Posted by River1924 on March 28, 2006, at 1:16:12
In reply to Re: amotivational syndrome, posted by lostforwards on March 26, 2006, at 9:40:05
Five comments (which may or may not apply:)
1) When I first began AD's in the early 1990's, I found them disturbing. Eventually, I realized that I had become so accustomed to depression that "I" felt empty without it. Suddenly a huge chunk of my psychic life and focus was gone. It can take awhile to "get and life" and direct one's interest outward. If one has some obsessive/compulsive tendencies, their reduction can leave one feeling lazy when the behaviors weren't very useful in the first place. Although society loves them, workaholics aren't always very happy... just busy.
2) Sometimes I think people on this board expect too much of meds. ***They won't give one's life meaning but will, sometimes, give one some space aside from depression, to pursue interests/ relationships. In my case, the answer to depression questionare's which asked "are you less happy than you used to be" were problematic and still are. I was a morose worrier (or in better terms, thoughtful and sensitive) even as a child.
3) I agree that, sometimes, drugs create the "ideal" feeling, a gleeful joy and concentration... but, for me it does not last. This personality change is a nice change. In my view, therapy and reading which gave me ideas, insight, healthier relationships and a little boost to courage were necessary in addition to medication.
4) Sometimes, I'll stop my AD and I'll feel more engaged with life and I seem to have more ideas. Meds usually demand a trade-off. Overtime this engagement is overtaken. My tendency to think about suicide and obsess and worry and become frozen with indecision or go into debt buying things and doing things grasping at "happiness" increases. Overtime, I'll decide to go back on meds.
5) For a time, I lived in a zen monastery. I didn't need meds. The supportive community, the direction from schedule and the meditation and processing of emotions... lowered my mental turmoil enormously. But I couldn't see myself there for my whole life. I often wonder if that was a mistake. But that is a decision I live with.... and the society I live in requires a person with my tempermant to take medication. That's disturbing but that's how it is right now.(see: http://www.peterwhybrow.com/books/americanmania/excerpts.html )
Later, River.
poster:River1924
thread:624520
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060322/msgs/625396.html