[Nelliecat]

Does this happen to anyone else? I have been on and off anti-depressants for years and whenever I've taken them previously I feel they lay a veneer of okay-ness over everything and I muddle along, not doing badly but not feeling quite like 'me'.

Since I started T I have such trouble getting all these emotions out there and the only time I find it 'easier' to do this is when I've forgotten to take the meds. I feel numb and nothingy most of the time really.

Don't know if it's just me and not the meds, maybe trust which is an issue of mine is the root of the problem or maybe I'm just finding excuses to not access painful places.

Has anyone got any thoughts on this?

Nelliecat

[beautiful.mess]

I've been thinking about this lately as well. I've been contemplating going off of meds (temporarily?) just so that my T can see me in my "natural" state (which ain't good by the way). I definitely do feel that my meds subdue my emotions and are, in a way, a hindrance on the therapy process. I have trust issues too, btw, so I don't know if meds, or lack thereof is the answer.

[SoupDragon]

[quote=Nelliecat;2063207]
Does this happen to anyone else? I have been on and off anti-depressants for years and whenever I've taken them previously I feel they lay a veneer of okay-ness over everything and I muddle along, not doing badly but not feeling quite like 'me'.

Since I started T I have such trouble getting all these emotions out there and the only time I find it 'easier' to do this is when I've forgotten to take the meds. I feel numb and nothingy most of the time really.

Don't know if it's just me and not the meds, maybe trust which is an issue of mine is the root of the problem or maybe I'm just finding excuses to not access painful places.

Has anyone got any thoughts on this?


Maybe talk to your T and doctor about this? If it is felt it is a hinderance and that it may be beneficial to stop them, at least you can be monitored to make sure you are doing ok. I am the opposite - don't take medication, so sometimes my emotions can be too overwhelming which means I block them and that is an obstacle for me.

I've never felt like my emotions are suppressed by my meds, but I think some people do have that issue. I would talk to your Pdoc about adjusting or changing your meds if this is a problem for you. Every med works a little bit differently. For me, my meds make it possible for therapy to even happen. Without meds I plummet into such deep depression that I am unable to think clearly and work on my issues (because the depression IS the issue when I am that depressed.) Hope you get it figured out.

[Nelliecat]

Me too with the depression. I find myself spiralling into a black whirlpool that I can't get out of and it's a very frightening place. I'm not sure I could consider going without any at all. It's this nothingness I am finding frustrating.

Nelliecat

[karebear1]

When I was on lexapro, I definetly had no emotion- and I was barely on what they would consider a therapeutic dose! Once I went off lexapro, my emotions went nutso, so.... they put me on Cymbalta and it has been really wonderful. I feel emotion (even HAPPINESS), but the negative emotion is very understated and the positive emotion is what I would consider normal for me. I haven't felt this good in 2 years!

Maybe trying a different med would help??

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by Nelliecat

I feel numb and nothingy most of the time really.

Some people do feel this way if they are on an SSRI, for example, Celexa, Prozac, etc. It even has a name: "apathetic recovery." Be sure to tell your pdoc about it so he can change or adjust your medication. He may recommend adding another med to your antidepressant, such as Wellbutrin. Or if you are on an SSRI, he may switch you to an SNRI such as Cymbalta or Effexor.