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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by emmanuel98 on April 10, 2010, at 20:30:05
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » mike0388, posted by Economist on April 10, 2010, at 19:48:00
Maybe this is an issue for therapy rather than for medications.
Posted by bulldog2 on April 11, 2010, at 10:02:43
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by emmanuel98 on April 10, 2010, at 20:30:05
> Maybe this is an issue for therapy rather than for medications.
I would say a fear of people or talking to people is an issue for therapy. If you just are reclusive and don't like people maybe that is just the way you are.
Posted by manic666 on April 11, 2010, at 11:34:02
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by bulldog2 on April 11, 2010, at 10:02:43
do what i do//i have many friends ,but never make arangments to met them//i met them on my terms when an whenever i wish to//if you say your going to parties every weekend you must be the most popular guy in your town//i find this weird to be honest//no one has to go anywhere they dont want because there friends expect it.///say im cool this weekend im chilling on my own//or doing something i want to do without you//whats so hard in that//my friends no me an how i act ,they are still my friend,s//there is something deeper hear
Posted by bulldog2 on April 11, 2010, at 12:03:41
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by manic666 on April 11, 2010, at 11:34:02
> do what i do//i have many friends ,but never make arangments to met them//i met them on my terms when an whenever i wish to//if you say your going to parties every weekend you must be the most popular guy in your town//i find this weird to be honest//no one has to go anywhere they dont want because there friends expect it.///say im cool this weekend im chilling on my own//or doing something i want to do without you//whats so hard in that//my friends no me an how i act ,they are still my friend,s//there is something deeper hear
But what about this situation. You work and have hobbies you enjoy. But you are totally reclusive. You just want to be by yourself not because of a fear of people. You just always want to be by yourself. You really don't like people.
Posted by mbluett on April 11, 2010, at 12:07:21
In reply to Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by Economist on April 10, 2010, at 15:02:48
> Have absolutely no interest in catching up on the lives of my friends. I ask them questions for hours but it just feels like such a chore. It's not supposed to feel this way. I don't even have any emotional reaction to the things they tell me. I have no thoughts or opinions regarding the things they say and must fake a socially-acceptable emotional response every single time. Been like this for two years now.
>
> This pervasive lack of interest applies to activities, too. But my main concern is people right now.
>
> Any meds that helped you fix this? Would like to hear actual experiences with meds that helped you, not suggestions for possible medications to take.
The most effective and fastest acting substance I have used (not abused) as a tool to engage in and enjoy social situations, is GHB, trade name Xyrem. It is only the substance in the word to fall into the class of psychotropics called "Sociabilizers".Here's is an obejective and enlightening piece on GHB: http://www.biopsychiatry.com/ghb/authentic.html
Posted by bulldog2 on April 11, 2010, at 13:06:47
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by mbluett on April 11, 2010, at 12:07:21
> > Have absolutely no interest in catching up on the lives of my friends. I ask them questions for hours but it just feels like such a chore. It's not supposed to feel this way. I don't even have any emotional reaction to the things they tell me. I have no thoughts or opinions regarding the things they say and must fake a socially-acceptable emotional response every single time. Been like this for two years now.
> >
> > This pervasive lack of interest applies to activities, too. But my main concern is people right now.
> >
> > Any meds that helped you fix this? Would like to hear actual experiences with meds that helped you, not suggestions for possible medications to take.
>
>
> The most effective and fastest acting substance I have used (not abused) as a tool to engage in and enjoy social situations, is GHB, trade name Xyrem. It is only the substance in the word to fall into the class of psychotropics called "Sociabilizers".
>
> Here's is an obejective and enlightening piece on GHB: http://www.biopsychiatry.com/ghb/authentic.htmlYears ago I used GBL a precursor to ghb and it was very prosocial. At that time the gbl was legal.
I've have found that high dose neurontin is very pro social. Almost like ghb.
Posted by evenintherain on April 11, 2010, at 13:17:55
In reply to Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by Economist on April 10, 2010, at 15:02:48
I have been having this problem too. I used to find meaning in human relationships, but now I just fake it. In fact, I find everyone either extremely boring or highly irritating.
I tried to explain this to my pdoc, but couldn't really get the idea across. I finally settled on saying i'm highly irritable, and this isn't normal for me. I don't know if I'm experiencing social phobia or not...i try to avoid people if possible, and mostly stay in my room (my roommate drives me crazy and I now pretty much hate him) but also try to go out and see people once a week or so, because in the past it helped with depression. But it hasn't helped at all for the past 6 months or so, it just makes me more aware that there is something wrong. I still like my friends and want to show support for them, but I find the time spent with them is very unsatisfying (and sometimes unbearable) and makes me sad. Maybe it is some extreme form of anhedonia and maybe it is actually Causing social phobia?
