Posted by Maniz on December 1, 2000, at 15:27:37
In reply to Re: negative symptoms, posted by JohnL on December 1, 2000, at 5:25:22
editing john´s reply....
>
> Hi Maniz. How's it going?A bit "negative" haha :-)
>
> Negative symptoms are used to describe certain parts of schizophrenia, such as anhedonia (lack of pleasure in ordinary hobbies and activities), social withdrawal, apathy, emotional numbness. I think though that there is considerable overlap between this form of schizophrenia, depression, dysthymia, bipolar, social anxiety, etc.Yes, as far as I know I am not psychotic :-) but when I read those symptoms related to psychosis I get scared.
But you are right, those symptoms can be present (in different degrees and fashion) in social phobia or obsessive personalities.
> Though doctors attempt to draw clear boundaries between these different diagnosis, I don't see that that can realistically be done
You must be right, but how difficult it is to try not to "label" oneself. It seems if we could put a name to what happens to us we will be more secure, even if it is a bad condition.
> I think negative symptoms can easily be confused with certain kinds of depression. I'm not so sure there's any difference actually.
I think an important difference is if one is psychotic or a depressed neurotic.
> For these kinds of symptoms though, whatever someone wants to name them, I think noradrenaline and dopamine drugs have better odds of working than serotonin drugs. Generally speaking, this is how different neurotransmitters are hypothesized to affect mood:
> Serotonin-Overall wellbeing and calmness.
> Norepinephrine-Drive, energy, and motivation.
> Dopamine-Pleasure.
>
> Serotonin drugs for me work in a sense that they can make me undepressed. Yet even though I'm undepressed, I have no drive, no motivation, and no interest or pleasure in anything. Adrafinil which works on noradrenaline, and Amisulpride which works on dopamine, wipe out these symptoms almost completely.From what you say, I think I should try adrafinil. If only I can take a decision for once and put away the fears of side effects, dependency, etc.
Sometimes I feel like my brain is not well connected to my motor system (acethylcholine problem ?:-))
I may think "go clean and wash the dishes"...but after too much time I am still sitting or in bed...
How would you call this? I mean when you have difficulty with action (especially "social"), it it a negative symptom?.
Some years ago I used to be anxious but more active, now it seems like I wasted all that energy anxiety gives (well, I have some psychological reasons to feel sad) and can not feel it again, ordinary efforts feel as too much to cope with, like I am tired in advance (no, I am not lazy :-)).
If I did not get it wrong, according to your post, this could be Norepinephrine related and I should consider a drug acting on this area.
The psychotherapists I consulted all these years were reluctant (me too) about medication (maybe because i do not have a severe condition and for periods I function well) but I have come to a point where if I do not act things can get worse (I am work impaired, sort to say).
BTW: I am increasing the dose of SJW as you suggested. Although I do not expect much.
poster:Maniz
thread:49706
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/49765.html