how to stop apathy

[crystalsphinx]

I have been on a drug cocktail that is adderal, wellbutrin and cipralex for common symptoms of ADHD. How do I stop feeling apathetic, like not caring about anyone but myself? How do I do this without getting depressed? I find that the meds that I am on take away my daily highs and lows. Any suggestions?

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[MarieAngell]

How long have you been taking these meds? Has it been long enough that you feel you’ve gotten to a point of maximum positive effect?

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[Patte Rosebank]

Apathy itself is a symptom of depression—“Loss of interest & pleasure in life, especially with things that you used to enjoy”.  ADHD often has co-morbidities, including depression.  So talk to your doctor & pharmacist about this.

Perhaps you were prescribed Wellbutrin & Cipralex to control your depressive & anxious symptoms.

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I always ask my doctor & pharmacist lots of questions, and consult several *reliable* sources, before starting any new meds.  And I keep a journal of how the med works for me, during the first month after starting a new med, or changing the dose.

Do you know the facts about the meds that you have been prescribed?

Adderal (http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=2074)  is officially an ADHD med, but Cipralex & Wellbutrin are not.

Cipralex (http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=1924) is an SSRI-class antidepressant, which is also sometimes used to treat anxiety.

Wellbutrin (http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=439) is an antidepressant, which is sometimes used off-label for treating ADHD or for helping people to stop smoking.

“Off-label” means that it’s not approved for use in treating these other conditions, but sometimes it works on them.  Doctors who prescribe meds off-label, are generally assumed to do so at their own risk.

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Remember, meds alone won’t treat all of your symptoms.  They’re just the training wheels to help you learn & implement the structures & skills you need.

They won’t necessarily give you the swift kick you need to get started, but they will give you the gentle push you need to keep going.
Also remember that meds for mental issues are never one-size-fits-all.  What works for one person won’t work for everyone who has those symptoms.

You and your doctor must work together through a trial-and-error process to find what works for you.  Ideally, that “doctor” should be a specialist who fully understands ADHD and its co-morbidities —NOT just a family doctor who figures you sound like you have it, and then just prescribes meds from the list of meds for whatever “it” happens to be.

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[crystalsphinx]

Hi Larynxa: I am not so depressed that I don’t get out of bed in the morning!!!! The meds do work for me. They help me function and get things done. Actually there has been a big improvement. Thanks for the response. I have been on many different antidepressants and the ones I am on now seem to work the best– at least that I can tolerate. I am just complaining about a common side effect with these types of pills– people tend to become “deadened” like all the highs and lows are evened out.

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