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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by opalette on February 19, 2010, at 4:08:30
What has been shown to help with it and why?
Posted by opalette on February 19, 2010, at 4:39:21
In reply to Emotional numbness, posted by opalette on February 19, 2010, at 4:08:30
I didn't want to muddle my main question by posting all of this at once. So here's answers to what people may ask me:
I had depression for over 10 years, and tried various SSRIs, Wellbutrin, Abilify, even Piracetam. Several helped with my depression but none helped with my emotional numbness.
I changed my diet to gluten/sugar free and added fish oil, and the change in my depression has been amazing. I have been free of negative thought patterns for half a year. I feel confident where I once felt socially anxious. I get things done automatically, without having to whip myself into action. I am cured.
But I am still emotionally numb.
So I'm having to start from scratch. Please let me know what you know about curing emotional numbness, even if it's emotional numbness in African pygmy rats.
Thanks so much!
O.
Posted by Brainbeard on February 19, 2010, at 6:23:21
In reply to Re: Emotional numbness, posted by opalette on February 19, 2010, at 4:39:21
Fact of the matter is that SSRI's CAUSE emotional numbing, and TCA's don't. TCA's somehow keep emotions alive, and it may well be that they could stir them up in you somehow, who knows? It's only a thought.
Some people have theorized and/or experienced that tianeptine, the French antidepressant ('Stablon' is its brand name) makes them MORE instead of less emotional, sometimes even to the point of having crying fits.
GHB can also enhance emotional life, if taken in the right doses, but it's an illegal substance, so that seems to be a dead end.
I have sometimes become very emotional while attending an evangelical church service - you could try that if you're desperate. ;)
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on April 29, 2010, at 14:17:07
In reply to Emotional numbness, posted by opalette on February 19, 2010, at 4:08:30
> What has been shown to help with it and why?
Noradrenalin increasing antidepressants are anecdotally said to be better at treating emotional numbness and anhedonia. Why excatly I don't know. Probably because noradrenalin is largely a stimulating neurotransmitter.
Dopamine is also indicated in anhedonia and emotional numbness as these are linked with dopamine hypofunction in parts of the brain. Pure dopamine agonists are usually not used to treat anything other than parkinsons and it's practically impossible to get a psychiatrist to presribe. Their potential to treat anhedonia are not really greatly backed up studies altough some are supportive.
Posted by conundrum on April 29, 2010, at 17:05:59
In reply to Re: Emotional numbness, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on April 29, 2010, at 14:17:07
Alexander have you tried a tricyclic?
This is the end of the thread.
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