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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 5, 2009, at 16:33:42
Hello,
I had my third 'mental break' this past April. Previous mental breaks occured in College and then again at 27, now 34. For the first break I went on Noratryptaline and Serzone followed by Zoloft. The combination worked and lifted me out of my depression. I was off antidepressents for a couple years and then I had a break at 27. I went on Effexor, and although miserable to get on, it helped lift me out of my break. To note, I have been in psychoanalyes, 4-5 times a week, since age 25. My third break occured last spring. I attempted to come off Effexor at the time as I felt pretty good prior to the break. I crashed hard and have had a tough time with finding the right meds ever since. I have tried all sorts of combinations with no relief. Right now I am taking the Emsam patch (12 mg), 2.5 mg of xyprexa, and 200 mg lamictal. I am somewhat less depressed than I have been in the past 6 months, however the feeling of boredom is out of control. Could the meds be causing this? I have never felt this feeling before. I find myself struggling to fill time and socially disconnected although I have a good amount of friends. Any advice or similiar experience?
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2009, at 21:58:03
In reply to Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xyprexa, posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 5, 2009, at 16:33:42
First welcome to babble. No I haven't taken those meds but sure relate to the boredom. How's the Emsam for you stimulating? When you saw break what's your diagnoisis if you don't mind answering. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 5, 2009, at 22:13:27
In reply to Re: Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xyprexa » Jonathan Weaver, posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2009, at 21:58:03
Thanks for the welcome! :) The boredom is very new to me in relation to my psychological state. Never in my previous 2 crashes did I feel this sense of boredom. It isnt like a boredom that is cured when I have something to do. Even while active I am overwhelmed with this odd sense of boredom. It really distorts time...anyhow...The Emsam...one of the reasons I went on the stuff is for the activating properties it is supposed to have. Not so in my case. I am actually sleepier since using it. I have been on it for about 4 weeks. My diagnosis as of late is atypical depression with anxiety. My diagnosis' have bounced all over the place in the past 14 years...severe depression to anxiety disorder to bipolor to depression with anxiety to biplor II to my latest...fun stuff I tell ya...ugh!
Posted by zzzz7 on October 6, 2009, at 0:08:51
In reply to Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xyprexa, posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 5, 2009, at 16:33:42
You sound like me with the timing of things, though I waited a few more years to have #3 (currently occurring).
Are your symptoms similar to SSRI-induced apathy?
Posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 6, 2009, at 0:21:09
In reply to Re: Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xypre, posted by zzzz7 on October 6, 2009, at 0:08:51
Crashes...so miserable! Sorry to hear that you too are in crash #3. #3 has been the worst for me so far and the longest. Going on 6 months now! As for my boredom feeling being like SSRI-induced apathy....I dont think so. I have not lost much motivation nor do I have too much of a 'who cares' mentality. The boredom is really hard to explain. 8 months ago I would look forward to relaxing at home for an evening. Now it feels like hell when I have nothing to do. And even when I fill the time with something it still feels like a blurry experience of disconnect. Pretty confusing!
Posted by morganator on October 6, 2009, at 0:42:26
In reply to Re: Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xypre, posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 6, 2009, at 0:21:09
Go back to school for something you are passionate about?
Learn an instrument and become obsessed with it?
Volunteer?
One sure bet way to take away scratch your itch is to go to the gym 5 to 6 days a week. If you don't belong to a gym join one. While there do both weight training and cardio. Make sure you do not miss a muscle group and constantly switch things up. Try doing intense cardio for 30 mins as this may expend much of you edgy energy. Interval training is great, it helps your body produce growth hormone(which is starting to drop off at your age) and it is the best way to build up your lungs and strengthen your heart. You can spend a good 2 hours at the gym hanging out, working out, socializing, and people watching. If you don't like the idea of this and the gym isn't your thing, force yourself to do it for a month and you may be surprised how much you enjoy it.
Also, exercise is one of the best ways to increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus-something us depressed patients desperately need.
I used to feel like you do and man I wish I had it again. Now I am a depressed miserable blob.
So, I guess you are bipolar huh? Yeah if you find medications that really help you once again, whatever you do, DO NOT discontinue them just because you think you are better-unless you want to increase your chances of having another break. As you may have already guessed, I am speaking from experience.
Posted by jasmineneroli on October 6, 2009, at 9:58:13
In reply to Re: Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xypre, posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 6, 2009, at 0:21:09
Jonathan, you have almost exactly the same history as me! My crashes have come several months after going med-free, although one was during med-treatment, and another was before any medication. You have my very deep sympathy. I too have had the same list of differing diagnoses over time - so frustrating!
> I have not lost much motivation nor do I have too much of a 'who cares' mentality. The boredom is really hard to explain. 8 months ago I would look forward to relaxing at home for an evening. Now it feels like hell when I have nothing to do. And even when I fill the time with something it still feels like a blurry experience of disconnect. Pretty confusing!
I understand this feeling. For me, it seems that once I go down into a depression, the cycle goes like this: Irritable anxiety - agitated depression that gets out of control within hours then I have rage that I turn on myself, and sometimes self-injure. All of a sudden (with meds or without) I'm lethargic depressed. This is just before I get that "bored" phase. Nothing is exciting or even interesting, and all activities are made just to pass the time, pretty much. I feel like I'm another person doing the actions like a robot, because I know I "ought to". I have conversations with people that are almost like "set pieces" and I hear myself say them, but it's almost like watching a play. I'm detached. Sucks.
Sorry to ramble on like this, but your descriptions rang a bell for me!
I'm not sure if it's a medication response or just part of the illness, because I've had this on several occasions over the years.
Take care.
J
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2009, at 19:41:21
In reply to Re: Depression and Boredom..Emsam, Lamictal, Xyprexa, posted by Jonathan Weaver on October 5, 2009, at 22:13:27
Johnathan I've not read of this with Emsam but no one reacts the same to a med. What other meds have you been on? So sorry for your pain. Love Phillipa
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