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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6 to 30 of 37. Go back in thread:
Posted by Ritch on June 17, 2002, at 12:05:40
In reply to Now that I'm not on SSRI I feel like an open wound, posted by ST on June 17, 2002, at 2:42:16
> Hi,
>
> Do SSRIs or ADs keep us from feeling?
>
> For anyone not familiar with my posts, let me say that meds have saved my life. I'm a bipolar II and I would have killed myself due to my depression if not for them. But now I'm a bit confused. Here goes: I was on Depakote and Wellbutrin for about two years. It kept me stable, but I was still incredibly, deeply depressed. So an SSRI was added to the mix - Serzone. This lifted me and my life became "liveable" again. I then switched to two more SSRIS : first Celexa and then Effexor. Due to side effects, I am now off Effexor and back to only the Wellbutrin/Depakote combo. My doctor thinks I should see how this old combo goes for a while and perhaps not get back on another SSRI. I'd like to keep away from an SSRI since it killed my sex life.
>
> This is what I'm experiencing:
> I feel like an open wound. My moods and emotions are so mercurial, I can't keep track of them. *Everything* affects me, but magnified by about ten times! If I get angry, I get really angry and stay that way for a while....if I'm upset or sad, I can't shake it. I think I remember being like this before an SSRI was added to my meds....
> It's as if I've had a band aid on for 5 years and now I'm exposed. With an SSRI in my system, I let things roll off my back so much more easily! I'm so confused. I like this, to a certain degree. My sex life has returned, I really *feel* things now and I seem quicker and my mind is sharper. But everything affects me so profoundly. Could it be that things are heightened because I'm still getting the Effexor out of my system (I weaned slowly over three months and took my last dose about a month ago)? Or is it that SSRIs or ADs in general are like a wet blanket on some people's emotions? Or a crutch that substitutes for basic coping skills? I know I need a mood stabilizer and some kind of AD. I've always regarded meds as life saving help that can actually help bring back your "old self" ...But do ADS keep you from feeling?
>
> Thanks for listening,
> Sarah
I think the serotonergic meds don't necessarily "keep you from feeling". You have to think about what sorts of thoughts you are having that goes with those "feelings". What the SSRi's seem to do (for me anyway), is to stop *obsessing* about trifling stuff. I think what the SSRI's do for most is quell the obsessional angst that often accompanies bipolar or unipolar depression. They are more of an anxiolytic to me than an antidepressant. Sometimes I think that AD dosages are just way too high for many bipolars. Standard AD dosages make me purely miserable. But, I can't seem to "get away" from a tiny dose of an SSRI (or Effexor). Lithium is fairly serotonergic. You might try adding some on to your Depakote and see if the Wellbutrin-induced (IMO-possibly)hyper-reactivity chills out (so you don't need an SSRi).hope this helps,
Mitch
Posted by rainbowlight on June 17, 2002, at 23:18:22
In reply to Now that I'm not on SSRI I feel like an open wound, posted by ST on June 17, 2002, at 2:42:16
Hi Sarah. I am experiencing the exact same thing. I recently stopped an SSRI that was helping me "deal" with the pain of life and it felt exactly as you describe, like reopening an old wound. Personally, after years and years of taking these types of meds I do believe they make you emotionally "numb" to a point. At this particular time in my life the emotional pain is too much and I prefer to feel numb. I am not saying I am emotionless but the level of emotion is much less, whether happy or sad. I do wish I could keep the happy parts, but like the others have said the pain is just too deep. I just went through trials of Effexor and Wellbutrin, they were both horrible for me. By far I have found the best AD to eleviate my pain is Zoloft. I hope you find the right meds soon and are feeling better. Good luck.
Posted by jay on June 18, 2002, at 0:11:23
In reply to Re: Now that I'm not on SSRI I feel like an open wound, posted by rainbowlight on June 17, 2002, at 23:18:22
Rainbowlight:
I found that adding Depakote at a smaller than usual dose to an SSRI can smooth things out a bit better. All the other anticonvulsants where just crud to me. I found it particularly helpful when I was taking Zoloft.
Best wishes...
Jay
> Hi Sarah. I am experiencing the exact same thing. I recently stopped an SSRI that was helping me "deal" with the pain of life and it felt exactly as you describe, like reopening an old wound. Personally, after years and years of taking these types of meds I do believe they make you emotionally "numb" to a point. At this particular time in my life the emotional pain is too much and I prefer to feel numb. I am not saying I am emotionless but the level of emotion is much less, whether happy or sad. I do wish I could keep the happy parts, but like the others have said the pain is just too deep. I just went through trials of Effexor and Wellbutrin, they were both horrible for me. By far I have found the best AD to eleviate my pain is Zoloft. I hope you find the right meds soon and are feeling better. Good luck.
