Posted by med_empowered on June 2, 2005, at 19:43:10
In reply to Re: I have NO emotion. (SLS, Linkadge???), posted by linkadge on June 2, 2005, at 19:30:57
hi! I'm BP 1/ BP NOS, so I know what you mean. For the last couple years, my depressive cycles have mostly been characterized by the very lack of emotion you describe. Its rough, isn't it? Linkadge made a very important point: anti-depressants, especially the ssri's and effexor (possibly cymbalta as well) can cause apathy. You may want to try the gingko. Other than that...I'd lay low on the risperdal, but that's just me; although atypicals can help with depression, I find that I'm usually better off using a benzo for crisis or just waiting it out than I am taking an anti-psychotic. Lamictal is a good call for depression; adding Wellbutrin if you can might be a good idea, possibly along with a little BuSpar (which acts as a partial serotonin anatgonist) for any wellbutrin-induced anxiety. You could try provigil...some people swear by it for augmenting treatment of depression. The research to support that isn't all that solid yet, but it certainly is worth a shot. Surmontil is an old tricyclic that has some anti-psychotic properties, but doesn't seem to cause tardive dyskinesia and what not (I think this is true). A low-dose of that could be helpful...but there would be the TCA side effects to deal with (possible weight gain, heart weirdness, etc.). Therapy can be helpful, and I'm a firm believer is self-help methods as well; try to get out some, write or do something to express yourself, exercise if feasible, so on and so forth. Good luck!
poster:med_empowered
thread:507051
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050601/msgs/507073.html