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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by direct_to on October 24, 2007, at 11:06:20
Hi all, first post.
Currently a college student dealing with a severe loss of motivation and moderate depression, OCD, etc. I like the school that I go to, but have yet to make a true circle of friends and really feel accepted. Also, school is far from home which includes significant change in general environment. Basically, I'm alright at home. I have a great group of friends, feel very comfortable, etc. I had a great summer where I got a lot accomplished. Recently the same thing has happened to me as happened last year after being at school for a few weeks. I get to school, feel great, go to the gym, do all my work, etc. Then, after a few weeks everything just goes through the floor. My room becomes a mess. My schoolwork starts falling behind. I'm not longer active. Dragging myself to class becomes nearly mission impossible. The only thing I want to do is sleep. All day. Back home I had always dealt with very slight depression, OCD and anxiety (runs in the family) and I think being away from home, and being out of my comfort zone for these extended periods of time is seriously aggravating these conditions. I like the school that I go to, and in general have been doing well on the "outside" (I tell everyone school is GREAT, I love it out here, etc) but have been suffering on the inside. Really it is just a complete LOSS of all motivation. I do have a bit of ADD for which I occasionally take 10-20 mg of Dexedrine for (intense academic assignments, etc) which obviously alleviates the lack of motivation, but I'm only taking that once a week or so. I really hate the way the stimulant makes me feel, but I get my work done so I take it occasionally. It is much too short term and intense though and I want something more long lasting for every day that will get my motivation and energy up the way it is when I'm back home. I'm always working on things back home, feeling good, etc. Once I'm out here for more than a week, all I can really bare to do is drag myself to class, and then get right back into bed. I need a solution. I'm considering Wellbutrin. I understand it is quite "activating" which I imagine would be a good thing for my loss of motivation. Hopefully it will give me the "getup" I need get rolling each day. Also I know I am dealing with depression being out here, as I really feel like I'm still searching for a group to belong to. Hopefully the AD part of Wellbutrin will help with that. I do have some anxiety and OCD, but do not believe that I'm Bipolar. I'm hoping Wellbutrin does not aggrevate any anxiety that I do have. I've read some good things and some bad things on this site. It seems like the consensus is "try it". I've considered Effexor, but after reading about some people that get sedated and all the sexual side effects, I'm leaning towards Wellbutrin. What sort of comments do you all have?
Thanks.
Posted by Polarbear206 on October 24, 2007, at 12:41:16
In reply to Thinking about Wellbutrin, posted by direct_to on October 24, 2007, at 11:06:20
> Hi all, first post.
>
> Currently a college student dealing with a severe loss of motivation and moderate depression, OCD, etc. I like the school that I go to, but have yet to make a true circle of friends and really feel accepted. Also, school is far from home which includes significant change in general environment. Basically, I'm alright at home. I have a great group of friends, feel very comfortable, etc. I had a great summer where I got a lot accomplished. Recently the same thing has happened to me as happened last year after being at school for a few weeks. I get to school, feel great, go to the gym, do all my work, etc. Then, after a few weeks everything just goes through the floor. My room becomes a mess. My schoolwork starts falling behind. I'm not longer active. Dragging myself to class becomes nearly mission impossible. The only thing I want to do is sleep. All day. Back home I had always dealt with very slight depression, OCD and anxiety (runs in the family) and I think being away from home, and being out of my comfort zone for these extended periods of time is seriously aggravating these conditions. I like the school that I go to, and in general have been doing well on the "outside" (I tell everyone school is GREAT, I love it out here, etc) but have been suffering on the inside. Really it is just a complete LOSS of all motivation. I do have a bit of ADD for which I occasionally take 10-20 mg of Dexedrine for (intense academic assignments, etc) which obviously alleviates the lack of motivation, but I'm only taking that once a week or so. I really hate the way the stimulant makes me feel, but I get my work done so I take it occasionally. It is much too short term and intense though and I want something more long lasting for every day that will get my motivation and energy up the way it is when I'm back home. I'm always working on things back home, feeling good, etc. Once I'm out here for more than a week, all I can really bare to do is drag myself to class, and then get right back into bed. I need a solution. I'm considering Wellbutrin. I understand it is quite "activating" which I imagine would be a good thing for my loss of motivation. Hopefully it will give me the "getup" I need get rolling each day. Also I know I am dealing with depression being out here, as I really feel like I'm still searching for a group to belong to. Hopefully the AD part of Wellbutrin will help with that. I do have some anxiety and OCD, but do not believe that I'm Bipolar. I'm hoping Wellbutrin does not aggrevate any anxiety that I do have. I've read some good things and some bad things on this site. It seems like the consensus is "try it". I've considered Effexor, but after reading about some people that get sedated and all the sexual side effects, I'm leaning towards Wellbutrin. What sort of comments do you all have?
