Posted by Paul on August 15, 1999, at 1:19:20
In reply to While my guitar gently rusts, posted by Stephan on August 14, 1999, at 23:50:37
> Haven't touched my guitar for many months, either. People who think beating depression is primarily a matter of starting to doing things again that you used to love are seriously deluded. This only makes my depression worse. Anhedonia is a curse like no other.
>
> On a brighter note, I don't think anhedonia is necessarily a dopamine-related problem. Have you tried an SSRI/Tricyclic combo? Thyroid hormone augmentation? Buspirone augmentation? There's tons of other stuff out there. (Finding a competent doctor willing to try all or even some of the available options, however, may prove to be the far greater challenge).
I can't disagree with any of these posts. I'm struggling with similar probs. I think a stimulant, Ritalin, dexadrine spansules, cylert, would be my first choice, if you can get your doc to prescribe it, I can't. It seems that there's a seesaw like effect with serotonin and dopamine. When you raise one, the other seems to be lowered. But many have found relief with the addition of a stimulant, dopamine agonist, lithium, pindolol, something called "Revia" which I'm looking for more info. on. Also, a loaner high spectrum SAD light could help, I think I'm gonna try it. Here in Atlanta, at Emory U., they're having great results with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulatition, seems to be as effective as ECT, without the amnesia, etc. Just remember, you've got a lot of options, and more are emerging daily. Hope some of this helps.
poster:Paul
thread:10100
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990814/msgs/10120.html