I'm a huge fan of Cognitive Psychology, but most cognitive therapy consists largely of 'pretend like you're happy, and you eventually will be'. At the risk of being a smarmy, self-righteous asshole, let me state here that my problems with this aren't about it's effectiveness, but what it says about humans in general. It means all that crap we're spoonfed from day one about 'don't worry, be happy' is absolutely true, from a neurochemical perspective. It peeks at the concept that smiling models on advertising make us feel better while our troops are killing people. This makes me want medication (joke).

Uh, maybe I shouldn't talk about this here. Sorry. Cognitve therapy seems as effective as most types of therapy, with the exception of psychoanalysis (which scores poorly indeed). You can take comfort in the fact that studies in cognition appear to be the most relevent and scientifically valid school on the subject to date. I have no doubt that in 20 years time, they will have a pill that will perfectly stimulate the flavor of a PBJ sandwich, and another one that will have us buzzing like smiling bees at our jobs, happy and productive.

rayj wrote:I'm a huge fan of Cognitive Psychology, but most cognitive therapy consists largely of 'pretend like you're happy, and you eventually will be'. At the risk of being a smarmy, self-righteous asshole, let me state here that my problems with this aren't about it's effectiveness, but what it says about humans in general. It means all that crap we're spoonfed from day one about 'don't worry, be happy' is absolutely true, from a neurochemical perspective. It peeks at the concept that smiling models on advertising make us feel better while our troops are killing people. This makes me want medication (joke).

Uh, maybe I shouldn't talk about this here. Sorry. Cognitve therapy seems as effective as most types of therapy, with the exception of psychoanalysis (which scores poorly indeed). You can take comfort in the fact that studies in cognition appear to be the most relevent and scientifically valid school on the subject to date. I have no doubt that in 20 years time, they will have a pill that will perfectly stimulate the flavor of a PBJ sandwich, and another one that will have us buzzing like smiling bees at our jobs, happy and productive.

You've a point. I think it might come down to the individual patient. I'm sure there's been some discussion like this within and between the various schools of psychology, but I don't know about that. Insofar as "pretend like you're happy, and you will be"... When I read that I immediately thought of behavioral therapy. You know, start instituting good habits, and eventually, that's what you become. Problem with that is that if you over-think things or are just debilitatingly self-aware (me) behaviorists don't really address that. All they can really tell you to do is to do something that distracts you from the actual problem itself: Thinking about shittiness.

Ok, so my anxiety/panic attacks have led me to the doctors.
Lack of insurance had stopped me in the past.
These past couple of months have been almost unbearable.
So i broke down and went for the happy pills.

I have just started taking Effexor XR (sounds like a bad eighties digital distortion pedal). Doctor and the box say it takes about three weeks for it start working. I know this much, the Xanax that a friend of mine gave me last week helped me out. Not in a "wooh, i am drugs" way. it just chilled my weird little mind out. The doctor also prescribed something like Xanax
along with the Effexor.

The thing that scares me is that i feel there is a chance it might change my personality. Not that the guy i am could use some tuning up
(i'm a cantankerous old coot) I am just worried a little bit.


Has anyone taken this? or is currently taking this silver bullet (i kid) for my insanity?


cheers.

theglynnisjohns

glynnisjohns wrote:
The thing that scares me is that i feel there is a chance it might change my personality. Not that the guy i am could use some tuning up
(i'm a cantankerous old coot) I am just worried a little bit.

It will definately not change your personality. All it will do (if it works) is clear your head. It's that simple.

glynnisjohns wrote:I have just started taking Effexor XR (sounds like a bad eighties digital distortion pedal). Doctor and the box say it takes about three weeks for it start working. I know this much, the Xanax that a friend of mine gave me last week helped me out. Not in a "wooh, i am drugs" way. it just chilled my weird little mind out. The doctor also prescribed something like Xanax along with the Effexor.

The thing that scares me is that i feel there is a chance it might change my personality. Not that the guy i am could use some tuning up
(i'm a cantankerous old coot) I am just worried a little bit.

Different drugs work differently on different people. Effexor might rock your world. Give it a month or so. If a side-effect pops up that you can't live with, or if it out weighs the benefit, see your doctor about changing things up.

There is the problem of "changing your personality." If by not being such an anxious depressive changed personality, then maybe this is good. I'll tone down the smartassing: I know what you mean, and it's your call. If it's too much of a change, then get with the doc and back down the dose, or work something out. Me, I'd say that if you're depressed, took a pill, and became a walking smiley face, numb to the things needful stresses of desiring to get A's, treat your people right, do well at work, then you'd never get to what actually is the cause of the problem. You'd just be masking the symptoms, which is desireable in a day-to-day, get things done kinda way, but it wouldn't work for me because I'd know.

Be patient (Puns: NC), and you'll know if things are working in a way you like or can't live with soon enough. It may take time, but if you get it ironed out, you'll be glad when you did.

As far as personality goes, well, changing the color of pants you typically wear will probably change your personality a little. As will changes in diet, sleeping habits, sexual activity, TV viewing, etc. Maybe not as much as a steady diet of valium, but...well, what is this personality thing, anyway? Right?

i have taken effexor for anxiety/panic attacks. it was a huge help. the first few days it seemed to up my anxiety and make me grind my teeth. after that i guess it took a few weeks to start working.

i did not notice any real change in my personality.

i did gain weight so you will want to watch what you eat and maybe up the exercise.

goos luck.

elisha

Anxiety attacks SUCK. Being medicated vrs. having panic attacks...not crap. I wouldn't rule out consulting a 'reputable' naturopathic/holistic physician, though...the good ones (one in a hundred) can often prescribe some herbals that are suprisingly effective.

I'm on Lexapro like someone else upthread.

It's changed my personality and made me a bit more scatter brained, it's harder for me to fully develop a thought, but I'm happier. I'm more willing to take chances and I'm more interested in living life. I can talk to people. I've pretty much stopped caring about how I'm perceived.

My writing and music has suffered a bit since I drew all my creativity from a dark place. I notice that I'm more likely to take things at face value now. But I'm willing to make the tradeoff. I go off it for a couple weeks every now and then for a dose of reality.

I guess that's the real question- are you so miserable that it's worth it to cheat and take a happy pill? Can you justify it to yourself or are you going to feel like your living a plastic life because you're willfully numbing your own thoughts?

The only thing that really bothers me is that I know A LOT of people on SSRIs. More than half of our country's children have ADD. Are we all just a bunch of snivelling bitches these days or is there a real push (from who? for what reason?) to zombify us all?

I get depression all the time, but I long ago realized how uselessly selfish it makes me (or anyone else) act, and now I just keep it to myself and tough it out like it's a cold or flu. I feel like it passes faster if I just hang out alone at home and read or do something that numbs my brain (TV, computer games, clean the house, etc.). And I try not to drink alcohol.

So, yeah, doing all of that and looking at depression as just a "phase" that pops in and out like any other common but innocuous illness does the trick for me.

Oh, and I don't touch any prescription drugs. I don't know if that shit really works, but I don't like the idea of screwing around with your chemistry. Takes the soul out of you, I bet.