Posted by yxibow on December 6, 2007, at 0:09:44
In reply to Olanzapine 'side effects', posted by Babak on December 5, 2007, at 10:10:34
> I have been taking Olanzapine for the last three years. It worked wonders initially but most of its beneficial effects stopped within three months. Now it only helps me sleep better with fewer dreams.
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> However I am concerned about certain changes in my personality over the last three years.
>
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> I would be interested in any relevant information with regards to use of Olanzapine and other drugs of the same class. If any one knows of any article or web site discussing the issue I would be grateful for directions.
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> I heard some comments in a documentary on TV which has made me very concerned.
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> I suppose being antipsychotic they are supposed to cause personality changes. But are these changes reversible?
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> I feel emotionally removed and I don't seem to be able to reason with myself any longer. I have grown extremely lethargic and have lost all spontaneity and am somewhat less communicative.
> Are there others out there who can relate to my comments?
>Its called blunting, a common effect of antipsychotics. Unfortunately, it usually does not resolve by itself, its the choice of better being psychotic or extremely anxious or whatever reason you took it, or putting up with the effects knowing that there are stronger atypicals out there you might not want to be on. But then again, you could always try something like Geodon if you really wanted to.
It basically fits blunting to a tee -- SSRIs also do so but much less, the emotionally removed can happen as a result so -- delayed reactions to emotional events.
I'm not sure what you saw on TV, but this is a normal phenomenon, believe me.
poster:yxibow
thread:798912
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071204/msgs/799039.html