Help! Lexapro side effects! - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

MinnesotaNole · 02-14-2007, 03:25 PM

I just started on 20 mg of Lexapro 1X per day and let me tell you the results have been incredible. Generalized anxiety is way down (no more intense tension in the neck, lump in the the throat, heart racing, etc.) and I actually notice my surroundings now and I'm happy about the world around me. I think I was depressed and didn't even realize it. Is it possible to not be aware of your clinical depression?

There is one problem, however. The Lexapro works too well. I'm a college student who graduates this upcoming May and I've lost all motivation to study and get things done. I'm all about procrastination now; I almost feel as if I'm "too happy" to worry about important goals, deadlines, etc (if that makes sense).

Has anyone experienced a loss of motivation from being on SSRI's and what did you do to comabt this side effect?

I've heard that when you boost serotonin in the brain there is a corresponding dampening of dopamine. It's kind of like serotonin going up on the balance scale and dopamine going down. Could this be responsible for the loss of motivation side effects?

steveo23 · 02-14-2007, 07:34 PM

That's great the Lexapro is doing the trick for you. I think it's definately possible to be depressed and not realize, especially if it carries on for some time and you get used it. Depression drastically alters cognition, and impacts people in many different ways. Feeling yourself again and just pretty good in general can make you realize just how low you have been.

The loss of motivation may be because you have just started on the meds; it takes a while for things to settle down, and could just be an initial side effect. Most people experience some reaction. Hopefully it'll pass once your body has fully adapted to the drug. I did experience the same thing on Zoloft, but it went after a few weeks. It really was'nt that bad with me though... it just took me a little longer to get things done.

That's interesting about the dopamine thing, I never knew that. I don't know much about neurobiology (haha, in fact, I dont know anything about it at all). Maybe someone else here knows a bit more about it.

Anyway, it's always good to hear how things do get better for people with OCD/anxiety, and it's great you're on the up. Good luck with the upcoming graduation!

seriousperson · 02-15-2007, 09:21 PM

Side effects are tricky.
It seems we have to do the cost/benefit analysis for ourselves regarding whether the benefits of the medication outweigh the costs.
Then, if it's worth putting up with the costs, try to eliminate them to some degree.
Sometimes that means taking another medication to offset the side effects.
In your case, it may be as simple (or as hard) as realizing the effect (which you've already accomplished) and then doing some self talk to get you past it. Like, "Okay. I'm procrastinating. I will at least go sit in the chair with the book I'm supposed to read. Now I will open the book. Now I will read the first paragraph." and so on.