Apathy

[gerg]

I have been taking 60ml of fluoxetine for 7 years now. Recently I started to gain some weight and I wanted to know how my medications affected weight issues. There is a lot of possibilities out there.

The last few times that I have gone in for a medication check up I have discussed my difficulty with motivation. It seemed like the motivation was a trade off for feeling less anxiety and depression, so I never changed my medications. If it is not broken, don’t fix it. Since then my motivation has dropped more and I felt like that was the cause of my weight gain.

I did some research and found that my issues may be related to long term SSRI use. There are several different names that are used; SSRI Induced Apathy Syndrome, SSRI Induced Emotional Blunting, or combined as SSRI Induced Indifference Syndrome. Each is defined a little different by different sources.

I find it interesting that these syndromes can cause depression and anxiety type symptoms. In some cases medications are increased to reduce the symptoms and a vicious circle is created. The apathy can make you depressed or anxious because you don’t get things done. Reducing activity is definitely going to affect mental health issues.

So I have a check up in 2 weeks and this is going to be #1 on the agenda. I know that medications can affect us differently over time and I think that I am seeing that with this medication. SSRI’s have made me feel flat in the past, but I always felt it more than I do. This time the medication just makes me feel okay with the flatness, that’s some powerful stuff.

I think that I am ready to handle the change, in the past medication changes were not appealing. I am going to do this with my doctor so that I am safe. I really hope that I can get my ambition back.

[Hidden]

Hi very interesting I would be interested to hear your thoughts after your appointment.

Have you tried a SRNI in the past.

[gerg in reply to Hidden]

I have not tried an SRNI.

[hlangdon]

i'm on 30mg of prozac and i have gained weight also since I started back in September. My primary dr told me to check with my psychatrist to change medications due to the weight gain. I"m also diabetic

[knew]

Hi Gerg, My son was on an SSRI, the generic for Prozac, and I noticed right away that he was very apathetic. In some respects, I think it made the depression and anxiety worse because he just didn't care to do anything and didn't realize it. This is similar to what you are experiencing, I believe. You notice it so that is good.

My son wouldn't leave the house, go to any doc appointments, etc. He was so apathetic, he just didn't care about anything and slept for 12+ hours. I don't think this is a "treatment" plan and sent a note to his psychiatrist, but my son missed his appointment and didn't reschedule. Anyway, I hope that you can get your meds changed or titrate down so you get feelings again. I know that the feelings can be negative but having feelings is better than not having feelings, IMO.