Posted by Kari on November 20, 2002, at 8:55:36
In reply to Re: Antipsychotics » Kari, posted by Dinah on November 19, 2002, at 15:03:38
Hi Dinah,
I guess that as far as meds are concerned, there is a lot more mystery than knowledge. Certain meds can be assumed to affect certain neurotransmitters but that may not be their main mode of action. Side effects, however, seem to be more concrete.
Linkadge wrote a good explanation about the way dopamine works in Parkinson's and schizophrenia. Perhaps the reduction of dopamine in other areas of the brain in which this effect is not needed is responsible for the parkinsonism induced by APs. This lack of specification may also explain the psychotic symptoms induced by drugs which treat Parkinson's.
When you say there was an "on/off" switch of emotions with Risperdal, are you referring to mood swings or to transient symptoms of emotional blunting? Do you still take this med? Have you noticed any positive effects?
I assume that a "dopamine excess" can cause overstimulation resulting in emotional blunting and that dopamine blockers can change this, as I have seen this effect in me and have heard of it in others.
What effect have you noticed with SSRIs? Do you feel blunted on them?
poster:Kari
thread:128002
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/128435.html