Posted by SLS on March 18, 2010, at 1:01:21
In reply to Chronic, excruciating boredom not caused by meds?, posted by Economist on March 18, 2010, at 0:04:29
> Anyone experience pure chronic boredom (without accompanying feelings of sadness) and lack of interest that persists throughout the day no matter what you do? I don't mean apathy caused by SSRIs, antipsychotics, or other medications.
>
> I imagine this has something to do with low dopamine levels, which I am currently trying to treat with EMSAM/selegiline.
>
> I have been bored since 2008. It is a chronic boredom not caused by medications since I was off all medication for the entire year of 2009.
>
> Has anyone treated this with medication?
I think your suspicion that a DA deficit anhedonia might be a fundamental contributor to your boredom may be accurate. I think boredom may occur when there is a lack of interest and reward while adequate amounts of mental energy exist. I don't know if any studies have focused on this issue. You may be suffering a low-grade depression or are responding only partially to antidepressant treatment. For me, the emergence of boredom is a good sign that the depression is lifting. I am normally too anergic to desire activity. As my mental energy begins to return, I no longer want to do nothing. However, there is nothing that I want to do. There remains a lack of interest with no anticipation of reward.I don't know that ignoring serotonin is the way to tackle boredom. Effexor and Lexapro can help increase interest. Their effects on DA activity may be indirect. It will be interesting to see how you respond to selegiline.
How do you respond to Prozac? Perhaps you should look for a drug that serves to block 5-HT2a/c receptors. Geodon might be interesting to look at. Also, a combination of Abilify and agomelatine.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:939885
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100305/msgs/939894.html