Posted by tabitha on June 18, 2002, at 3:59:06
In reply to Now that I'm not on SSRI I feel like an open wound, posted by ST on June 17, 2002, at 2:42:16
This article is long but really interesting. Much of it rings true for me.http://ourworld.cs.com/ssobo2/myhomepage/index.html
I found the link on the Depression Central site.
-tabitha
Posted by homewood on June 18, 2002, at 6:34:50
In reply to Great article on SSRIs and emotional blunting, posted by tabitha on June 18, 2002, at 3:59:06
tabitha-
thanks for the great link. i've been on zoloft since the end of march and have often wondered if what i know feel (or more correctly, don't feel) is the "real me" or the "medicated me".
Posted by Ritch on June 18, 2002, at 13:36:08
In reply to Great article on SSRIs and emotional blunting, posted by tabitha on June 18, 2002, at 3:59:06
>
> This article is long but really interesting. Much of it rings true for me.
>
> http://ourworld.cs.com/ssobo2/myhomepage/index.html
>
> I found the link on the Depression Central site.
>
> -tabithaFantastic article. He really spelled out a big controversy. I think he may be right that we are casually overmedicating some folks that really are not going to benefit from it that much. However..I still feel the basis for mental illness is *primarily* biological. I just think all of the blather about serotonin and synapses, etc. is simply people providing some form of explanation. Humans LOVE explanations. What are drug makers and researchers supposed to say?-- "Uh, here is some medicine that we have developed and we gave it to a bunch of people and there was a statistically significant improvement, but we aren't sure how it works-we are not even going to *try* to guess, so just take it because it works". Well, most people are going to be curious and want to try to understand how it works, and we *need* to have "categories" for the problems the medicines address. Well, maybe there *are* too many disorders? However, what I hear the guy saying in the article is we should all go to shrinks more frequently and do *therapy* with the shrink, limit using pharmaceuticals as much as possible, allow only shrinks to prescribe psych meds, and make the insurance companies pay for it. Sounds great if we all could afford that. What about making it easier (fewer unnecessary barriers) and cheaper to become a pdoc (by restructuring academia to provide necessary psychology and pharmacology training), pay pdocs less, and do exactly as he says? Then we would have more pdocs around doing more therapy for more people and we wouldn't be overmedicating. Somehow I doubt if that was what he was thinking about...
Mitch
Posted by rainbowlight on June 18, 2002, at 18:18:21
In reply to Re: Great article on SSRIs and emotional blunting, posted by homewood on June 18, 2002, at 6:34:50
I had this discussion with my therapist today. I described to him how I had been to years of therapy and read just about every psychological self help book ever written and that I still did not have any better "coping" skills than I began with. The same issues in life STILL overwhelm me, the same dysfunctional family members are STILL able to get under my skin, and I have tried every "mental" trick in the book to work past these issues to no avail. I told him I need the meds to feel "numb", honestly, it's the only way I can cope and that I can allow things to roll off my shoulders that would normally pull me down. He says that is common and that to some point I will always have to be on some sort of med to be able to cope, seeing as my lack of coping skills are biological in nature. It sure is a depressing thought. Shouldn't they just tell you at the therapists door "sorry, there is nothing I can do for you, find the right meds, LOL!" Just kidding, but it is true to a point huh? I always feel that no matter how hard I try in life I am always going in circles and coming back to square one. Feels like I never make any progress. Soooooooo frustrating!
Posted by jay on June 19, 2002, at 2:10:34
In reply to Great article on SSRIs and emotional blunting, posted by tabitha on June 18, 2002, at 3:59:06
After my 7-8 years on mostly Effexor, and now being 'sober' from it for almost a month, I see every single point in this article. The 'who cares' attitude being the strongest, and was deeply harmful regarding my quality of life.I neglected a number of very important things on Effexor, things I used to always be very vigilant about. I didn't complete my taxes for three years; I have neglected getting dental care, and am just now making an appointment for a large number of cavities that I *new* I had years ago; I hated going out, shopping, with friends, as I just had no inclination to these things; I stopped dating, and only now am 'in the mood' again; I neglected to pay bills I did have the money for; I lost interest in 'bothering' with family members during birthdays, and celebrations of the like; I lost most of my desire to make my career better, not even wanting to bother with college again; I neglected things in some basic jobs that ended up gettting me fired...even though I *knew* they would if I didn't 'shape up'.
