Books and Drugs

I've started reading the book "Your Drug May Be Your Problem" by Peter Breggin and David Cohen. I'm only on chapter 3, but what I've already read is shocking... and completely makes sense.

I mentioned in a previous post some issues I've been having lately. I've been wondering if a lot of what I'm going through has to do with the Mirtazapine I was on. Throughout the book, it has been said that most psychiatric drugs are actually only effective for 4-6 weeks total, becoming effective earlier than what most of the drugs say. Another thing it says is that the drug effects different people in different ways (you really have to read it yourself as it explains how the drugs work in the brain, how they affect the different synapses and chemical response triggers within, and that the drug is actually causing disruptions in the brain, rather than solving them). He describes it being similar to coffee. Some people can have one cup and be jittery all day, others can have 6-7 and not have any adverse effects. Some won't be able to sleep if they have even a few sips within hours of bedtime, while others can have a full cup a few hours before bed with no affect on sleep. It differs from person to person. I guess when it comes to antidepressants... I am one of those that can't handle one cup. I was on a very small dosage, only 7.5mg (vs the normal 'small dose' of 15mg) and I was affected immediately.

The pill I was on could be described as a 'tranquilizer' as it put me out so to speak when I needed to sleep. I was taking it solely for that purpose. Page 44 talks about 'creeping' effects. I got immediate effects of sleeping at night, but I was still tired. I was having problems doing anything after awhile, but didn't really notice. I didn't care about much, I was constantly tired, and I hardly even wanted to get up in the morning to take care of my little girl. That bothered me, but I thought it was because I was tired, due to not having much sleep lately.

After 4 weeks, I stopped taking the pills. I actually forgot to take a couple of days, and then remembered one night. It put me out for the night... and the next day or two as well. I found that I did not want to get up in the morning again, and almost didn't care that my daughter was beginning to get upset. I missed another two nights, and took another, with the same effects. So, I decided they were not good for me to continue.

Since I've been off the pills, I've been getting withdrawal symptoms. Insomnia was a big problem. I had other issues as well... weight gain, mood swings (these were not things the drug was supposed to address, but instead made worse when I went off of them due to my brain still trying to counter the drug, which was now no longer being taken). It made me more irritable, more prone to fits of anger/sadness/etc.

To be honest, I'm finally beginning to feel like myself again. I never realized how 'not myself' I have been for the past month or two. Really. I have had nothing but issues with everything. Lately I've actually started humming again. Humming. It's been a long time!

I'm looking forward to the rest of this book. It has already been eye opening for me. I'm looking forward to being myself again, to 'feeling' again. Yes, 'feeling'. I've had emotions during this time, but they've been weird. Just as my sleep has been weird. You know when you sleep and wake rested? I haven't had that for months. The pills 'knocked me out', but I didn't have a restful sleep. At all. I'm looking forward to finding out more.

And for those of you on any antidepressants (or who know someone on them), I suggest taking a look into this book. It really is interesting. Here are a few links to some reviews.

http://www.antipsychiatry.org/br-ydmby.htm
http://datacide.c8.com/peter-r-breggin-david-cohen-your-drug-may-be-your-problem-how-and-why-to-stop-taking-psychiatric-medications/

And thanks, Rhonda, for borrowing me this book!