Posted by TomG on June 20, 2005, at 16:38:19
In reply to Can't stand this numb feeling anymore!, posted by Denise1966 on June 20, 2005, at 13:01:53
I am like this all of the time even off meds. Flat affect is very common with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia rather than the pain and emotional sadness and hopelessness of a deep depression. I'm not saying you're schizophrenic like me, because I think SSRI's can be the guilty party in making you feel numb rather than making you happy.
I know it doesn't feel good, but ask yourself is it better than the despair you feel in your depression. I sometimes welcome the fact I am flat emotionally rather than having the pain associated with the hell that clinical depression can bring. I've been like this most of my life so I guess I'm sort of used to it, but I know life would be much more enjoyable without the numbness. Did you have the numbness before the Paxil? I've had limited sucess with the antipsychotic Geodon at restoring my emotions along with helping most of my other symptoms.
If you do decide on ECT you might find it hard to get a doctor to be amenable to your plan if your list of 'tried' medications is short. I've been on damn near 20 meds over 8 years and the mere mention of ECT with my last two docs has caused a quick change of subject. I'm not saying you can't get ECT, but it might take a few consulations with different pdocs.
Good luck
Tom
poster:TomG
thread:516005
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050617/msgs/516120.html