Posted by Ritch on August 5, 2002, at 10:06:28
In reply to Re: How Parnate saved my butt, posted by cybercafe on August 5, 2002, at 2:24:54
> >you solve avoidance issues (medications or CBT), you still have approach (interest) issues to deal with. The bottom line is--if you lack the motivation and interest to interact with other new folks-all of the therapy/meds to stop avoidance behaviors are lost if the motivational issues aren't addressed. That is where the MAOI's and stimulants have a role in treatment, IMO.
>
> that makes good sense to me -- though some might say that if you are lacking the motivation and interest you are experiencing depression? .... though to begin with i couldn't even imagine what it would be like to avoid contact with people and not be depressed!
>
> .... one thing that is a little harder to get rid of is agoraphobia -- like sitting still for a 3+ hour car ride .... any idea what the best med is for this?
>
> .. i also find it difficult to walk up to a group of 10 girls...
>
Cyber,You have a good point about the depression aspect of SA. I have had recurring major (and not so major) depressions for 25 years now (sometimes 4 or more a year). There definitely is a correlation to motivation/interest and *lack* of depression! I think I just get used to being depressed and it probably isn't really being treated because of my med-induced hypomanias. When I am hypomanic I can talk to dead people (figuratively..of course)! Agoraphobia is something that tends to develop and be reinforced at the tail end of my depressions, then I will flip back into hypomania, come out of my shell, unlearn all of the agoraphobic behaviours, just about the time I get depressed again. Bummer. Meds that historically work well for agoraphobia tend to be sedative tricyclics like amitripytline. Probably Remeron would do well for that. MAOI's are good for phobias generally, but probably work best for "specific" phobias. Bottom line--like you say--if you are depressed you aren't going to be interested in socializing!
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:115196
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115272.html