meds and apathy

I was doing some reading on venlafaxine, which I've been taking now for over a year. Apparently one of the side effects is apathy, which I wasn't aware of up until now. My question is, how can you tell how much of your apathy -- of not caring, of not feeling like you can be bothered to do anything -- is related to the depression, and how much is related to the meds? I have been suffering from depression almost three years, and I can't actually remember what "normal" feels like. How much did I used to care? How much effort could I put into things? I vaguely remember feeling engaged and in control of my life, but that was back in high school. I have good days and bad days now. The meds are definitely helping. But I think I might have gone from feeling everything was hopeless to not caring how things turned out one way or another. Not being able to stick with a project or club, not being able to keep up with friends, quitting the gym, not being bothered to do the work for courses that would otherwise have piqued my interest ... I thought it was a matter of will power but I'm starting to wonder if there's more to it. Is this because I'm sick, or because I'm medicated? Is there a way to tell the difference? Has anyone else experienced anything like this before?

Rebecca,
It could be both your depression and your medication causing your apathy. Either way, you dont want to take the chance that it is the medication only. Let you Dr. know. Feel better soon!!!

I wish I knew more about meds, but it sounds like it could be any number of things.

I have experienced apathy, more so a while back and more recently every once and a while I'll "turn off emotionally" but only for a short period of time. I remember that when I was apathetic for several days in a row I was MAJORLY repressing things. So I know it can be caused by repressed feelings.

As far as medications go, I think you should definitely look into it, because it sounds like you might be on to something. Can you make an appointment with your PDoc?

Hi, Rebecca!

It has been a long time since I was able to tease apart the underlying effects of the depression (and other illnesses) and the effects of the various meds I take. I believe it reasonable that the apathy and fatigue I experience come from depression, other problems, AND the meds.

I agree with everyone -- let your doctor know about the apathy and your concern it is due (wholly? in part?) to your specific medications.

Personally, I believe your depression and apathy will not be able to obscure your genius. One way or another, Rebecca is going to shine through.

(((Rebecca)))

I have difficulty envisioning you as apathetic, Rebecca.

Good question! It can be either or both. Bit like the chicken and the egg sometimes! My Pdoc says the same about the cognitive problems I have

I hear you! Nearly 3yrs for me too and I've been searching for 'normality' for so long I can't even remember what it looks/feels like! :s

I have no idea. I'm sorry I have no answers. Instead I wonder the same things. If it's an illness, then why doesn't my treatment (meds & T) help? If it was a 'choice' or a matter of willpower, then why can't I change it - I've never had problems achieving whatever I put my mind too before this (I'm incredibly stubborn! lol) My Mum likes to relate every little dip in my mood to meds (she is very responsive to antidepressants while I'm...not.) and thinks my latest dip/apathy is due to stopping my one med (with pdoc permission) when I think it began over a wk before I stopped the med. A while back I took a med break (with pdoc permission - I'm a good girl!) to see if I could discover what was med side effects, what was 'depression' which helped a bit. Maybe u could talk to your pdoc about this?



*Willow*

I doubt it is a lack of will power.

Rebecca, I'm with Byz...