State of Denial

No. I'm not talking about Texas.

That wonderfully eccentric bundle of lovable joy who calls herself Lulu gave me Bob Woodward's State of Denial while I was up in Tacoma recently. I didn't think I'd find it all that interesting. I was wrong.

If you want a shocking look at what brought about the Iraq fiasco, read this book. If you're the sort who doesn't want to know how hot dogs get made you probably will be equally squeamish to know how policy gets made with George W. at command. But it isn't George who comes out of the book looking all that bad. It's some of those who served him, worst being Donald Rumsfeld.

It's like the events of 9/11 were so shocking to those in command that rational thought went on hiatus and some sort of post-traumatic stress depression took over that tainted the decision making process. Almost like some form of mental illness, so much rationalizing, so much wishful, almost magical thinking.

I've had reason to think of late about mental illness and depression, why people get depressed, how they handle it, how those suffering from inner conflicts have troubles at times maintaining an even, rational keel.

I wonder if any of the people currently in the White House are on any psychotropic meds. I hope not, but I suspect there are at least one or two Wellbutrin/Lexapro poppers.

I was curious about side effects of Wellbutrin and Lexapro. I wasn't too shocked to learn there is evidence of several neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Wellbutrin in patients with depression---including delusions, hallucinations, psychosis, concentration disturbance, paranoia, and confusion.

Lexapro is also sort of scary. Lexapro discontinuation, particularly abruptly, may cause certain withdrawal symptoms such as "electric shock" sensations (also known as "brain shivers" or "brain zaps"), dizziness and irritability. As with many other medications, you should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while being treated with Lexapro.

Lexapro has a long list of side effects, like...

Arthritis - Painfully inflamed and swollen joints. The reddened and swollen condition is brought on by a serious injury or shock to the body either from physical or emotional causes.

Hepatic Enzymes Increased - An increase in the amount of paired liver proteins that regulate liver processes causing a condition where the liver functions abnormally.

Hyperglycemia - An unhealthy amount of sugar in the blood.

Increased Weight - A concentration and storage of fat in the body accumulating over a period of time caused by unhealthy eating patterns, that can predispose the body to many disorders and diseases.

Hypercholesterolemia - Too much cholesterol in the blood cells.

Back Discomfort - Severe physical distress in the area from the neck to the pelvis along the backbone.

Jaw Pain - The pain due to irritation and swelling of the nerves associated with the mouth area where it opens and closes just in front of the ear. Some of the symptoms are pain when chewing, head aches, losing your balance, stuffy ears or ringing in the ears, and teeth grinding.

Jaw Stiffness - The result of squeezing and grinding the teeth while asleep that can cause your teeth to deteriorate as well as the muscles and joints of the jaw.

Muscle Cramp - When muscles contract uncontrollably without warning and do not relax. The muscles of any of the body’s organs can cramp.

Thirst - A strong, unnatural craving for moisture/water in the mouth and throat.

Restless Legs - A need to move the legs without any apparent reason. Sometimes there is pain, twitching, jerking, cramping, burning, or a creepy-crawly sensation associated with the movements. It worsens when a person is inactive and can interrupt one’s sleep so one feels the need to move to gain some relief.

Shaking - Uncontrolled quivering and trembling as if one is cold and chilled.

Aggravated Nervousness - A progressively worsening, irritated and troubled state of mind.

Agitation - Suddenly violent and forceful, emotionally disturbed state of mind.

Apathy - Complete lack of concern or interest for things that ordinarily would be regarded as important or would normally cause concern.

Carbohydrate Craving - A drive and craving to eat foods rich in sugar and starches (sweets, snacks and junk foods) that intensifies as the diet becomes more and more unbalanced due to the unbalancing of the proper nutritional requirements of the body.

Confusion - Not able to think clearly and understand in order to make a logical decision.

Forgetfulness - Unable to remember what one ordinarily would remember.

Irritability - Abnormally annoyed in response to a stimulus.

Restlessness Aggravated - A constantly worsening troubled state of mind characterized by the person being increasingly nervous, unable to relax, and easily angered.

Tremulousness Nervous - Very jumpy, shaky, and uneasy while feeling fearful and timid. The condition is characterized by thoughts of dreading the future, involuntary quivering, trembling, and feeling distressed and suddenly upset.

Yawning - involuntary opening of the mouth with deep inhalation of air.

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Okay, I don't need to list anymore bad Lexapro things, I'm almost convinced Donald Rumsfeld was being medicated by psychotropics. It explains so much. That last one on the list is disturbing. Was someone slipping Lexapro in my water when I was up north? Because I was constantly yawning. I never yawn. Or hadn't til my month in Tacoma. I've not yawned once since I've been back in Texas.