The thing is, these qualities are quite the reverse of whom I was pre-SSRI/SNRI days.Sorry if that sounds like a lot, but that is my past 8 or so years with Effexor. (And some trials of a few SSRI's). I will NEVER return to Effexor because of it, as all of those things above where putting 'nails in my coffin'. The only med I find a bit helpful is benzos, which seem to unlock all of that weighted-down feeling Effexor and SRI's caused me.
As I pointed out in another post, I am not 'anti-med', but I think the performance level of the SRI/SNRI's is weak, at best. I also think in many people with large clusters of personal problems, these meds can really mess your life up further.
'Detox' from Effexor was hell, to say the least, and this is from somebody who has no problem with any benzo 'withdrawl'. I can take benzos on and off...no problem..as I tend to use them as an 'emergency' sollution on days when the tension and like is far too much.
I wonder if the tricyclics have the same effect. I did try a few over the years, and I remember the time when I switched from a tricyclic to an SSRI, and it was pretty nasty, to say the least. The 'emotional blunting' didn't seem to exist on the tricyclics.
Anyhow...great thread...I'd like to hear more from others...
Jay
>
> This article is long but really interesting. Much of it rings true for me.
>
> http://ourworld.cs.com/ssobo2/myhomepage/index.html
>
> I found the link on the Depression Central site.
>
> -tabitha
Posted by jay on June 19, 2002, at 2:24:01
In reply to Is it possible some people can never cope?, posted by rainbowlight on June 18, 2002, at 18:18:21
> I had this discussion with my therapist today. I described to him how I had been to years of therapy and read just about every psychological self help book ever written and that I still did not have any better "coping" skills than I began with. The same issues in life STILL overwhelm me, the same dysfunctional family members are STILL able to get under my skin, and I have tried every "mental" trick in the book to work past these issues to no avail. I told him I need the meds to feel "numb", honestly, it's the only way I can cope and that I can allow things to roll off my shoulders that would normally pull me down. He says that is common and that to some point I will always have to be on some sort of med to be able to cope, seeing as my lack of coping skills are biological in nature. It sure is a depressing thought. Shouldn't they just tell you at the therapists door "sorry, there is nothing I can do for you, find the right meds, LOL!" Just kidding, but it is true to a point huh? I always feel that no matter how hard I try in life I am always going in circles and coming back to square one. Feels like I never make any progress. Soooooooo frustrating!
I don't really get a lot of info from your post, and don't pretend to know your situation, but regarding family members, is there not something you can do to shut them out of your life as much as possible? I truly believe there are 'toxic people' many of us have to avoid. Some call it 'escapism', but we sometimes have to 'escape' to get away from the crap. I know, I am not you or in your shoes..but sometimes just blocking certain people from your life is an excellent remedy. You shouldn't have to be the one that 'changes', and you shouldn't have to endure 'numbing'at the price of feeling less.
No real answers..just thought I would share some..well...thoughts. heh..
Jay
Posted by tabitha on June 19, 2002, at 4:55:02
In reply to Re: Great article on SSRIs and emotional blunting » tabitha, posted by Ritch on June 18, 2002, at 13:36:08
I agree there's something very "biological" about depression once it takes hold, but I think there could be psychological triggers that start it. I don't know of any therapies that make nearly as much difference as meds though.I suspect this author is kind of anti-med, in a Puritan sort of way (we should feel pain because pain builds character). I doubt if he understands what miserable and useless suffering severe depression really is.
I just appreciated the reminder that NO ONE KNOWS what causes depression, and NO ONE KNOWS why the meds alleviate it. The drugs create a whole host of changes, not all of them positive, and pulling us out of depression is just one of the effects. I don't think doctors appreciate this or fully inform us of what to expect.
-tabitha
Posted by Ritch on June 19, 2002, at 9:38:49
In reply to more on article... » Ritch, posted by tabitha on June 19, 2002, at 4:55:02
>
> I agree there's something very "biological" about depression once it takes hold, but I think there could be psychological triggers that start it. I don't know of any therapies that make nearly as much difference as meds though.
>
> I suspect this author is kind of anti-med, in a Puritan sort of way (we should feel pain because pain builds character). I doubt if he understands what miserable and useless suffering severe depression really is.
