What happens to things I "think" I've already deal

Since I've been on Paxil, (over a year) I've had some pretty major changes happen in my life and to be completely honest, I was surprised at how well I've handled them. Like, when my grandfather died, or when my long term relationship broke apart, or when I moved, alone, half way across the country for a job. To not have a major reaction to these things is not my personality. So I was pretty proud of myself for "being strong".

What happens to my emotions about these things (even tho they are in the not so distant past) after I get completely off Paxil? If, in fact, the Paxil kept me from feeling all the emotions I should have, then do I have a rush of negative emotions to look forward to??

Maybe I just WAS handling things in a positive healthy way. But after reading some of the things people have said here about feeling numb, I'm kind of scared that I was experienceing some of that numbness and that I'm headed for a rough landing.

[genevieve]

One of the trick with paxil that I have experienced myself is that it "freeze" your emotions. OK, doctors are going to tell you it "regulates" your emotions to a more normal level, but let's not fool ourselves : we are a little "zombified" on paxil!

And the problem is, when you dont feel anxious/depressed and function well, you dont FEEL the need to work on yourself.

Here is a little bit of my story:
I was put on paxil for panic attacks and agoraphobia. On paxil, it was wonderful, I had almost no panic attacks and could go almost everywhere (I took the plane alone to toronto -that was the day I though I was completly recovered). I did not work on myself a lot since I though I had no problem (I was the best in my class, I had a happy social life, I was studiing, working, everything was perfect ON THE OUTSIDE). In fact, I was crippled with bad emotions but I COULD NOT FEEL THEM BECAUSE OF THE PAXIL. One day I stopped paxil. 6 months later, I could not even get out of the house... what had happen to the perfect me?????? It is simple. Since I had never LEARNED to live with panic attacks I was really scared of them. The reason I was so functionnal before was not because I had progress in any way. It was only because I could not FEEL emotions. For the last 3 months I have learned to live with anxiety/depression. And maybe I can not take the plane to toronto right now, but I know that EVERY THING THAT I CAN DO NOW AND COULD NOT DO BEFORE IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE PAXIL BUT BECAUSE OF ME.

I am not saying you are going to be a total mess if you stop paxil but :
-be prepared to take a step back : you will have to work a lot to have the same confidence and to be as functionnal without paxil
and
-be sure to work on your problems (anxiety, depression or whatever it is) BEFORE you stop the drug because at that moment your old problems are going to come back PLUS (if you are not lucky) the funny withdrawal...

[safarigal]

Why be afraid of the emotion?

I've been off Paxil for 1 1/2 yrs. Its wonderful to feel emotions again. I welcome depression, anxiety, happiness, bliss and every emotion that comes into my life.

My husband died while I was on Paxil. Yes I did some more grieving after I was off Paxil and that was ok because I was ready to handle it.

If you are afraid of emotions, then you'll need to do lots of work on yourself before you get off Paxil.

My sister and father-in-law died within weeks of one another when I was on paxil. I was like a zombie and didn't really cry. I think the drug just papers over the cracks temporarily. When I came off I did feel a rush of emotions: anger, fear, happiness and I did do some more greiving. But things are more settled now. So yes be prepared for a bit of a roller coaster of emotions that have been damed up. But use this site and us for support when the time comes.

Love Michele

[Elvira74]

Personally I haven't felt "numb" on anti-depressants. I just don't overreact to things. (but who's to say what an overreaction is?)

I guess it would be impossible to tell if emotions that were there all along were "coming out", or if your seritonin levels were unbalanced by the withdrawal of Paxil from your body.

When I went through withdrawal I felt sadness and anger over all sorts of trivial things. It seemed real at the time, but now I'm sure it was due to being mentally unstable from withdrawing Paxil too quickly.

[Elvira74]

Personally I haven't felt "numb" on anti-depressants. I just don't overreact to things. (but who's to say what an overreaction is?)

I guess it would be impossible to tell if emotions that were there all along were "coming out", or if your seritonin levels were unbalanced by the withdrawal of Paxil from your body.

When I went through withdrawal I felt sadness and anger over all sorts of trivial things. It seemed real at the time, but now I'm sure it was due to being mentally unstable from withdrawing Paxil too quickly.