![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:29:09
I am taking zoloft for depression but it kind of hinders my attention. If I add stimulants (even coffee) I have symptoms of panic. I do very well on SSRi's but would like to give my best shot at university and need to concentrate.
Is there anything for cognition that would not cause panic ??
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:31:01
In reply to what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:29:09
Just to add to what I was saying. It's not my understanding that is compromised but rather my ability to focus on one task for more than 20 minautes or so.
Linkadge
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 1, 2004, at 22:32:09
In reply to what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:29:09
Is it anxiety that hinders your attention? I know that adding Neurontin helped me w/ attn b/c it decreased my anxiety. Also, sometimes Welbutrin can be a helpful add-on.
Posted by Sad Panda on October 1, 2004, at 22:45:11
In reply to what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:29:09
Have you tried any TCA's ?
Nortriptyline is a great one to add to an SSRI. It's anxiolytic, blocks most of SSRI's side effects & I found it to be alerting. Zoloft is the best SSRI to combine with it, both are weak dopamine reuptake inhibitors which when combine give a modest dopamine lift.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by octopusprime on October 2, 2004, at 10:07:12
In reply to Re: what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:31:01
linkadge:
is this a problem in classroom settings or exam situations?
or is this only a problem when you're trying to study or do homework?
i had terrible concentration problems doing homework but i was generally ok in classes and exams.
if it's just a study/homework thing, you can just work around your 20 minute blocks. example evening:
1. start homework
2. go to the bathroom
3. go back to homework
4. watch the simpsons
5. go back to homework
6. make dinner
7. go back to homework
8. eat dinner
9. go back to homework
10. smoke a cigarette
11. go back to homework
12. wash dishes
13. go back to homework
14. play solitaireetc etc etc
Posted by mattw84 on October 2, 2004, at 10:18:13
In reply to what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:29:09
Posted by linkadge on October 2, 2004, at 17:17:52
In reply to Might try Provigil (nm) » linkadge, posted by mattw84 on October 2, 2004, at 10:18:13
The only real problem is that I can only concentrate for about 15 minautes (don't know what I said above :) ) anyhow this is what makes me anxious because I am afraid that when I take a test I cannot sit for 2.5 hours let alone concentrate.
I'd be nice If I could do 15 minautes of a final exam, have a cigarette, do another 15 minautes, watch the simpsons, to another 15 .....
It is really wierd, things that help me focus for hours tend to depress me.
Linkadge
Posted by TheOutsider on October 3, 2004, at 8:26:43
In reply to what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:29:09
> I am taking zoloft for depression but it kind of hinders my attention. If I add stimulants (even coffee) I have symptoms of panic. I do very well on SSRi's but would like to give my best shot at university and need to concentrate.
>
> Is there anything for cognition that would not cause panic ??
>
> Linkadge
>
Sorry if this is an obvies point, but when you start a stimulent is your starting dose to high?I'm only saying this because of my own experience. After my finals I was extremely intolerent of dexedrine, even half a 5mg tablet made me panicky!
I became quite depressed about this untill I tried a quarter of a tablet, this dose was high enoughth for me to get some benefits and yet didn't make me panicky.Funnily enough I cannot tolerate any caffeine, which is very frustrating!
Posted by Maximus on October 3, 2004, at 15:06:37
In reply to Re: what to do about this situation ??, posted by linkadge on October 1, 2004, at 21:31:01
> Just to add to what I was saying. It's not my understanding that is compromised but rather my ability to focus on one task for more than 20 minautes or so.
Sorry i come late on this thread. But i would blame valproate (instead of Zoloft) for your inability to focus. At least that is my experience with these AEDs.
Strangely enough i can finish a task easily when i'm on Lithium. A curious beast this Lithium.
Posted by linkadge on October 4, 2004, at 8:54:13
In reply to Re: what to do about this situation ?? » linkadge, posted by Maximus on October 3, 2004, at 15:06:37
I'm off the valproate, Just on zoloft and clonazepam.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on October 4, 2004, at 12:07:40
In reply to Re: Might try Provigil, posted by linkadge on October 2, 2004, at 17:17:52
Provigil might be a very good idea for what you're describing. It seems to have mild antidepressant qualities on its own, and it does improve focus without adding to anxiety. It's a friendly drug, having few side effects.
That would be my very first suggestion to you.
Is the Zoloft adding to your anxiety? I found it to increase my anxiety, without having any noticeable effect on my depression.
Hope that helps.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.