Opinions - SSRI Help (w/ Depression & Anxiety)

[RealGanjaMan]

SWIM... well, I guess no need for that here... I am currently on prozac 20mg/day, and I have been on it for about two or three months now. In the first month I felt a slight difference but now I am asking myself if it was placebo or not. I just felt less of a need to be down about things and I became more cynical but less caring. In other words, it didn't matter that everything sucked. I'm still not sure if this was placebo or not. But now, I don't feel anything at all. Also, prozac never really did much for my social anxiety, which is what I originally started taking it for. I think that most of my depression stems off of social anxiety, so that is really what I want to figure out.


So my questions sum up to:

• What should I try?
• What has worked for you or swiy?
• Which SSRI's specialize in Social Anxiety?
• What is your or swiy's experience with Prozac?

Thanks,
-RGM

[kareena]

Social anxiety is a particuarly unpleasant monster to grapple with, I know, and have sympathy for all those doing battle with it.
The only drugs that have FDA approval for treatment of social anxiety are venlafaxine (effexor), sertraline (zoloft) and paroxetine (paxil).
SSRI type drugs seem to work very well for some but cause nothing but misery for many so it's a matter of trying things out if that's what SWIY wants to do. Many users complain of "not giving a shit" syndrome, that's for sure.
An older class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as phenelzine (nardil), appear to be very efficacious in treating social anxiety. Some research on MAOIs will put SWIY off but they seem a good choice for some.
The only thing that has worked to any extent for SWIM (withouit trying MAOIs) are benzos on occassion. However, although not used lightly, SWIM isn't too happy with benzos as they are not a cure, only mask the problem and basically come with more problems than they are worth for many (tolerance, dependance, worst-addiction-in-the-world kind of thing).
Some kind of therapy such as CBT involving exposure is one of the methods that may provide permanant results. Well worth a go but it doesn't work for everyone SWIM tells me.

Reputation Comments on this post:

thank you, your reply was very helpful

[RealGanjaMan]

Thanks kareena,

I will be heading to a psychiatrist sometime to talk all of this over... I'll mention some of medication you spoke of.

-RGM

[insidiousvertigo]

SWIM has been on the SSRI Lexapro for a long time. He would never recommend it to anyone, as it has caused SWIM to have very dulled emotions, and the symptoms for which he is taking the SSRI have not really been reduced. SWIM believes that many of these anxiety problems can be worked out in the head without medication. Good luck with everything!

Reputation Comments on this post:

thanks for your reply in my SSRI post :]

[RealGanjaMan]

Thanks vertigo for the reply.

I know (and have heard many times) that medication will not resolve much on its own.

However, I have had terrible experiences with therapy in the recent past. I was involved in a "therapuetic scam" and basically it was just not fun. There was a lot of trust broken and a lot of bullshit fed and really I would just like to stay away from western therapy for a while.

Maybe in a year or two I will be able to go back, I'm just not sure yet.


Anyways, thanks for the replies, and if anyone else has any SSRI experience to share it would be greatly appreciated

-RGM

[SpaceCadetGlow]

SWIM, like GanjaMan, has somewhat severe social anxiety, and believes that nearly all of his other ailments (depression, excessive sweating, irritable bowel, substance abuse) stem from this anxiety. SWIM has been placed on several medications, ranging from anti-psychotics such as Geodon and Abilify, to mood-stabilizers such as depakote and trileptal, to SSNRI's like Wellbutrin, to SSRI's e.g. Paxil and Lexapro, and finally to Benzodiazepines like Klonopin and Ativan.

The only prescribed drugs that ever positively affected SWIM were the SSRI's Paxil and Lexapro, and the benzodiazepine Klonopin. However, the relief these drugs provided was either inadequate or very temporary. The SSRI's make SWIM feel psychologically numb and unsatisfied with life, and their relief is very limited and hardly detectable. The benzodiazepines, taken daily as prescribed, work very well for about a month or two. After two months of daily use SWIM doesn't notice anything, except for mental fogginess and a nasty sort of amnesia.

SWIM has found that opiates/opioids, particularly oxycodone, provide the best anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects, bar none. SWIM is nearly completely independent of the SSRI's and benzo's. He self-medicates with either oxycodone or hydrocodone when he can, although he acquires the drugs illegally. SWIM reccomends that GanjaMan research the anti-depressant effects of opiates and the use of opiates in psychiatry today. SWIM plans to discuss the opiate theory with his doc in a few weeks.

Hope this helps.

[splish6]

Originally Posted by RealGanjaMan

I have had terrible experiences with therapy in the recent past. I was involved in a "therapuetic scam" and basically it was just not fun. There was a lot of trust broken and a lot of bullshit fed and really I would just like to stay away from western therapy for a while.

I'm curious about what happened. Can you elaborate?