>
> I just appreciated the reminder that NO ONE KNOWS what causes depression, and NO ONE KNOWS why the meds alleviate it. The drugs create a whole host of changes, not all of them positive, and pulling us out of depression is just one of the effects. I don't think doctors appreciate this or fully inform us of what to expect.
>
> -tabitha
Tabitha,I agree that external factors can make a big difference. I got a big promotion at work one time a few years ago just as I was about to sink into my usual summer seasonal depression. It (the promotion) brought me out of the fatigue I was in and I got focused and felt much better. However, it unfortunately only *delayed* the depression for about ten days or so...
I also agree that external stressors can "precipitate" a "cascade" of hormone changes which wind up triggering a major depressive episode. The core of all of this is the individual's "fragility" bio-chemical or emotional. Well.. I think that is where the meds come in. Meds can give people a "thicker skin" than they otherwise wouldn't have. Thicker skins give you more "protection" from stressors that set off the "cascade" of events that could lead to major depression, panic, etc. I suppose ideally, it would be best to target the neuroendocrine "cascading" process instead of inducing a psychological thick-skin state. That way you would "feel" things more fully, but your body wouldn't self-destruct as a response (I am thinking about the CRF antagonists here).
Also, I am really not "anti-therapy" at all. CBT, DBT, etc., also target our "reactive" processes to external stressors at the cognitive level. The problem with therapy is you are highly likely to waste a tremendous amount of money and more importantly, *time*, finding the "right" therapist. Different approaches generally, and different therapist's personalities and skills, particularly, make *getting* good therapy a frustrating crap shoot for many people. The whole process (of obtaining therapy), seems like you might as well be shopping for a new religion, or worse looking for the best fortune-teller in town. So, the "religion" we are being "sold" here apears to be a derivitive of Puritanism, just like you say. :)
Mitch
Posted by rainbowlight on June 19, 2002, at 13:42:01
In reply to Re: more on article...Puritanism » tabitha, posted by Ritch on June 19, 2002, at 9:38:49
I have to agree with the "thick-skin" theory Ritch was explaining. That is exactly the way I explain it to my husband, that Zoloft gives me thicker skin. I also believe that people are either born thin skinned or thick skinned. I do not believe the theory that thin skinned people can become thick skinned through lifes trials (just my opinion). I do believe therapy is very useful for many people, especially in the beginning phases of learning how to cope with a mental illness or in working through a traumatic past or event. But I think after years of going, learning all the basics to help cope, you reach a point where there is nothing else the therapist can do for you except be there for support and to listen. I think you reach a level where you know where the therapy has reached it's ultimate level and the rest is left to the meds.
Posted by ST on June 19, 2002, at 14:44:40
In reply to Re: Now that I'm not on SSRI I feel like an open wound » ST, posted by jay on June 17, 2002, at 3:27:57
Thanks, everyone!
It's getting to the point where I want to get back on an SSRI. I'm driving my boyfriend crazy. We've been together for five years (all the time I was on an SSRI) with little or no arguments. We really are good together and he's always been understanding & patient with my depressoin. But this new "me" I've become now (or maybe it's the old me...) is critical of him and obsessive and I start these ridiculous fights....
I still really don't know whether it's the lack of an SSRI (I've really been a basket case the past three weeks that I've had no Effexor in my system), or the withdrawing from the Effexor.
Thanks for all the thoughts-it helps!
sarah
Posted by rainbowlight on June 19, 2002, at 15:50:54
In reply to Thanks, everyone!, posted by ST on June 19, 2002, at 14:44:40
It could be the Effexor withdrawel. I just did a week long trial run of Effexor (made me depressed and agitated). The past week of it I have been a total wreck, severe depression and horrible mood swings. I hope you feel better soon
Posted by Ritch on June 19, 2002, at 23:31:07
In reply to Mitch said it perfectly, posted by rainbowlight on June 19, 2002, at 13:42:01
......I also believe that people are either born thin skinned or thick skinned. I do not believe the theory that thin skinned people can become thick skinned through lifes trials (just my opinion...........
