I've been prescribed cymbalta to help treat a nerve pain disorder (RSD). I also suffer a bit from anxiety and depression, but thats not the main reason I'm taking it. Anyway, I was wondering how much permanent effect this has on one's personality.

I don't mind a temporary effect, in fact it might be helpful, but I'm not sure whether I want any permanent changes- I'm rather attached to my present personality, in spite of its flaws. Or rather, I prefer that any changes take place the *natural way*- I had been having some success ironing out those flaws before the latest calamity.

I especially don't want anything that will effect my creativity or deaden my emotions excessively. And I'm pretty sure that some of my positive and negative qualities are connected in ways I'm a little uneasy about messing with. For example, I'm pretty sure my obsessive tendencies are related to my anxiety, but also make me more creative and perfectionist. And my overly strong emotions and sensitivity bring me a lot of trouble, but they also bring me lots of good things and make me who I am.

So basically, I don't mind it having temporary effects, I just want to be able to turn it all off if I decide I don't like it


Anyway, thoughts?

So many of these anti-depressants and other meds used for off label purposes are so 'new' ....there really aren't many longterm researched results.
You bring up a very good question! I hope you get good feedback to this thread, as I've wondered this myself.....

As we age, our chemistry make-up, metabolism, hormones, etc do change even without meds, so in lieu of that I believe our personalities change slowly over time as we 'mature' and become more expierenced in handling situations life throws our way..... we can become 'bitter ol grouches' if we allow our hardships to take over......but medications certainly DO alter our dopamine receptors.......
We'll see what others have to say.....

For me I've found that it takes away the parts that I don't like and that others don't want to be around. I get teary eyed at the drop of a hat when not taking my ADs for the depression associated with MS. I hope the Cymbalta will help with your pain.

I've been on anti-depressants for most of my life, and NONE of them have "permanently" taken away any of my character traits, or affected my personality. I'm still the same "me" that I always was, only with the meds I'm not so depressed! Thank God for that! I've been on quite a few meds for depression thru the years, and I've also taken a "break" from them. I found I really shouldn't have done that, but at least I found out that I'm the same person i always was.

Hope that helps. Best of luck & God bless. Peace, Lee