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Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

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Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#141

Post by vettedvat »

iammisc wrote: post #123
FFRefresh wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder if there's a culture-wide bug/meme with regards to mental health (and beyond) that makes it hard to push for lifestyle changes at scale. I think one such meme is around agency, with the underlying meme being that humans have no control over their circumstances or mental state. They have anxiety or they have depression. It's part of their identity, and these seem to be thought of as immutable diseases. And…

You're absolutely right. This is an unpopular opinion, but I don't think anxiety or depression are mental illness. They are just feelings. Your feelings do not make you ill... People attribute it to a 'chemical' imbalance, but your brain being run by chemical fluctuations, everything is a 'chemical' balance, including this comment I'm typing right now. What we've done is taken these brain fluctuations, and labeled th…

You're describing situational depression. Very different than major depressive disorder or dysthymia for which these drugs are often prescribed. Common mistake.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#142

Post by ghostbrainalpha »

iammisc wrote: post #123
FFRefresh wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder if there's a culture-wide bug/meme with regards to mental health (and beyond) that makes it hard to push for lifestyle changes at scale. I think one such meme is around agency, with the underlying meme being that humans have no control over their circumstances or mental state. They have anxiety or they have depression. It's part of their identity, and these seem to be thought of as immutable diseases. And…

You're absolutely right. This is an unpopular opinion, but I don't think anxiety or depression are mental illness. They are just feelings. Your feelings do not make you ill... People attribute it to a 'chemical' imbalance, but your brain being run by chemical fluctuations, everything is a 'chemical' balance, including this comment I'm typing right now. What we've done is taken these brain fluctuations, and labeled th…

What are the traditional tools we can use to get ourselves out of depression? Exercise probably?

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#143

Post by lowercase1 »

cwkoss wrote: post #122
lost-found wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You ever look into ketamine for treating depression? Self medicated this past weekend and had some major breakthroughs with my long time depression/suicidal intrusive thoughts. Nice thing is you don’t have to stay on it unlike other antidepressants—I would never do a medication that you have to constantly take.

Ketamine can be pretty rough on the bladder and kidneys. Please read up on the risks. It is definitely dangerous to take recreational doses several times per week - it seems that low/moderate doses every week or two avoids most of the problems while still providing therapeutic effects, but definitely keep an eye on the health of those systems, ideally with letting your doctor know so they can help. Many of users on /…

Recreational doses are 10x-30x that of medical doses and those effects are quite a bit less at medical doses

https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/drug-users-use-a-lot-o...

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#144

Post by retrac »

FFRefresh wrote: post #118
n8cpdx wrote: post #113

As someone dating in their 20s, it is getting hard to find people who aren’t having SSRI-related dysfunction. Recently met an older (early 30s guy) and it was seriously cool having a sexual experience that didn’t end with “don’t bother I’m just not going to finish no matter how long we go.” They really seem to be handing out these serious, almost-impossible-to-withdraw medications like candy on Halloween. They don’t…

I do wonder if there's a culture-wide bug/meme with regards to mental health (and beyond) that makes it hard to push for lifestyle changes at scale. I think one such meme is around agency, with the underlying meme being that humans have no control over their circumstances or mental state. They have anxiety or they have depression. It's part of their identity, and these seem to be thought of as immutable diseases. And…

> And it's a social faux pas to suggest to someone with anxiety (particularly someone you are not super close with) that if they altered their behavior and consciously tried to work on their thought patterns, that they could get better.

We seem more attuned to emotional distress. And illnesses like anxiety present as acute distress, usually. We naturally want to assuage the person. And a person with anxiety naturally learns all sorts of avoidant coping mechanisms.

We seem to have entered some sort of negative feedback cycle there. Medications do help some, but it goes best with therapy, and the mainstay is basically exposure therapy. Face your fears, and struggle through something uncomfortable, until you learn to tolerate it. People should be gently nudged in that direction, not encouraged to lean into their withdrawal from the negative triggers.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#145

Post by voldacar »

hellojesus wrote: post #120
yosito wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sorry you feel that way. It sounds difficult. I believe there are many things that could help you find more pleasure in life and also find more fulfilling sex. I recommend searching for those things, and looking for people who can help you. But I'm actually commenting to point out that sex with a prostitute doesn't have to be risky, despite stereotypes. Most prostitutes are frequently tested for infectious diseas…

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. The problem I have concerning diseases and prostitutes is that, although many get tested often, almost all testing excludes hsv and hpv unless specifically requested. And since ~12% of the population carry hsv-2, which can shed asymptomatically and be contracted from skin-to-skin groinal contact, it seems that it's an eventuality if I pick up prostitution long term, and t…

For someone who wants to die constantly, you seem very concerned about taking good care of your body and health.