>
> Thanks.
You may very well have seasonal affective disorder in addition to your anxiety/depression and OCD. You stated you had accomplished alot over the summer and did a one-eighty after a few weeks at school. This is the time of year it hits for people with SAD. Wellbutrin is one of the AD's used to treat SAD and also the SSRI's. Light therapy is very beneficial, esp. if used in the morning. You could always try this first, however you may need an antidepressant since you have a history. There is a possiblilty you could have a soft bipolar with just shifts in energy levels. I have more energy in the spring and summer than winter months. You definately need to act on this since it is interfering with your daily routine and school work. Hope this helps.PB
Posted by direct_to on October 25, 2007, at 23:58:00
In reply to Thinking about Wellbutrin, posted by direct_to on October 24, 2007, at 11:06:20
Thank you, I know I need to do something. After reading more I am thinking about raising the possibility of a Wellbutrin AND Effexor combination. I've been reading a lot of positive things about that. I know an MAOI would be helpful but I am concerned about the restrictions obviously. Reading more about ENSAM patch or whatever it is. Interesting. Anyone else care to comment?
Posted by Polarbear206 on October 26, 2007, at 10:58:47
In reply to Re: Thinking about Wellbutrin (AND Effexor?), posted by direct_to on October 25, 2007, at 23:58:00
> Thank you, I know I need to do something. After reading more I am thinking about raising the possibility of a Wellbutrin AND Effexor combination. I've been reading a lot of positive things about that. I know an MAOI would be helpful but I am concerned about the restrictions obviously. Reading more about ENSAM patch or whatever it is. Interesting. Anyone else care to comment?
I take effexor/wellbutrin and lamictal. Keeps me even and best combo I have been on.
PB
Posted by gigeligi on October 26, 2007, at 15:35:43
In reply to Re: Thinking about Wellbutrin (AND Effexor?) » direct_to, posted by Polarbear206 on October 26, 2007, at 10:58:47
does the Wellbutrin prevent the weight gain from effexor? I am on WB xl now after going off Effexor due to weight gain. But effexor was really effective for my depression.
Posted by Polarbear206 on October 26, 2007, at 21:52:02
In reply to Re: Thinking about Wellbutrin (AND Effexor?), posted by gigeligi on October 26, 2007, at 15:35:43
> does the Wellbutrin prevent the weight gain from effexor? I am on WB xl now after going off Effexor due to weight gain. But effexor was really effective for my depression.
I think it really helps. IMOP, effexor causes less weight gain than the ssri's. I wouldn't throw in the towel on the effexor yet until you give it a try with wellbutrin.PB
Posted by 49er on October 28, 2007, at 17:12:01
In reply to Thinking about Wellbutrin, posted by direct_to on October 24, 2007, at 11:06:20
Hi,
Not to be a nayayer but you might want to read about my experiences before you fully commit to meds. I have borderline ADHD in addition to a learning disability.
When I was put on Wellbutrin in addition to two ADs and Adderall in 2004, I thought it was great. Unfortunately, this med combination considerably worsened my ADHD and LD symptoms to the point of it being quite frightening. I had been on meds since 1995.
It also caused tinnitus and a hearing loss. Plus a hand tremor worsened considerably.
Worst of all, I became numb to everything and had no feelings whatsoever. I also let relationships considerably slide. I still thought these meds were great and it wasn't until I started tapering off of them that I realized how I had been deceiving myself.
Knowing what I know now, I would have gotten psychotherapy to deal with my LD/ADHD and gotten on some good nutritional supplements. I am not talking about the vitamins you buy at CVS.
Anyway, while my life isn't wonderful by any means, I am doing so much better and have gotten alot more done. Today is an exception with all my posts <smile>.
I will step off my soapbox.
49er
This is the end of the thread.
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