Posted by Barbara on December 19, 1998, at 8:18:17
In reply to Re: Need opinion from Docs, posted by Matt on December 19, 1998, at 2:08:45
> Somewhere in Dr. Bob's psych. tips there is something about SSRIs causing apathy. I don't remember the heading of the bit, though.
> Matt
In addition to Dr. Bob's psych tips, there is a small but informative Q & A entitled "Paxil and the Blunted Affect" on the web at a site called "Ask the Expert."
THe doctor says the dull apatheitc feeling occurs after a period of week or months of successful treatment -- and goes on to describe ir as a "kind of frontal lobe syndrome, characterized by apathy, lack of emotional responsivity, and feeling flat or "blah." I dont think I was depressedat the point and depression is not what I was feeling -- just didnt really much care about anything -- except what I wanted to do -- it was a fairly awful thing for me as a legal professional because it touched on all parts of my life.Additionally I had significant memory loss.
He goes on to say.". . .that SSRISs indirectly reduce dopamine levels in some brain regions, perhaps the area of the brain concerned with reward and pleasure," And he says that these effects can sometimes be overcome by adding a dopminergic agent like Ritalin or Wellbutrin.
I had this response to Prozac -- it was disastrous because of the added effect the loss of dopamine had on the symptoms of ADHD. I went off the Prozac (gradually) and started on Wellbutrim augmented by Cytomel in addition to the Dexedrine 40 mg. spansules I take daily. I stopped the Prozac 4 months ago and although I feel much better, I am not back to my self yet. Sort of blah still. I used to be a hard charger -- I havent seen that person in a while and I miss her.
I have not been able to find very much on this topic on the web.
Good luck.
poster:Barbara
thread:1633
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19981201/msgs/1641.html