Hi Sea Cue - Honest, I am not avoiding you; I am not online every day. I am trying to live in the real world and use the internet as a tool, rather than as a entertainment source. I will only be checking in sporatically, but at least once a week.

I don't think adding Ativanª (lorazepam) to Paxilª (paroxetine) or Risperdalª (risperidone) will cause depression, per se. Some side effects can happen that may mimic some symptoms of depression.

Paxil, with it's abiity to block muscarinic receptors can cause drowisness and lethargy; while Risperdal can cause anxiousness because it can sometimes cause akathisia. The Ativan is a CNS depressant so it can intensify both of these effects, thus looking like it is causing depressive symptoms.

One way around this is to either slightly decrease the amount of Ativan that you are taking per dose, or to decrease slightly the number of total doses taken in a week. This usually seems to bring back the energy that can be lost with the use of benzodiazepines.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

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