Posted by harryp on April 14, 2004, at 2:59:38
In reply to Zolft, Changed Personality, posted by JohnNov on April 12, 2004, at 13:26:36
Hello,
I can absolutely relate to what you're describing. I have experienced this personality effect from all the modern serotonergic drugs. Usually I would quit taking them, because although my depression is very bad, not "being me" or being able to feel emotions normally was even more horrible. In addition to many other people's anecdotes, I have heard from my psychiatrist that this is a well known side effect of the SSRI's.
After awful experiences with Remeron, Paxil, Effexor, and Lexapro, I was dangerously sick and considering hospitalization and ECT. My psychiatrist was very worried, and suggested trying a MAOI. I decided on Parnate, since it reportedly didn't cause weight gain or drowsiness. My doctor was obviously not comfortable prescribing it, but I was pretty desperate to try something new.
To conclude, my depression went into significant remission for the first time in years. Aside from slightly diminished sexual response, there are no mental or emotional side effects. I couldn't believe it.
I have read several professional books on psychopharmacology, and have become pretty discouraged. One text said that all the modern AD's have done is offer different (sometimes worse!) side-effects from their predecessors. There is considerable evidence that they are inferior to the tricyclics and MAOI's when it comes to actually treating severe depression. Several authors have hinted that the MAOI's are actually the best antidepressants known to man, but for liability reasons most doctors don't dare prescribe them.
I suggest you ask your doctor about trying a tricyclic. There are several available, and hopefully your doctor will have an opinion on which would be best. Taking a MAOI is serious business, but you should consider that too if your depression is severe and the TCA's don't work.
poster:harryp
thread:335566
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040412/msgs/336211.html