Posted by Caleb462 on May 5, 2003, at 1:31:13
In reply to Re: MED QUESTION ???, posted by daizy on May 3, 2003, at 16:49:37
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> > << I just have a lack of interest in everything >>
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> > << I just feel very uninterested and glum! >>
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> > daizy, that definitely DOES sound like depression!
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> Yeah I think that Im starting to become depressed, this anxiety is making me like this, but Ive been seen by a doctor who said Im definitely not clinically depessed, yet Im on antidepressants, does this make any sense?Well, it's quite possible that, although you weren't clinically depressed at the time you last saw a doctor, that you are now. And yes it does make sense that you are on anti-depressants, as many anti-depressants also work as anxiotylics (anti-anxiety agents).
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> I also think that these AD's might be causing it, silly I know, but If I had just had an anti anxiety med to begin with I doubt I would be feeling as Glum as I am now, as the anxiety was my major problem.Not silly at all, actually. Some anti-depressants can induce a state of apathy, disinterest, low motivation, loss of pleasure, detachment, etc. due to inhibition of dopamine release. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, energy, reward, pleasure, etc.
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> Why isnt there a specific anti-anxiety medication that doesnt play around with your emotions like AD's do? If I wasnt depressed then why did I need something that is blunting my emotions???
>You have to understand that anxiety and depression are very similiar conditions, even if on the outside they look totally different. There are some anti-anxiety medications that may not alter you quite as much as an SSRI - I assume that is what you are taking? You may want to consider a benzo (Klonopin, forinstance).
> I fail to see how antidepresants can make someone happy? Do they, or do they just stop you from being suicidal, but also stop you from being happy? stop you from feeling anything at all? make you numb? Or is it just my medication that is making me feel like this?
Anti-depressants tend to calm the body and mind's "startle response"... they often block out impulsivity and overreactivty. This effect is useful for both depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, in many people, this can lead to a feeling of being "numb" or "blunted". This usually happens with the SSRIs. In fact, the SSRIs have been described as thymoanesthetics (emotion desensitizers). This can be a good thing, or a bad thing... depending on the individual and his/her situation.
> I would like to hear something positive that AD's have done?ADs have saved countless people's lives.
poster:Caleb462
thread:224033
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/224383.html