Psychotrophic Paradox

[aggle-rithm]

My wife's doctor prescribed a new medication in response to her complaints that she lacked motivation. It was an adjunct to anti-depressant medication she was already on.

The medication worked wonders. She suddenly had a lot more energy, and got a lot more things done during the day than she usually does. However, she soon decided to quit taking the medication. The reason? It made her sleepy.

Here's the paradox: Before, when she wasn't taking the medication, she spent easily twelve hours a day sleeping. While she took the medication, her sleep patterns became much more normal. However, she FELT much sleepier than before.

Clearly, there is a difference between feeling sleepy and feeling like going to sleep. When you're sleepy, it's like being perched on a fence: You can either fall one way, and go to sleep, or the other, and do something productive that wakes you up. Apparently, there is a distinction between being on the fence and actually falling one way or another.

It's like the fence you're falling off of is a different one than the one you're on. I realize that makes no sense, but it describes the paradox well, I think.

Yesterday, she finally weaned herself off the new medication, and, predictably, slept on the couch half the day. But she's no longer sleepy.

 

[volatile]

They prescribe drugs for motivation now? I am having a huge, prolonged motivation crisis at the moment, though I'm certainly not depressed. Think it's worth me having a word with a doctor?

 

[TheDaver]

Sounds like it was actually doing nothing for her, she was acting on placebo effect, and just looking for a reason to go back to being a useless lump.

 

[Dancing David]

Um, ignoring the really not so useful comments, especialy the stigmatic parts.

Psychotropics as discuessed in a current thread effect a specific part of neurotransmission, however the long term effect is to stabalize a symptom.

Without more info I could not make a guess.

If the primary medication is Seroquel or another sedating mood stabalizer then it is a matter of adjustment to that medication that matters and a lower dose might be recomended. If it is another regulating med like for seizures then tolerance is also an issue.

But it depends on the situation, primary diagnosis and then potential for side effects on primary medication.

Now chances are that she might have tolerated the 'feeling sleepy' effect after a while but that a lower dose might have been useful.

Would you be willing to tell me the medications? You can PM me is you like. (I was a mental health worker for 15 years). Most likely being upright just made here aware of a certain physical state is my guess.

 

[aggle-rithm]

They prescribe drugs for motivation now? I am having a huge, prolonged motivation crisis at the moment, though I'm certainly not depressed. Think it's worth me having a word with a doctor?

Lack of motivation is one of the symptoms of depression...in fact, it's probably the most devastatingly insidious symptom, because it prevents the person from doing the things (exercising, socializing) that could improve his/her mood.

Sounds like it was actually doing nothing for her, she was acting on placebo effect, and just looking for a reason to go back to being a useless lump.

Thank you, doctor!

And thank you both for sharing your (check one):

[ ] Rapier-sharp wit
[ ] Abysmal ignorance

 

[aggle-rithm]

My wife's doctor has talked her into trying the medication again. He knows the person who did the trials, so he has some inside information on its efficacy and side effects. He suggested that she take it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only...for some reason, that seems the optimal strategy. (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday won't work, nor will Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday.)

 

[aofl]

My wife's doctor has talked her into trying the medication again. He knows the person who did the trials, so he has some inside information on its efficacy and side effects. He suggested that she take it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only...for some reason, that seems the optimal strategy. (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday won't work, nor will Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday.)

Is her doctor's name by any chance Nick Riviera?

(Now that's rapier sharp wit!)

A