Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 480205

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

anxiety/depression concentration and motivation

Posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 12:43:30

Hi, I have social anxiety and some depression. I also have low motivation and concentration. The ssri's seem to help with the sa and depression some, but make my concentration and motivation worse. klonopin worked for sa but made the other three worse. I got hives on wellbutrin xl. Anybody know what a good med or med combo would be for me?

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation

Posted by melspinyards on April 5, 2005, at 18:22:00

In reply to anxiety/depression concentration and motivation, posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 12:43:30

You sound low on dopamine, or norepinephrine. These nuero's are for human reward, and motivation. I think with low dopamine, there is less desire to do stuff, becuase you feel no reward and motivation of doing it. Norepinehrine mainly is an alertness, attention, and somedrive.

Wellbutrin does increase these, but for this situation alternate treatment. A psychostimulant, Adderall or Focalin, both boost these nuero's for a period of time, this may help with keeping up with tedious stupid work. Focalin, has more side effects after the "rebound" effect, -when it leaves-. Adderall is slower, so it may be help.

Talk to your doctor.

Pep up

melody

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation

Posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 18:43:10

In reply to Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation, posted by melspinyards on April 5, 2005, at 18:22:00

wouldn't those increase anxiety, though?

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation

Posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 20:27:19

In reply to Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation, posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 18:43:10

anyone else have suggestions.

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation » mworkman

Posted by jessers11581 on April 5, 2005, at 21:05:43

In reply to Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation, posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 18:43:10

I don't really have any suggestions, since I'm in pretty much the same boat myself. But I will say that Wellbutrin gave me hives, as well. I've heard many people say that it causes itching. I wonder why?

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivation

Posted by JKL on April 6, 2005, at 6:03:44

In reply to anxiety/depression concentration and motivation, posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 12:43:30

> Hi, I have social anxiety and some depression. I also have low motivation and concentration. The ssri's seem to help with the sa and depression some, but make my concentration and motivation worse. klonopin worked for sa but made the other three worse. I got hives on wellbutrin xl. Anybody know what a good med or med combo would be for me?

Try looking at the antipsychotics. I really wish they wouldn't have given them that name. It is misleading. They are wonderful meds for the symptoms you have, and actually for a whole diverse set of psychiatric symptoms. So many people who do not have schizophrenia or psychosis do very well on APs for a whole array of psychiatric conditions.

For good concentration, good motivation, elimination of depression and anxiety, I find that my pdoc approved combination of Kira st johns wort and zyprexa is real good.

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivatio

Posted by MoparFan91 on April 6, 2005, at 22:07:54

In reply to anxiety/depression concentration and motivation, posted by mworkman on April 5, 2005, at 12:43:30

I take 20mg of Geodon per day (10mg in two divided doses). It seems to help me with motivation, concentration, and focus at that level. I also seem to have more interest in things. The theory is that atypical antipsychotics at low doses (like 20-40mg/day Geodon, etc.) preferentially block presynaptic dopamine receptors indirectly increasing dopamine transmission. My doctor said that it acts more as a dopamine agonist as low doses. Additionally, as a bonus, Geodon also moderately inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine (like Cymbalta) and has agonism of the 5-HT1A receptor (like Buspar) giving it somewhat of a calming effect. So, basically, you get three neurotransmitters in one. As a bonus, Geodon also helps filter out negative/depressive thoughts.

When I ran out of Geodon and didn't take it for a week, my focus, concentration, and motivation suffered. The negative and depressive thoughts (thoughts of inadequacy, inferiority, etc.) came back.

At higher doses, though, it seems to do the opposite, and I get lack of motivation, inhibited thoughts, ADHD (can't concentrate on anything) symptoms, and other symptoms of low dopamine such as EPS since it blocks all dopamine receptors at higher doses (used for Schizophrenia) apparently.

Give a low dose atypical antipsychotic such as Geodon a try.

> Hi, I have social anxiety and some depression. I also have low motivation and concentration. The ssri's seem to help with the sa and depression some, but make my concentration and motivation worse. klonopin worked for sa but made the other three worse. I got hives on wellbutrin xl. Anybody know what a good med or med combo would be for me?

 

Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivatio

Posted by jasmineneroli on April 7, 2005, at 1:45:02

In reply to Re: anxiety/depression concentration and motivatio, posted by MoparFan91 on April 6, 2005, at 22:07:54

Hi:
You could try a combo of Effexor and Klonopin.
My daughter has the exact same symptoms you describe and has recently started a low dose (37.5mg) Effexor, plus .5mg Klon. (the klonopin is in 2 .25mg doses per day). She is finding this combo to be effective, even at these low doses.

Effexor is an SNRI, and is often prescribed for anxiety disorders as well as depression. Since it affects norepinephrine it will help motivate and be task oriented.
Starting very low, will help you avoid side effects and you can carefully reach a dose which is therapeutic for you as an individual. Keeping the doses as low as poss. also minimizes any withdrawal, if you need to discontinue for any reason.
Taking stimulants such as Adderall, may worsen your anxiety, but sometimes they have paradoxical effects. It's a game of trial & error, I'm afraid.
Best of luck!
Jas


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