Anti-depressant with least emotional blunting?

[PointlessExistence]

I have symptoms of so many conditions that I have no idea where to start. My p-docs will give me anything. I basically tell them what I want, which is good and bad.

Right now I'm trying ADHD drugs, but I may try to focus on my depression.

For members here, which anti-depressants worked and didn't cause any-or-much emotional blunting? I've been on sertraline, prozac and wellbutrin. They either caused emotional blunting or just didn't really help much.

 

[The Albatross]

Anti-depressants are synonymous with "emotional blunting" If you've run through a few, perhaps the other models (like therapeutic rather than pharmaceutic) would be beneficial.

 

[PointlessExistence]

Therapy again? Please...no....?

 

[The Albatross]

Hmmm. Pharmaceuticals come with consequences/side effects. Good luck then.

 

[joeylittle]

For members here, which anti-depressants worked and didn't cause any-or-much emotional blunting?

Depends on what kind of "worked" you're looking for. Are you looking for something to lift your mood, or are you looking for something to make the lows less low? Or, are there a specific sort of depressive thoughts and behaviors you're trying to curtail?

Managing expectations is key.

Also, any anti-depressant needs some kind of accompanying action, if you specifically want to lift your mood. If it's not therapy, then it needs to be other kinds of self-care/wellness. How are you doing on that front, generally?

 

[PointlessExistence]

Depends on what kind of "worked" you're looking for. Are you looking for something to lift your mood, or are you looking for something to make the lows less low? Or, are there a specific sort of depressive thoughts and behaviors you're trying to curtail?

I am looking to lift my mood and stop the lows altogether, if that's even possible. Yes, there are depressive thoughts, which lead mainly to apathy and inability to manage my way in the world.

Also, any anti-depressant needs some kind of accompanying action, if you specifically want to lift your mood. If it's not therapy, then it needs to be other kinds of self-care/wellness. How are you doing on that front, generally?

I don't know if I totally agree with you there. I think the meds should be able to at least somewhat of a good effect without therapy. I can never explain what goes on in my head to anyone, much less a therapist/p-doc. Symptoms, actually entire conditions, are on a carousel. They come and go, and when I'm dealing with one, I forget the others even exist.

I'm told I'm resistant to help, and going by my replies, you may agree, not that I see it that way. Other than Andrew Salter's excitation exercises (they stop my negative thoughts but take away another part of me), I have found no type of therapy or exercises that help nor even make sense to me.

 

[Rainman8772]

My p-doc used the shotgun approach. I take Effexor 75mg in the morning along with buspar 10mg. Mid day I take buspar then at night I take remeron10mg buspar and prozosin 4mg. It has worked for me.

 

[PointlessExistence]

@Rainman8772 That is one involved cocktail. I haven't tried remeron or prazosin. I'll have to look into them. Thanks.

 

[joeylittle]

I think the meds should be able to at least somewhat of a good effect without therapy.

By wellness and self-care, I'm talking more about the basics - making sure you're getting physical activity daily, using good sleep hygiene/getting sleep, engaging in a hobby or activity that you enjoy, maintaining personal connections. Depression makes doing these things much more difficult; a medication can give you a leg-up towards building these habits, but keeping them going is quite often the key towards getting really meaningful relief.

That's what I meant by self-care and wellness.

I am looking to lift my mood and stop the lows altogether, if that's even possible. Yes, there are depressive thoughts, which lead mainly to apathy and inability to manage my way in the world.

You could look into Latuda. It might address some of what the Lamictal is currently there for...