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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
Hello--I am currently on 10 mg Lexapro for depression/anxiety. I have only been on for six and a half weeks or so, so the jury is still out. So far, seems to make a noticeable difference.
However, I also have concentration/focus problems. I have never been diagnosed ADD, but have also never brought it up to my psychiatrist, as the depression/anxiety were the only problems I could focus on pre-Lexapro.
Are there any depression/anxiety drugs that might also assist in areas of concentration/focus? Is this something the Lexapro should be targeting as well?
Thanks so much for any advice!
Jon
Posted by linkadge on July 26, 2004, at 15:04:48
In reply to Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
SSRI's can enhance some aspects of cognition, but they can also hinder other aspects of it.
Linkadge
Posted by sageblue on July 27, 2004, at 0:45:52
In reply to Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
in my experience, many ssri's worsen short-term memory. but, they may improve your attention and memory by allowing you to spend less energy on worrying or depression and more on real life.
i have heard of many adhd people taking both an ssri or snri _and_ a med for adhd. it seems to be effective in all cases.
either way, you might want to be formally tested for add before being self-diagnosed with it.
Posted by Sebastian on July 27, 2004, at 11:44:02
In reply to Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
I took celexa in collage and got straight A's. But I realy atribute the 10 mg dose of zyprexa to my good grades. The ciggarettes helped a lot too.
Posted by SDA on July 27, 2004, at 14:02:04
In reply to Re: Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by linkadge on July 26, 2004, at 15:04:48
> SSRI's can enhance some aspects of cognition, but they can also hinder other aspects of it.
>
> LinkadgeWhich aspects are these? I was on Zoloft recently for cognitive problems that were thought to be caused by depression. I took it for a few months, but couldn't really decide whether is was helping or hurting.
Thanks
Posted by zeebop on July 28, 2004, at 3:32:57
In reply to Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
> Hello--I am currently on 10 mg Lexapro for depression/anxiety. I have only been on for six and a half weeks or so, so the jury is still out. So far, seems to make a noticeable difference.
>
> However, I also have concentration/focus problems. I have never been diagnosed ADD, but have also never brought it up to my psychiatrist, as the depression/anxiety were the only problems I could focus on pre-Lexapro.
>
> Are there any depression/anxiety drugs that might also assist in areas of concentration/focus? Is this something the Lexapro should be targeting as well?
>
> Thanks so much for any advice!
>
> JonHello,
I've been through every psychotropic family of medications . I think that all 6 SSRIs do not help on this field.Effexor is slightly better;however the more the medication has NE/DA or NE effects only the more the concentration.
Da medications like selegililine ,ephedrine.etc gives you energy and motivation but no directed goal(concentrations).NE like imipramine,reboxetine,nortriptyline..etc gives very good concentration,and can counterattack the apathy and the indifference that appears with prolonged use of SSRI,s when combined.
Posted by Bill LL on July 28, 2004, at 8:58:36
In reply to Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
In my experience, SSRI's don't really help or hurt with concentration. ADD symptoms often go together with anxiety, depression, and OCD.
For ADD symptoms, you should add either a stimulant such as Ritalin, or Wellbutrin, or Strattera. All 3 can also help with anxiety and depression when taken with an antidepressant such as Lexapro.
I also take Lexapro. I take it with Strattera. I first tried adding in Wellbutrin, but it made me jittery.
Posted by DMTelf on July 28, 2004, at 13:39:42
In reply to Are SSRI's Good for Concentration Problems?, posted by filmguy on July 26, 2004, at 13:55:07
Just add in a daily dose of Concerta with your SSRI. thats what most people do i think. there's also a new time release Ritalin, "Ritalin LE." it's supposed to be better than Concerta.
This is the end of the thread.
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