Not insulting you, I know how weird and contradictory humans can be. It's just interesting.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#146

Post by hellojesus »

voldacar wrote: post #145
hellojesus wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. The problem I have concerning diseases and prostitutes is that, although many get tested often, almost all testing excludes hsv and hpv unless specifically requested. And since ~12% of the population carry hsv-2, which can shed asymptomatically and be contracted from skin-to-skin groinal contact, it seems that it's an eventuality if I pick up prostitution long term, and t…

For someone who wants to die constantly, you seem very concerned about taking good care of your body and health. Not insulting you, I know how weird and contradictory humans can be. It's just interesting.

I know. It's ridiculous, and I hate it, but that's my mental state. I think I wrote it was counter intuitive in my initial post because, as you point out, it's as rational as pi.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#147

Post by sillysaurusx »

hellojesus wrote: post #106

I want to kill myself every second of every day, and it's been that way for 15ish years now. The only thing, fleeting as it may be, that I find worthy of doing in life is sex, and these ed side effects have kept me from exploring the potential for a world in which I don't to cease to exist or murder in the sake of nihilism. I'd rather destroy the lives of those around me or others' randomly than live without sex. It'…

I was in a similar position to you (minus the murder part). The only thing that pulled me out of it was Prozac. I wrote up my experiences here: https://twitter.com/theshawwn/status/1392213804684038150

I have sex on a regular basis, and it's not nearly as bad as these side effects make it sound. It's different, sure, but you can definitely have enjoyable sex.

You need to take antidepressants every single day for at least 30 days before you'll notice any effect whatsoever. Every day, without fail. If you haven't tried that yet, I urge you to; it was nothing short of miraculous, and there was no reason for me to live so many years in misery.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#148

Post by hellojesus »

elwell wrote: post #128
hellojesus wrote: post #106

I want to kill myself every second of every day, and it's been that way for 15ish years now. The only thing, fleeting as it may be, that I find worthy of doing in life is sex, and these ed side effects have kept me from exploring the potential for a world in which I don't to cease to exist or murder in the sake of nihilism. I'd rather destroy the lives of those around me or others' randomly than live without sex. It'…

Sorry to hear that. Do you think it's a function of your philosophical beliefs?

Which part?

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#149

Post by ghostbrainalpha »

hellojesus wrote: post #120
yosito wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sorry you feel that way. It sounds difficult. I believe there are many things that could help you find more pleasure in life and also find more fulfilling sex. I recommend searching for those things, and looking for people who can help you. But I'm actually commenting to point out that sex with a prostitute doesn't have to be risky, despite stereotypes. Most prostitutes are frequently tested for infectious diseas…

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. The problem I have concerning diseases and prostitutes is that, although many get tested often, almost all testing excludes hsv and hpv unless specifically requested. And since ~12% of the population carry hsv-2, which can shed asymptomatically and be contracted from skin-to-skin groinal contact, it seems that it's an eventuality if I pick up prostitution long term, and t…

I was where you are for about 10 years. Don't give up hope, it can end.

Also have you tried websites for "sugar babies" instead of an actual prostitute. Someone who is willing to get tested, and sleep with you regularly but doesn't have the same risk profile as a prostitute?

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#150

Post by iammisc »

ghostbrainalpha wrote: post #142
iammisc wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're absolutely right. This is an unpopular opinion, but I don't think anxiety or depression are mental illness. They are just feelings. Your feelings do not make you ill... People attribute it to a 'chemical' imbalance, but your brain being run by chemical fluctuations, everything is a 'chemical' balance, including this comment I'm typing right now. What we've done is taken these brain fluctuations, and labeled th…

What are the traditional tools we can use to get ourselves out of depression? Exercise probably?

Community, shared culture, shared religion. Exercise happens when you do those three things.
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