You just brought forth the crux of the argument, IMO. Suffering as a growth experience *can* make for more steely people... sometimes. Conversely, one could argue that suffering just cripples you up worse. I look at meds as "semi-permeable wetsuits with insulating properties". I get the wetsuit idea from a documentary I saw a long time ago (in the '70's) about Switzerland's liberal drug laws. Journalists were interviewing IV heroin/cocaine users in this big park in Zurich. This one guy mentioned that heroin was a metaphorical "wetsuit" for him, so that he could "deal" with the outside world. This relates back to the idea of the "psychologically induced thick skin state" talked about in the thread (induced here by SSRI's). The difference between SSRI's and heroin of course is the longer half-lives and legality of the antidepressants along with their relative lack of euphoria. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it would be better for many people to have *thinner* wetsuits (lower dosages), and that the tapering process of an SSRI would be akin to changing from thicker less permable wetsuits into thinner more permeable ones,... ultimately, however, many people may still *need some wetsuit or other*. If you find that a "problem", then you are putting forth a MORAL argument, not a scientific one.
Mitch
Posted by rainbowlight on June 20, 2002, at 1:48:49
In reply to Re: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?? » rainbowlight, posted by Ritch on June 19, 2002, at 23:31:07
I think that is exactly how it is, a wetsuit! Perfect! Coming to the realization that you might always need a "wetsuit" is a little hard to swallow for me, but what choice do I have. My Effexor trial is over (Horrible to say the least!) and I am back on my lovely numbing small dose of Zoloft. I am still searching for the holy grail of meds though, one that will leave the highs yet get rid of the lows. However, I think most of those meds are illegal! LOL! I think the author of "what doesn't kill you makes your stronger" must have never had a mental illness, lol!
Posted by Roo on June 20, 2002, at 9:05:52
In reply to Love the wetsuit, fits perfectly, posted by rainbowlight on June 20, 2002, at 1:48:49
And the wetsuit metaphor also explains the way sex
feels when you're on an ssri--like you're encased in
a wetsuit!
Posted by Ritch on June 20, 2002, at 9:34:48
In reply to Re: Love the wetsuit, fits perfectly, posted by Roo on June 20, 2002, at 9:05:52
Posted by Timmy4 on June 21, 2002, at 14:37:59
In reply to Re: Love the wetsuit, fits perfectly, posted by Roo on June 20, 2002, at 9:05:52
Hi!
Thanks for all the helpful descriptions of the SSRI effects. I could definitely use a thicker skin, as one of my primary symptoms is to focus in on how I am doing/feeling/making it in my normal day to day interactions. It seems that coming in on myself has become my first thought and I can imagine that the parnoia of prolonged marijuana smoke helped trigger my anxiety.
In any event, my question is whether the benefits of, in this case Paxil CR, can help my current situation, and after discontinuting at a comfortable time, the 'wetsuit' can then be strenthened without the medication. Maybe the reinforcement and the confidence of living in this life stage with Paxil can bring a less anxious persona in the future?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Posted by Angel Girl on June 26, 2002, at 18:28:42
In reply to Re: SSRIs and emotional blunting/making worse.. » tabitha, posted by jay on June 19, 2002, at 2:10:34
Jay
I found your post very interesting. What dosage of Effexor were you on? I'm currently taking 267.5mg of Effexor XR. I am guilty of all the things you have mentioned too re: neglecting things. I've always put it down to symptoms of depression and not the Effexor.
I'm not familiar with your situation. Are you taking something else now? And has the things you mentioned improved?
Angel Girl
Posted by Jem on August 15, 2003, at 22:57:14
In reply to Re: SSRIs and emotional blunting/making worse.. » tabitha, posted by jay on June 19, 2002, at 2:10:34
This takes up a year-old thread which I've only just seen!
The issue of SSRIs and emotional blunting is fascinating - and scary. I've been trying citalopram for anxiety for the past few months, during which time a relationship I was in ended without causing me much emotional pain at all - very untypically for me. I'm trying to work out whether this meant I just didn't love the woman, or whether I didn't feel the pain because of the citalopram! Have people experienced any tendency of SSRIs to blunt their capacity to feel such emotions as love, and the pains associated with it?
Jem
>
> After my 7-8 years on mostly Effexor, and now being 'sober' from it for almost a month, I see every single point in this article. The 'who cares' attitude being the strongest, and was deeply harmful regarding my quality of life.
>
> I neglected a number of very important things on Effexor, things I used to always be very vigilant about. I didn't complete my taxes for three years; I have neglected getting dental care, and am just now making an appointment for a large number of cavities that I *new* I had years ago; I hated going out, shopping, with friends, as I just had no inclination to these things; I stopped dating, and only now am 'in the mood' again; I neglected to pay bills I did have the money for; I lost interest in 'bothering' with family members during birthdays, and celebrations of the like; I lost most of my desire to make my career better, not even wanting to bother with college again; I neglected things in some basic jobs that ended up gettting me fired...even though I *knew* they would if I didn't 'shape up'.
