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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Else on December 4, 2001, at 12:44:46
I've been struggling from a lack of drive/motivation/enthusiasm for several years now. This is a problem that ressembles depression but even when I feel OK I still desperately lack motivation. This is most obvious during the holiday seasons when doing things other people seem to enjoy doing (having people over, buying presents, eating good food...) always feels like a chore. I hate this. No anti-depressant has ever been helpful and I have tried lots. I read somewhere that this had to do with impaired dopamine function but I am on 60mg of Ritalin a day and it doesn't seem to be helping. I have lost all interest in sex a couple of years ago and it doesn't look like my libido is coming back any time soon even though I am only 26.
I have read that MAOIs produced "recovery with delight" unlike other ADs. Maybe delight is what is missing here. One thing that does make me enthusiastic however (the only thing) is alcohol. I find that sedative-hypnotics that produce disinhibition are key here. I felt the same way when I first started taking clonazepam, before I developped a tolerance to this particular effect (disinhibition, that is). Is anybody familliar with this correlation between disinhibition and drive? Have any studies been made? I am quite curious about this.
Posted by Twain on December 5, 2001, at 8:40:40
In reply to Sedative-Hypnotics, Disinhibition Enthusiasm, posted by Else on December 4, 2001, at 12:44:46
Hi,
I know what you're talking about when you describe lack of motivation and using alcohol to disinhibit yourself and discover something worthwhile to do. I can't count the projects I've started or, at least, dreamed up while drinking that I quickly abandoned.
Posted by Else on December 5, 2001, at 13:38:24
In reply to Re: Sedative-Hypnotics, Disinhibition Enthusiasm » Else, posted by Twain on December 5, 2001, at 8:40:40
Hi Twain,
Thank you for your input but I think you may have mis-interpreted me. I am not currently self-medicating with alcohol for apathy. I was using alcohol for atrocious PMS symptoms but I stopped mostly because it takes a massive amount of booze to get even a slight improvement in my mood and also because I feel a billion times worse after.It's true that alcohol peps me up but I don't use it for that purpose because I know people realise I am drunk and don't take me seriously and also because it produces disastrous results when combined with clonazepam (black-outs for example). Anyway, I was more interested in reading about studies about neuro-transmitters and stuff like that. But thank you anyway and the best to you.
> Hi,
>
> I know what you're talking about when you describe lack of motivation and using alcohol to disinhibit yourself and discover something worthwhile to do. I can't count the projects I've started or, at least, dreamed up while drinking that I quickly abandoned.
>
> Have you read "Seven Weeks to Sobriety" by Larson? It is a biochemical approach to alcoholism that identifies the type of alcoholic and prescribes a nutritional and dietary program that includes alot of supplements - some, like tryptophane, that aren't available in the USA.
>
> Sometimes adding something insignificant, like omega3 oil, can make a huge difference. When I followed the program I felt better but, for me, that's reason to drink.
>
> The only time I've ever really felt good or "at home" was drunk or on acid.
>
> Now, I muck through with Wellbutrin and Neurotin. Add to that, meditation or prayer, and I usually have enought Peace to stay sober.
This is the end of the thread.
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