I am not on any drugs right now, so can't really suggest anything. This feeling seemed to progress after i weened myself off Cymbalta (during withdrawal i was highly irritable, and the intolerance of people seemed to start at the same time). Since then the only drug I have tried is Parnate, which I unfortunately couldn't tolerate (it didn't seem to help anyway).That write up on GHB was definitely interesting (hardly objective, though, i think).
Posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 14:00:13
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » Economist, posted by SLS on April 10, 2010, at 17:22:34
Hi Economist,
I find Scott's comments (and the entire thread) helpful on parsing out this symptom. Does sound like your lack of interest is depression based. Nardil has been the gold standard.
For my SA, (and depression), stimulant therapy works, though I suspect an maoi could too. Best to you.
> > Interesting. Did Nardil poop out on your after a while?
>
> Yes.
>
> > What was your loss of interest in people like?
>
> It sounds like your loss of interest in people runs parallel with your loss of interest in things in general. This is often a prominent feature of depression. You might be more focused on your lack of interest in people because you had previously found meaning in your relationships with them. It is not necessary to have social anxiety in order to let relationships lapse.
>
> > Were you so depressed that you couldn't hang out with people, or did you simply lose interest in them?
>
> Both. Probably more of the former.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by manic666 on April 11, 2010, at 14:52:16
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » manic666, posted by bulldog2 on April 11, 2010, at 12:03:41
you are right lots of people just prefer there own company//thats cool if you have no interest only in your own world ,nothing wrong with that///a lot of thing,s happen to you in depression,you loose confedence an sparkle ///some times it never return,s///withme i never go on holiday, fly anywhere ,avoid long trips//the anxierty i suffered in the years in the build up to events like holidays an stuff has never left me , so i never trigger them//the not meeting people at set organised events, is a throw of from anxierty..so i run my life round what i want to do, i have a good social life this way//take today i went to the horse raceing with all my family //it was me who suggested it yesterday , notice quick planning not long time arangement..i took benzo with me but didnt need them/// most of my biggest set backs is when i have been away from home, like working away holidays , i never want to visit away from home//my sister lives 180 miles away an although i see her from time to time ,i have never been to her house///the fear of makeing a mental fool of one self is to strong to break///so i am saying ,i dont really do anything i dont want to do// i think this thread where the poster says he has to put on a face for friends even though they dont want to //i just carnt see it ???????you do what you do like, not what you dont like.// no one is offended at the way i tackle life , they no it helps me cope,,sometimes i faulter but hey thats the way it pan,s out
Posted by mike0388 on April 11, 2010, at 15:27:20
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by manic666 on April 11, 2010, at 11:34:02
This post is 100% correct.
Posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 15:54:45
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by manic666 on April 11, 2010, at 11:34:02
I do have a lot of friends from before my anhedonia set in, when my life revolved around parties and socializing. They still continue invite me out every weekend because the "party girl" is the person they remember me to be. For 24 years I never grew up disinterested in people. So if I suddenly stop going out to parties they will notice something is different about me and I'd rather they not be aware of it.
Posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 16:37:40
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » manic666, posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 15:54:45
Irrelevant or not, I'm impressed you can pass so well. Your friends don't even suspect?
I imagine that might complicate things--not having people notice, or if this is the case, wanting to hide the depression....
Posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 17:15:00
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » Economist, posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 16:37:40
"Irrelevant or not, I'm impressed you can pass so well. Your friends don't even suspect?"
I'm surprised, too. At the most, my friends either think I'm bored, tired, slightly quiet, or thinking of some deep problem, all things that normal people do occasionally. My smiles look sincere because I know what a sincere smile ought to look like, with a slight closing of the eyes accompanied by a rise in voice pitch when saying "it's so good to see you". This tactic has allowed me to blend in and even ATTRACT new people towards me.
But I'm not convinced my problem with disinterest is depression. I'm pretty sure it's related to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Posted by mike0388 on April 11, 2010, at 19:46:56
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » manic666, posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 15:54:45
> I do have a lot of friends from before my anhedonia set in, when my life revolved around parties and socializing. They still continue invite me out every weekend because the "party girl" is the person they remember me to be. For 24 years I never grew up disinterested in people. So if I suddenly stop going out to parties they will notice something is different about me and I'd rather they not be aware of it.
I smell a lie.
=x
Posted by conundrum on April 11, 2010, at 20:16:52
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by mbluett on April 11, 2010, at 12:07:21
Sounds interesting but I don't think anything posted on biopsychiatry.com is objective.
Posted by conundrum on April 11, 2010, at 20:20:44
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » manic666, posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 15:54:45
Suffering from anhedonia is nothing to be ashamed of.
