Brad Wardell's views about technology, politics, religion, world affairs, and all sorts of politically incorrect topics.
Published on March 22, 2009 By Draginol In Health & Medicine

I’ve been on Celexa for about a year and a half.  Celexa is ostensibly prescribed for depression.  In my case, I have used Celexa to deal with my aggressiveness.  That is, I tend to lack the “flight” part of the flight or flight instinct even when it would make sense to do so.  Celexa doesn’t fix that as much as greatlyincrease the threshold of when the fight or fight instinct comes into play which is useful when running a company.

The effects have made others happy but I’m not sold on whether it’s been a good thing for me personally or not.  For one thing, I’m a lot less social than I used to be. And by a lot less social I mean I rarely visit friends or family anymore. Whatever spark that exists that makes us want to be connected to other people is subdued by Celexa. 

Those around me, however, are thankful I’m on it. I’m apparently a lot nicer now.  But the cost is that I don’t like people nearly as much as I used to.   It’s probably been good professionally for me.  In the old days, I would endlessly debate people online. Now,I don’t care as much. But it also makes me a lot less ambitious.

So do I recommend it? Yea, I guess I do.  In the bigger scheme of things, I’m probably a lot better for people to be around. But I also think I’ll probably be a lot less social, but thanks to Celexa, I’m not really bothered by that.


Comments
on Mar 22, 2009

Brad,

 

I am also on an SSRI and have similar side effects.  Basically I tend suffer from OCD and while random things still pop up in my mind that I should obsess about (like looking over source code for something way too many times), i also care less about the object of my obsession now so I just let it go.

 

I think this is a common effect of all SSRIs.  It sounds kind of like an effect of the SSRI you are taking.

on Mar 23, 2009

Do yourself a big favor and throw thats stuff in the garbage.

on Mar 27, 2009

Do yourself a big favor and throw thats stuff in the garbage.

Shut your mouth and mind your own business!!  You have no idea what you're saying.

*In case you don't know, I'm his wife.

on Mar 29, 2009

I went and found your last post about this, just thought it might be interesting again.

on Mar 29, 2009

Shut your mouth!!! is always good approach to stimulating healthy and vibrant debates. 

on Mar 29, 2009

Yea, it's right up there with "Do yourself a big favor and throw thats stuff in the garbage."

on Mar 29, 2009

Frogboy


Yea, it's right up there with "Do yourself a big favor and throw thats stuff in the garbage."

Hmmm,Its a bold admission on a touchy subject, so I guess that would explain a;; the hostility, but I don't think psyciatric medicines are either safe or effective. While my initial 'throw it in the garbage' commentary may not have been all that constructive, it  still wasn't posted with any kind of malice. Its simply what I would do if someone tried to give it to me. Take care and I hope yall feel better.

on Apr 16, 2009

I would recommend Aikido. Mainly because I've been doing it for 9 years and it's helped me greatly to regain emotional balance.

In a way it's like an anti-depressant, only your body never gets immune to it, you don't get any side-effects, and it keeps you healthy as you age.

It also prevents/reverses carpal-tunnel syndrome and arthritic symptoms.

This is the site that got me into it in the year 2000: http://www.aikidofaq.com/

on Apr 21, 2009

Shut your mouth!!! is always good approach to stimulating healthy and vibrant debates.

thought I was making it clear that it shouldn't be debated.  I've been living the before and after so I feel I have the right to speak the loudest.  I wouldn't ever want my husband to take anything that was bad for him.  This has been good for all involved.  Others certainly can have their opinion about the matter but theirs isn't as important as mine.  I'm the woman behind the man.

Shihonage, no offense, but recommending martial arts as a treatment for depressive disorders clearly shows that you aren't familiar with depressive disorders.  I'm sure Aikido is great and can help balance both physically and emotionally but there are chemical imbalances that can't be controlled in that manner.

on Apr 21, 2009

Shihonage, no offense, but recommending martial arts as a treatment for depressive disorders clearly shows that you aren't familiar with depressive disorders.

Actually, that isn't entirely true.  Psychiatrists (not family Drs.) typically prescribe some form of physical activity to patients.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043   If you look at depressed people, you typically don't find many who work out all the time. 

I agree that there are definitely conditions that need medications, but mild depression (actual depression, not some other form of chemical imbalance) is treated with exercise quite a lot, and moderate to severe is typically treated with meds + exercise.

Didn't you ever see Legally Blonde?  "Exercise gives you endorphins--endorphins make people happy and happy people just don't shoot their husbands... they just don't."  LOL

on Apr 21, 2009

Didn't you ever see Legally Blonde? "Exercise gives you endorphins--endorphins make people happy and happy people just don't shoot their husbands... they just don't." LOL
Why is it that I heardv Kristen, not Elle when I read that? 

on Apr 27, 2009

Why is it that I heardv Kristen, not Elle when I read that?

LOL

 

on Apr 29, 2009

JillUser: I'm well aware of existence of chemical imbalances, as I've been very close to people with severe Bipolar Disorder. I've seen the worst of it. The tragedy. Overuse of drugs, self-medication, self-sabotage, self-mutilation, alienation of friends, one's entire life degraded to a black hole of NEED, life purpose and potential flatlined forever.

 

I learned to sense such people at the distance. I don't care if he throws a chair at you from time to time. Your husband simply does not have a disorder remotely approaching it in severity.

Why Aikido ? Aikido is not just a physical activity, like running. It's not about "runner's high". It's not just any martial art. It is referred to as an "art of peace". It is a set of engaging movements that deprogram aggression on subconscious level. It is the closest to a physical manifestation of "exorcising one's demons" that I've ever experienced, and it never fails to be a great stabilizer, not to mention, of course, nice cardio and most importantly FUN.

When I was clinically depressed 10 years ago I went to a psychiatrist who strongly pushed for anti-depressants, how they're "harmless" and how I could have a "much better life". I refused vehemently, and started Aikido instead. I got myself out, over the years, and attribute 75% of it to Aikido.

If I wasn't taking Aikido now, I would be a much angrier person. Also, as a creative person, I am quickly bored with repetitive movement, and Aikido always offers something new, a visible way to get better at it and sense your progress. A real life "level up" if you will. Which is why I think it is a perfect fit for Mr. Wardell.


Speaking of Mr. Wardell, I find it odd that you take it upon yourself to filter inquiries addressed toward him. Let him make up his own mind, as "imbalanced" as he may be.