Posted by Depressed in San Jose on August 31, 1998, at 15:17:31
In reply to antidepressants and cogntive ability, posted by Matt on June 14, 1998, at 0:55:40
> Is there any reason to think that the SSRI's or some of the newer antidepressants (in particular Serzone or Effexor) can interfere with one's ability to think abstractly and critically? I'm currently finishing my Ph.D. in the humanities, and I've been looking for a medication for my anxiety and depression. I'm about to try Serzone, and I've been on Prozac before. I know that unlike Prozac and the other SSRI's, Serzone binds to postsynaptic neuroreceptors. The fact that a drug binds to the presynaptic receptors concerns me in itself, but I'm even more concerned about the postsynaptic binding. Do I have to worry about Serzone (or any other antidepressant) affecting my ability to think as I need to be able to think to do high-level work in the humanities? How operative is Serzone (or other antidepressants) in the frontal cortex?
> Thank you,
> Matt
Hi Matt:I have recently started taking Serzone (about a week now)...My initial reaction is mostly physical (urinary
retention; diarrhea; insomnia). I have been on Prozac; Paxil; Zoloft and Welbutrin (liked Welbutrin the best
but it started to no longer be effective). The side effects of Serzone are very similar to
Imipramine (and I hated Imipramine because I felt "mentally foggy" on it).I had to tritate the Serzone (start with 25 mg/day to even be able to tolerate it. The normal dosage is 200 mg/day.
I tried 100 mg but had horrible side effects.As for mental acuity, I don't see it as helping much. I work in the legal field (where I have
to juggle a bunch of intellectual balls at one time) and I find myself not feeling so "sharp" on
the Serzone. Have you considered Welbutrin, augmented with 10mg or so of Ativan at night? That might
help you. Either way...on a scale of 1 to 10...I give Serzone (so far) a 4.Hope this helps.
D.I.S.J.
poster:Depressed in San Jose
thread:14
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19980901/msgs/472.html