> The thing is, these qualities are quite the reverse of whom I was pre-SSRI/SNRI days.
>
> Sorry if that sounds like a lot, but that is my past 8 or so years with Effexor. (And some trials of a few SSRI's). I will NEVER return to Effexor because of it, as all of those things above where putting 'nails in my coffin'. The only med I find a bit helpful is benzos, which seem to unlock all of that weighted-down feeling Effexor and SRI's caused me.
>
> As I pointed out in another post, I am not 'anti-med', but I think the performance level of the SRI/SNRI's is weak, at best. I also think in many people with large clusters of personal problems, these meds can really mess your life up further.
>
> 'Detox' from Effexor was hell, to say the least, and this is from somebody who has no problem with any benzo 'withdrawl'. I can take benzos on and off...no problem..as I tend to use them as an 'emergency' sollution on days when the tension and like is far too much.
>
> I wonder if the tricyclics have the same effect. I did try a few over the years, and I remember the time when I switched from a tricyclic to an SSRI, and it was pretty nasty, to say the least. The 'emotional blunting' didn't seem to exist on the tricyclics.
>
> Anyhow...great thread...I'd like to hear more from others...
>
> Jay
>
> >
> > This article is long but really interesting. Much of it rings true for me.
> >
> > http://ourworld.cs.com/ssobo2/myhomepage/index.html
> >
> > I found the link on the Depression Central site.
> >
> > -tabitha
>
>
Posted by Lovely Lisa on August 16, 2003, at 8:02:52
In reply to SSRIs, emotional blunting, and love, posted by Jem on August 15, 2003, at 22:57:14
I know exactly how you are feeling, Jem! I have been with my boyfriend for 5 months and I love him very much. However, since I started taking Zoloft two months ago, my feelings about everything seem to have disappeared. I just don't care anymore, which some might see as a good thing, but I feel like my heart is empty. Plus, my sex drive has just about disappeared which is making me even more upset. Two weeks ago I started taking 150 mg. of Wellbutrin to counteract the sexual side effects of the Zoloft, and yesterday my doctor increased the dosage to 300 mg. I am hoping this will work, but if I have no results after two weeks, she is weaning me off the Zoloft. I am hoping this is the case because I actually want to feel things again, even the normal negative emotions.
Good luck!
Lisa
Posted by JMike on October 27, 2003, at 17:00:06
In reply to Re: SSRIs, emotional blunting, and love, posted by Lovely Lisa on August 16, 2003, at 8:02:52
I have been taking Lexapro for one month now for panic attacks/generalized anxiety and am feeling the same way. I know that I love my wife and two young children, but the feeling just isn't there. I don't know if this is due to the medication or my condition- but I want it to stop. I am having a hard time dealing with this - it is really worrying me - I thought worry was the one thing lexapro was supposed to help with- My panic attacks are gone - but I feel left with an empty shell of the person I used to be-
Posted by Gusto on October 28, 2003, at 13:54:40
In reply to Re: SSRIs, emotional blunting, and love » Lovely Lisa, posted by JMike on October 27, 2003, at 17:00:06
> I have been taking Lexapro for one month now for panic attacks/generalized anxiety and am feeling the same way. I know that I love my wife and two young children, but the feeling just isn't there. I don't know if this is due to the medication or my condition- but I want it to stop. I am having a hard time dealing with this - it is really worrying me - I thought worry was the one thing lexapro was supposed to help with- My panic attacks are gone - but I feel left with an empty shell of the person I used to be-
I'm taking zoloft (50mg), had some of the same feelings. My shrink let me add buspar (30mg) back in (I was on it before the zoloft). I'm doing much better. Anxiety and depression are gone, I'm horny most of the time again. Still a little tired feeling though. For me it's close to being a miracle drug. For the first time in my life I really feel "normal".
Posted by carolee on October 28, 2003, at 17:38:46
In reply to Re: SSRIs, emotional blunting, and love, posted by Gusto on October 28, 2003, at 13:54:40
what is normal? and what a shame that we want to be "normal", and at the same time its depressiong that we want our life back. Is this the way the rest of it is going to be? trying different meds., and finding what works?
think iam being a bit depressed....being on lexapro seems to have helped somewhat with my OCD and just abit with the anxiety....any suggestions? should i continue w/lexapro, or/and try something with it? :(
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