1. Sex, Love, and SSRIs

Comment #33298 by ninja on April 19, 2007 at 7:58 pm

Well Ninja is on Cipralex. I've been on it for seven months now. I lost the ability to orgasm (or it may have been the ability to enjoy orgasm) for about two months and then shortly after that, they become very enjoyable. Not better or worse, but a totally new experience. In general I feel much more affectionate, tolerant and trusting of people. People became much more interesting.

I had been in a downward journey that included depression, impatience, irritation, anger, rage, & paranoia. While I still have many issues with self-esteem and depression - I feel I am much more at peace with myself. Possibly for the first time in my life.

I started on 10mgs and went up to 15mg after about three months. These are quite low dosages. I also experimented with taking my dose at various times of the day to control a problem with getting tired.

If what is described in this article and comments are the long term affects of SSRIs - then maybe it's time for the party to end for me. I think I am fortunate in that my doctor has worked with me to ensure that I am in control of using the medication instead of it controlling me, so I am encouraged to evaluate and monitor my own progress and for negative affects. I also supplement the medication with talk therapy with a third party.

Perhaps I am an optimistic fool - but it has improved the quality of my life.

2. When the ain'ts go marching in

Comment #31839 by ninja on April 14, 2007 at 2:50 pm

The term humanist seems apologetic to me. Why do we feel we have to soften it for those who believe in God or are religious? This softening process or trying to win them over with assurances that we don't eat babies and set kittens on fire, troubles me deeply. I don't feel I should have to defend my ethics and morality just because I am an atheist. Being an atheist has absolutely nothing to do with my ethics or morality.

What else troubles me? I fear that the atheist or humanist movements will develop into religions in their own way. Let's get all the so called like minded people together and make them fund our atheist, humanist, or skeptic organizations. Sounds like just another potential for someone or some group of people to make money off of others who want to belong just as a similar aspect of religion does.

Like some religious people who feel that their faith is a deeply personal and private thing, my atheism is a deeply personal and private thing that does not need outside validation. I don't need to belong. Having said that, I admit: I love learning about others' faith or non-faith, sharing my own ideas about this, and enjoy skeptical pursuits of knowledge.