[Broshious]

Looks like it's time for me to plug Gabapentin again. Good for both anxiety and depression for me. Works from day 1 unlike the ShitSRIs.

[BobTheGreat]

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37810

A link to a study showing social anxiety may be caused by a dopamine defeciency. Also social anxiety sucks it hard.

[thisaintjohn]

SWIM doesn't think taking SSRI's for anxiety is a good idea... Swim has social anxiety and after being on Citalopram for two months, he noticed the anxiety didn't get any better, maybe worse because of increased paranoia. Although the depression did get better, but Swim hated the sexual side effects, and I mean HATED them. Also, Swim's doctor said they would increase energy and motivation, it did the opposite. Swim would advise Swiu to ask the shrink about Cognitive behavioral therapy as mentioned by kareena. Also, Swim would like to add that weed increases anxiety, and paranoia in some people, it sure did with Swim! Benzos are addictive and SWIU will have an even harder time coping with daily life when SWIU is off them. SSRI's are very crappy and not worth the "permanent" side effects after long-term use. Try seeing a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, and see what he can do for you. I wish you luck man. Remember pal, it's all in your head!

[Negcreep]

Hi, SWIMs been on SSRIs and other antidepressants for Anxiety (GAD) on and off for the past 5 years or so. SWIMs tried Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, Reboxetine, and Mirtazapine. SWIMs had real success with citalopram and escitalopram in reducing my anxiety. After 6months - 1 year on these drugs SWIM can almost say that SWIMs been anxiety free, or have anxiety levels of a normal person. For a while it really was great. But throughout the whole treatment SWIMs always had sexual dysfunction problems, which have caused SWIM to discontinue taking the meds a few times now. The sexual functioning has always returned , but unfortunetly so have SWIMs anxiety symptoms , in full force within 6 months of stopping. Other problems like emotional blunting have also become apparent over time.
Its looking like SWIM doesnt really have much choice but to stay on the drugs at the moment. Luckily SWIM has a really understanding girlfriend.
Anyways just wanted to say that these drugs can sometimes really make a positive difference to a persons life, SWIM has a friend on escitalopram who doesnt have any sexual dysfunction! (bastard).
SWIM is currently pinning their hopes on a new drug currently in phase III trials, Agomelatine. Look it up it really does sound too good to be true.
Fingers crossed.

[upperdecker]

Originally Posted by RealGanjaMan

SWIM... well, I guess no need for that here... I am currently on prozac 20mg/day, and I have been on it for about two or three months now. In the first month I felt a slight difference but now I am asking myself if it was placebo or not. I just felt less of a need to be down about things and I became more cynical but less caring. In other words, it didn't matter that everything sucked. I'm still not sure if this was placebo or not. But now, I don't feel anything at all. Also, prozac never really did much for my social anxiety, which is what I originally started taking it for. I think that most of my depression stems off of social anxiety, so that is really what I want to figure out.



So my questions sum up to:

• What should I try?
• What has worked for you or swiy?
• Which SSRI's specialize in Social Anxiety?
• What is your or swiy's experience with Prozac?

Thanks,
-RGM

Have you thought about Benzodiazepines or MAOI's? SWIM have pretty severe social phobia/depression. The only thing that really worked was Clonazepam, but that only worked for a couple months, now SWIM's stuck on it and Benzo. withdrawal is very unpleasant. SWIM would suggest you try the MAOI route and try Nardil (which is the best med. for social phobia besides benzodiazepines). SWIM himself might try this medication, its just that there's a pretty strict diet you have to follow when taking MAOI's and SWIM doesn't know if he'll be able stick to the diet. Goodluck.

[BobTheGreat]

Originally Posted by RealGanjaMan

So my questions sum up to:

• What should I try?
• What has worked for you or swiy?
• Which SSRI's specialize in Social Anxiety?
• What is your or swiy's experience with Prozac?

Thanks,
-RGM

Swim has been on clonzepam for about two years now. He is currently in the process of getting off them and it is hard. DONT GET ON BENZODIAZIPINES UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

Swim has a new strategy: just dont give a fuck. Who cares what others think of you? If you cant approach a girl to pick up, just do it. The worst she can say is no so screw her and find another. Practice makes perfect. After a while you dont feel anxious or at least it doesnt criple your life.

[splish6]

Originally Posted by BobTheGreat

Swim has a new strategy: just dont give a fuck. Who cares what others think of you? If you cant approach a girl to pick up, just do it. The worst she can say is no so screw her and find another. Practice makes perfect. After a while you dont feel anxious or at least it doesnt criple your life.

That's a good strategy, but if everyone could be cured by just reading a paragraph of advice, well, that would just be too good to be true. Too good to be true...

[BobTheGreat]

Im not saying its easy and it is a long road to get to that point but it beats being dependent on drugs all your life.