[struggling931]

Has anyone ever heard of this? I've just increased my fluoxetine (Prozac) and Provigil and I think I'm experiencing a "higher level of functioning" but I can't help wondering if that's because of "emotional blunting"--bad stuff just doesn't bother me as much. But at the same time, I'm less motivated to actually *do* stuff, now that I feel more able to do so.

Is there any way to overcome this? (Besides switching to a new med--I read in one online post that Effexor is known for *not* having this effect.)

[ECHOES]

I felt the emotional blunting, dullness of Prozac. When I realized I couldn't cry I didn't like it. Even though I was depressed and feeling like a "good cry" would make me feel better, I couldn't make it happen. I decided then to go without meds.

Good luck to you. I hope you find what works very well for you!

When I was on Wellbutrin... I felt good.. very good.. like me.. with all my emotions.. yet didn't feel uptight..

But... I also as the weeks went by... didn't feel motivated to do anything....so.. I decided... wasn't worth it.. that was years ago...

good luck...

[blue_roses]

i had never heard of SSRI Amotivational Syndrome but this is exactly how i feel most of the time! i just thought it was the depression. never given any thought to it being a side effect of the drugs.

one thing i've noticed over the years while on medication is my inability to lose weight. i just can't seem to get aggrevated enough with myself to stick to a diet. it just doesn't bother me enough to care. so instead i keep gaining and gaining! i always could lose weight before. wonder if this has anything to do with that?

thanks for the asking the question.

i hope you are able to find some answers!

luv,
lily

[Artsaveslives]

I took 60 mg of Prozac for a couple of years and gradually felt the most intense fatigue imaginable. It felt like my energy core was melted down, my pilot light was out. I would rather sleep than do ANYTHING. I was simply nonfunctional. Eventually, I experienced severe muscle and joint pain, too. I thought it was my Hep C, but the doctor just shrugged. Being a doctor who loves to throw drugs, he prescribed Ritalin to wake me up, which seemed like a Bandaid approach to me. I was desperately desperate to shake these symptoms. I decided to see what would happen if I stopped the prescribed drugs and found that tapering off the Prozac made my fatigue disappear. I haven't felt that level of extreme tiredness and exhaustion again. Sertraline made me a bit destroyed, but nothing like Prozac. Now, I'm taking nothing for depression, which leaves me super depressed and suicidal, but at least I can make it to the coffee shop.

[BalishBun]

My grandma years and years ago tried anti-deppressants but SSRI's worked against her body, and she just didn't care. She said the meds made her so numb, she wouldnt get upset over anything, but it also made her so numb she wouldnt care about anything.

[thalia_]

I've had the same on Zoloft. A close friend also. Also I was in group therapy with someone who was on an SSRI at a high dose and was severely blunted. Totally turned off. She was "fine" she just didn't have any strong - or even normal - emotions. She never did anything. Never moved forward in any way. It drove me crazy because her therapist told her it couldn't be the antidepressant - that that was impossible - and it had to be residual depression or some psychological defense mechanism. And obviously, he was the expert so that was that. Sure it *could* be depression, and it *could* be a defense mechanism (or another disorder like prodromal schizophrenia I suppose) - but I spent hours and hours with this woman and it didn't look like any of those things to me. It looked like what SSRIs can do.

[PoppyDolly]

I had been prescribed every antidepressant known to man for years and years. (even Lithium at one point, which made me feel 'dead') Always gained weight and loss of energy and motivation to do ANYTHING were terrrible. Have been off meds for about 6 yrs. Thought after my last abusive relationship, if I could survive that, I didn't need medication. At this point, I am SEVERELY depressed, suicidal ideation, and would take ANYTHING to feel even a little better. Can't concentrate. Crying constantly. I'm a full time student in pursuit of an associate's degree and cannot do my coursework.... Anyway, the last thing I was on was Wellbutrin, I think. No bad side effects that I can remember. Trying to get to a doctor, but getting there and getting the paperwork looks like a mountain too steep to climb. I have GOT to get some help tomorrow or well..... I just can't go on like this. Thanks for listening.