Lexapro and Lack of motivation

[anne9900]

Hi, I am a 23 year old woman currently taking 10 mg of Lexapro a day. I've been on it for 2 years and my panic attacks and major depression has subsided. However, I am still feeling a major lack of motivation and disinterest in activities that used to engage me. I am able to go about my life which involves substantial responsibilities (I'm a psychology graduate student) and still have an active social life but I do not feel the "love for life" that I felt before the depression and medication. I am wondering if this could be a side effect of the medicine or if it is a residual of my major depressive episode. If anyone has had these symptoms while on Lexapro, advice/thoughts would be much appreciated.

[treace]

hello,
after taking Lexapro for about 8 months I noticed that I was very disinterested in everything. I didn't have the energy for anything. The things that used to be fun for me were a chore. I was taking 10mg. for two months, then increased to 40 for two more months, and then to fifty for two more months. By christmas this last year, 2005, I felt so bad. I felt worthless, like my life was meaningless. My psychiatrist couldn't see me so I went to an urgent care facility and found out that the maximum dosage is usually 20mg for an adult. I couldn't believe it. It was making me suicidal. So I finally got in to see my regular psychiatrist and really didn't care to take me off of it. I told her I wanted to go off of it but she only decreased it to 40mg. I tried to quit cold turkey but the withdrawals are really bad so I have decided to do it slowly. I am feeling better now that I know what is going on. Before finding out about the Lexapro and the dangers of it I thought that I was going crazy. I hope that this has been a little bit helpful for you. I am sure the stuff makes everyone feel differently. It definitly made me feel blah!
Treace

Theresa Ralston

[John Bourque]

Hi. I'm a 54 year old male and I had a small stroke (no such thing) in August of 2005. I didn't lose the use of anything, and have still most of the feelings on the side (left) of the stroke. I was put on 10 mg of Lexapro while still in the hospital and almost started climbing the walls when I came home after the first week. I had to start taking Xanax (.5mg)twice a day to offset the extreme anxiety it gave me, but I also lost interest in most everything. I'm an active person who does a lot of customer interaction supporting computers. I have since changed meds, and am unfortunately still having problems, which I'm working with my physciatrist on, but wanted you to know that the loss of interest was something I also felt . Maybe you should consider a change of meds, and doctor if you don't feel happy. 23 is too young to be 'blah'without trying other stuff. I also have issues with depression and anxiety....don't give up, there are new meds everyday which may be able to help you...good luck!!........John

[anne9900]

Thanks for your responses, it helps to know that there are others who are feeling like me... I just cut back to 5mg a few days ago and haven't really noticed any changes yet but I know it takes a few weeks to get out of your system. I am going to make an appointment with a psychiatrist for next week and see what they recommend.