Maybe its easier to not go out cuz I'm a guy. Men aren't held to social obligations like girls are. I can pretty much not see friends for months and then start talking to them again like nothing happened. Girls would probably start to think you disliked them or were disloyal or some other nonsense.
Posted by conundrum on April 11, 2010, at 20:21:43
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » floatingbridge, posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 17:15:00
Wait are you schizophrenic?
Posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 21:35:31
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » Economist, posted by mike0388 on April 11, 2010, at 19:46:56
I'm lost here, Mike.
>
> I smell a lie.
> =x
>
>
Posted by kaylabear on April 11, 2010, at 21:44:47
In reply to Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by Economist on April 10, 2010, at 15:02:48
There are differences in axix II and axis I depressions. A narcissistic decompensation is usually indicated by boredom, feelings of futility, and lack of interest as opposed to feelings of worthlessness and guilt that often go along with a more neurotic depression.
Basically if a person doesn't feel "sadness" with depression, it might be beneficial to look into axis II conditions. Medications wouldn't be as helpful if that is the case. Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapy would be your best bet. In contrast, today's psychiatrists normally don't screen for this and seem content with years of medication trials for people who do not benefit.
It sucks either way, but sometimes the search for medication after medication is a distraction or an aspect of psychological denial/lack of insight which keeps people from getting more appropriate treatment...And I think everyone deserves effective treatments...to feel serenity, to have a more fullfilling life.
Posted by conundrum on April 11, 2010, at 21:45:35
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » mike0388, posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 21:35:31
Its funny cuz I would say I have anhedonia but i still like to party sometimes. However I couldn't do it every weekend and there is nothing wrong with that. Most people wouldn't like that. Especially as you get older.
As far as caring about peoples lives i think thats an odd thing to be talking about at a party. Don't you usually joke and talk about light hearted stuff? Last thing I want to talk about is work or something like that.
Posted by kaylabear on April 11, 2010, at 21:54:10
In reply to Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by Economist on April 10, 2010, at 15:02:48
Forgot to answer your question directly - Effexor would be my #1 choice (guess) for the symptoms you described.
Posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 22:28:10
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » Economist, posted by conundrum on April 11, 2010, at 20:20:44
For the past two years I have been accepting every invitation to go out, partly in an attempt to show that my anhedonia is not a result of not "having a life". I can be active with different social plans every weekend, and yet none of this will stir a pleasant emotional response in me. When I'm out and people ask if I'm having fun, the pressure is obviously to say "yes" because a long explanation about not being able to have fun due to anhedonia is just extremely repetitive and burdensome for the whole group to hear. But actually, I've decided that beginning next week I will refuse invitations to go out because it is less stressful for me not to show up than to show up and have to act the entire day. I'm going to be my natural anhedonic self from now on, away from the view of others so they won't have to frustrate themselves with trying to "cheer me up". My friends and family need to understand and accept that anhedonia is simply a part of my life now, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
Regarding schizophrenia -- I have annual periods where I start hallucinating and having delusions of grandeur and persecution, followed by a visit to the hospital whenever someone notices my behavior is off. The first time this ever happened, I was diagnosed schizophrenia. However subsequent doctors have told me I am too high-functioning to be schizophrenic -- my memory is extremely sharp, I groom myself well, and I don't have the speech or thought disturbances normally associated with schizophrenia. Still, I personally agree with the first diagnosis. I may not have the cognitive problems but I sure as hell have the negative symptoms -- anhedonia being the worst of them.
Posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 22:37:58
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by conundrum on April 11, 2010, at 21:45:35
"As far as caring about peoples lives i think thats an odd thing to be talking about at a party. Don't you usually joke and talk about light hearted stuff?"
Usually the first thing you do ask ask what they've been up to since you last saw them. Then you proceed with the joking and light-hearted stuff. I have no instinct to do either one.
There has never been a moment since 2008 (after my first psychotic episode happened) where I wanted to go out to meet my friends.
Posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 22:56:35
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people?, posted by kaylabear on April 11, 2010, at 21:44:47
For the record, at the request of my mother, I do see a talk-therapist now. Very pointless though, as I have no thoughts in mind and find nothing interesting to talk about. There is nothing for the therapist to work on because my feelings simply don't exist. I have no desire, no guilt, no anger, no sadness. I am simply waiting for the therapist to run out of questions. Not that I would have anything more interesting to do if I weren't sitting in her office answering questions. So it doesn't matter to me either way if we spend the entire hour just sitting in silence. I am just using up my insurance benefits so she can have business.
Posted by mike0388 on April 11, 2010, at 23:02:41
In reply to Re: Any med that made you gain interest in people? » kaylabear, posted by Economist on April 11, 2010, at 22:56:35
I think your trying to tell your doctor you have no problems, just lack of interest, but only you know your problems.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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