical help? What about the lifetimes destroyed by crippling disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder and depression?
I just had a wish that a drug would take away most of my ocd, without hampering my life. And at least at the moment,flouxetine(Seronil) has done that! Years of alcohol abuse brought me more anxiety leading to a Binge drinking and eating habit throwing me into a vicious circle. After two months of diet and life style changes I finally accepted the idea of trying a drug. Which worked almost instantly for me. Could have been placebo at first but now I am feeling the difference. I am no longer close to breaking all the windows of my house. Not as cranky,I am calling up old friends,no longer avoiding people needlessly. No unnecessary/ocd induced shame and guilt. Or down by more then 90% at least. Not worrying about every little thing..
I mean I am discovering my personality beneath the shadow of ocd. And I am surprised it was always there,ocd was just a shadow. Although it is not as radically different as I imagine it to be,I would be implementing my personality and ideas in my life a lot differently in coming months. Target I set was 6 months. After six months I would talk to the doctor and talk about if I should carry on or go on a different med or something. I believe my life would be Insha Allah(God willing) much more stabler in six months. I only wish I had taken this drug in 1996 for the first time if not earlier. My life would be different today. I would probably be a doctor of medicine of a phd doctor by now. Who knows, I would have different friends,or at least different relationship with people. Ocd was really hard on my (now the whining starts) in the high school. In 8th and 9th grade. 10th grade was not easier either but I was doing better socially and had my own deviant friends,lol. By A levels ocd had gone more on the mental side. Or when I was alone. Because I was trying to shield it a dedicated Secret service agent would protect a president. Or a warrior would protect his queen. One of the reasons being I had no idea I have ocd. And could’t explain nor justify this behavior. Not to mention all the anxiety,and anxiety and fear coping up by it and brought by it. Then alcohol once or twice a week during college,not good for my ocd..lol Then all he dropping out and now trying to get m life back. And and finding an unexpected afterburner.. Fluoxetine.

I would’t deny,that perhaps,in the developed world especially. Anti depressants are over prescribed. And right/wrongly associated with suicide. Hey! Who am I to judge! But is it a secret that suicide rate is higher among users of anti depressants? I would strongly suggest if your doctor has prescribed it,use the drug exactly as prescribed. Read all labels and notes that come with it carefully. Do not self medicate with prescription medicine, alcohol or other illicit drugs (eg.Marijuana).
I know many people,actually I think most users of Marijuana would be better off on SSRIs then “weed”. Probably so would be the people with Alcohol abuse problem or bulimia beyond a certain level. I ain’t no expert,but this ain’t no rocket science either.

We are living in different times,we have different needs. I don not by any means under estimate the importance of a healthy life style. But increased mental disorders are perhaps a side effect of our times. We should deal with them accordingly.

I advocate a healthier lifestyle,if doctor has prescribed it. And it helps me achieve a healthier life style, I feel its a good idea.

As teenagers some of us seek refuge in rock music. Sometimes just for the heck of it, how silly of us to counter negativity with negativity(no offence to the rock music I loved,and still love). But I would advocate book reading and social work to my kids. Rather then smoking and listening to rock music as an undiagnosed ocd driven teenager myself. Smoking is a killer,it should be banned.. World would be better off with people substituting SSRI’s for smoking(a random thought). I mean the side effects..And “effects” of smoking are many hundred times worse then fluoxetine or any other SSRI! Hello!

Fifth day on anti depressant

Feeling good,vivid dreams and woke up 3-4 time for a little while but was easily able to go to sleep. Dry mought problem is going away but symptoms of ocd are coming back a little. A few moments back I found myself indulged in obsessions and small compulsions. And I did find myself repeating the ocd mantra a little. Its nowhere close to what it was 6 days back. Life is still very good..Very very good..For the record I don't expect Fluoxetine to take full effect before 4-6 weeks,and early effect before 15 days. 

But I am just writing how I feel. Placebo.. I thought so,but don't think so anymore. Still 90% plus of my obsessions and compulsions are gone..:) 

I am not afraid to write or say anything that would offend the magical thinking..

Alhamdulillah

All praise belong to Allah

Fourth day on anti depressant

Well,I feel great.. Most of the obsessions and compulsions that follow ..My most I mean 90%+ are gone. My mind is clear. I can think straight. And I feel normal again after years. I had always wondered what my personality would be without ocd. And well I have a view. I can now differentiate my real personality from ocd. And it came as a surprise to me,that except I am able to implement it more, the basic personality is the same. And I can do much more with my life and present it in a better way without obsessions on my mind.

I am arguing less based on compulsive talking thinking and obsessions. I am a much more pleasent person to be with:). Plus all that anxiety, With the grace of Allah,I am so much happier without it.

 I thank Allah almighty and pray Allah heals me,and helps me(Ameen).

Third day on anti depressant(Fluoxetine)

Third day, feeling better,wonder if it is placebo effect. Vivid dreams the whole whole night and dry mouth in the morning. Not beyond the limit where you start worrying about it or it bother you much. Hopefully the side effects would go away in a couple of weeks. And I hope I am able to get off medication by July next year..May Allah help me(Ameen).