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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
Could anyone let me know if they have experienced isolation while
on EffexorXR? I have been taking this since July 99 and have absolutely
no interest in being around people. In fact, I dislike most people immensely.
I work at home and I am alone almost all of the time. I don't like to interact
with other people. Too much trouble. This could be a side effect of EffexorXR
or it could be from having too many panic attacks and anxiety in the past.I can't decide whether to tell my doctor, because I really like the way
things are right now. I am enjoying my life more because I am not involved
with other people and I am thinking more for myself. But most people do think
this is not "normal".Any advice appreciated. I do not want to change my meds because I am not as depressed, nervous and I don't have disabling vascular tension headaches right now. Boots
Posted by S. Howard on November 9, 2000, at 11:51:51
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
I would think that the Effexor has little to do with it. I feel exactly as you do, including panic attacks and social anxiety, and I don't take Effexor. My pdoc prescribed Paxil but it's had no effect. It was my idea to quit my regular job and try working for a temp company, thinking that exposing myself to different people all the time would help me get used to social interaction.
Well, it's been hell for me. I hate it.
If you're enjoying your life, I wouldn't change a
thing. I think the people that need help with social isolation are those that want friends but can't make them. If that's not your problem, you don't have a problem. Who cares what other people think? -SGH
Posted by JohnB on November 9, 2000, at 14:26:14
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
This can be OK for the short run, but most research suggests that it may not be a great long-term strategy. You might consider doing a search of previous posts on this board and on the web of Social Anxiety disorder, in case you become dissatisfied with your situation at a future time. For instance, there was a guy named Rick, who posted here about some solutions he found last June or July. However, there are people who prefer to be alone and can thrive, it's up to you.
Posted by stjames on November 9, 2000, at 14:48:22
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
> I can't decide whether to tell my doctor, because I really like the way
> things are right now.James here....
It is not a good idea to not discuss things things with your doc. I don't see the point in
paying money to get better and not being upfront
with your doc. AD's do in some cause "flat affect"
or having no or a limited range of feelings. Your doc can help you with this.james
Posted by stjames on November 9, 2000, at 14:53:58
In reply to Re: Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by stjames on November 9, 2000, at 14:48:22
Opps, I just reread your post and relized I totally misunderstood it. The real question is
"are you happy in your life ?" I think it would be good to discuss this with your doc so he can help you decide if this is a good thing or not.
It does not matter what other people think, only
you live your life.james
Posted by Hannah on November 9, 2000, at 15:37:50
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
Boots Effexor XR had the opposite effect on me, but I was wondering if it could have just reduced some anxiety that you felt about living up to societal expectations re socializing,etc. I don't understand if this behaviour is new or if it is old behaviour and just doesn't bother you anymore. If you're enjoying your life and thinking for yourself, that sounds good to me. But it wouldn't hurt to ask the doc how he sees it. A second opinion so to speak, but it's your opinion that counts in the end.
> Could anyone let me know if they have experienced isolation while
> on EffexorXR? I have been taking this since July 99 and have absolutely
> no interest in being around people. In fact, I dislike most people immensely.
> I work at home and I am alone almost all of the time. I don't like to interact
> with other people. Too much trouble. This could be a side effect of EffexorXR
> or it could be from having too many panic attacks and anxiety in the past.
>
> I can't decide whether to tell my doctor, because I really like the way
> things are right now. I am enjoying my life more because I am not involved
> with other people and I am thinking more for myself. But most people do think
> this is not "normal".
>
> Any advice appreciated. I do not want to change my meds because I am not as depressed, nervous and I don't have disabling vascular tension headaches right now. Boots
Posted by tenuous on November 9, 2000, at 16:15:00
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
I agree with most of what you said: most people are not worth dealing with and I too prefer to avoid them as much as possible. I truly enjoy the company of my immediate family and I do not feel deprived because I currently have no friends outside of my family. I also must listen to the well-intentioned comments of others who insist that I could not possibly be content keeping my own company. But I have a VERY different view of friendship than most other people; I detest the shallow relationships that most people pass off as friendships. When I meet a kindred spirit, THEN I'll invest my time and energy in a friendship. Until then, I'm happy with my family, the internet, and a good book.
Posted by Cindy W on November 9, 2000, at 22:54:42
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
> Could anyone let me know if they have experienced isolation while
> on EffexorXR? I have been taking this since July 99 and have absolutely
> no interest in being around people. In fact, I dislike most people immensely.
> I work at home and I am alone almost all of the time. I don't like to interact
> with other people. Too much trouble. This could be a side effect of EffexorXR
> or it could be from having too many panic attacks and anxiety in the past.
>
> I can't decide whether to tell my doctor, because I really like the way
> things are right now. I am enjoying my life more because I am not involved
> with other people and I am thinking more for myself. But most people do think
> this is not "normal".
>
> Any advice appreciated. I do not want to change my meds because I am not as depressed, nervous and I don't have disabling vascular tension headaches right now. BootsBoots, I take Effexor-XR 375 mg/day, along with some Serzone and Seroquel, and haven't found that it influenced my social isolation (I'm probably an Avoidant Personality). I was more outgoing when I was taking a large dose of Serzone, but have found that since I started taking Seroquel along with Effexor (which makes my sleep MUCH BETTER), I'm getting a little less isolated and have started being more social and friendly to other people. I'd talk about it with your pdoc, and see what he/she suggests.--Cindy W
Posted by Boots on November 10, 2000, at 14:06:11
In reply to Re: Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by S. Howard on November 9, 2000, at 11:51:51
Thanks for all of your comments. They have helped me feel better.
I probably have had this problem before Effexor, but I felt socially pressured
to get friends which is usually what therapists and support groups urge you
to do. I appreciate some of your comments about doing what I want and what makes me
happy. Taking Effexor has probably helped with my emotional problems of worrying about
what other people think and feeling guilty about so many things. Effexor XR does seem
to help me be less emotional, when I used to be over emotional about everything.If I look at it that way, it is actually a lot of relief to not feel so much pressure to
do all of these suggestions that others have for depressed people. Sometimes I do think it
would be nice to have someone to talk to, but I go to a therapist that I really like and I call
my mother every day. She is a very loving and caring mother and my best friend.
I also like writing and reading on this board. It seems to help not to have the pressure of
talking about problems face to face and is much simpler.I might feel differently later, but this is working for me right now.
Posted by Trinitee on November 12, 2000, at 13:19:33
In reply to Re: Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by tenuous on November 9, 2000, at 16:15:00
Until then, I'm happy with my family, the internet, and a good book.
I have very few "kindred spirits" and dont even enjoy my family for the most part and i've been on an assortment of drugs ona nd off for the last six years. i have so little time to myself that when my kids are gone i tend to hole up--not always a good thing but i PREFER it...my sister moved in and we ARE kindred spirits and i enjoy her co..she understands me and vice versa..i was on effexor xr for about six months--just now coming off and i didnt have that "problem" if you will
ames
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 13, 2000, at 7:32:23
In reply to Isolation and social withdrawal on EffexorXR, posted by Boots on November 9, 2000, at 9:47:27
I'ver had quite a few problems like this on Effexor... the lower the dose, the more it seemed to effect me. I was hvaing panic attacks, and was generally terrified of people... But when my dose was raised to 300mg / day, and the doc added 25mg Thiorizadine (an anti-psychotic) it definately eased. Now, 4 months on, I am socialising well, and enjoying catching up with all my friends again.
Speak to your doc, and maybe a short term increase in dose will help.
Nikki
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