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.
Does Lexapro cause lack of motivation?
Question posted by anne9900 on 7 Jan 2006
Last updated on 20 October 2022
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
35 Answers Page 3
jennyann
7 Oct 2009
Hi anne9900!
I was on Lexapro 10mg for anxiety and panic attacks. I took it for 6 weeks and stopped because of all the side effects. This drug caused me to be unmotivated about pretty much everything. I'm married with 3 kids and I'm a stay at home mom. I have always been very high energy, and ready to tackle most anything. Until Lexapro kicked in. The 1st week on it, I ran a half marathon I trained really hard for. I have run 3 times since that race. Lexapro made me tired, lazy, hungry and very "blah" for lack of a better description.
Long story short, my Dr said the Lexapro sent me into depression and advised me to taper off ASAP! Well, I didn't taper, I just quit cold turkey. Luckily, I haven't had the side effects many people talk about. I had so many side effects from this drug, that I would rather have anxiety and panic attacks than feel numb and not care about anything.
Good luck to you. Please see your Dr and tell him EVERY single thing you are feeling. I hope you feel better soon!
darkorbit
17 March 2018
Did your doctor give you instructions on how to taper off of it? I am wanting to get off but I read the side effects would wish you were dead.
Any help would be appreciated.
coondog
28 Sep 2009
Hang in there, Anne! :)
I am currently on Lexapro 20 mg. The lower dose initially helped me with the sadness and depression, but eventually the doctor raised it to the 20 mg due to symptoms returning. At first it was ok, but in the past 3 months I too am experiencing the symptoms you described. They kind of sneak up on a person and before you know it - WHAM - you are feeling bad again. As others advise, talk to your physician, tell her/him your symptoms and be your own best advocate. YOU DO NOT NEED TO FEEL LIKE THIS!
anne9900
9 Jan 2006
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.
Ljmasa
8 Dec 2017
Anne, It's been a long time but can you tell me how this went? I am experiencing something very similar now. On month 3 of lexapro, taking 10 my per day. Was feeling much better but now feeling extremely unmotivated and numb.
Thanks,
Jenn
Kingylinds
27 Feb 2018
Hi Jen I am at the same stage as you it seems. I have lost my motivation for doing things that used to be interested in such as the gym. I have gained weight and feel low about that but don't seem to get the motivation to do anything about it
Ljmasa
28 Feb 2018
Hi Kingylinds,
Yes I was miserable, just feeling horribly numb inside and out, lazy and unmotivated. I couldn't even cry. It was even hard to pray. I was desperate to feel again and get out of the funk, so I called and spoke with my OB nurse. She told me how to wean off Lexapro. Completely ended it on Jan 1, and had a week+ of feeling weird from getting off of it. I feel soooo much better, alive again! I started Weight Watchers and working out a few days/week. I am thankful for the couple months that Lexapro helped me (I believe I needed that help), but am happy to be off of it now and things are a lot better. I don't have the darkness or depression that I did before getting on Lexapro. Best wishes to you! Praying you get to feeling better!
Kingylinds
28 Feb 2018
Thank you for your reply.. I am seeing my GP soon so thinking about weaning no of it and seeing how I go!
darkorbit
17 March 2018
@ljmasa how did you ween off Lexapro? I would like to get off of it but I can't.
Ljmasa
18 March 2018
I cut them in 'halves. They didn't cut quite into equal sizes, so I took 1 bigger half 1xday, for about a week. Then took the smaller half for about a week. I had planned to cut the rest into quarters and take a quarter pill 1xday for a few days. However I forgot to take my pill one night so I just stopped completely at that point. I noticed improved energy and feelings right away. Then there were a few extremely emotional and moody days for the next 1-2 weeks. But it was temporary and got much better. Best wishes to you. You can do it!
Kingylinds
21 March 2018
I take escitalopram 10mg for anxiety disorder.. anyway I have been having half tablet so 5mg for 10 days then last 2 days I have no tabs left so stopped. I feel ok. Not much anxiety. I generally have it even when in medication, it never goes totally but I'm feeling ok so will see hope everyone else is feeling well x
MiaSophia
7 Dec 2018
I’ve been on this for 12 years. Have fibromyalgia and another illness. Thought I was just getting worse. Well, I was. I didn’t move at all as I didn’t care about anything. Not even bathing. I did it but was so hazzled by it. I went from 10 mgs to 5 mgs for a week. Then nothing it’s been 4 days and my mind is clear!! So strange hasn’t been for a decade. Hopefully it remains this way
John Bourque
9 Jan 2006
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
treace
7 Jan 2006
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
lexapro lost
7 Dec 2010
hello GET OFF lexapro. This drug ruined my life. I left a good marriage of almost 20 years because this drug altered my thinking to the point I did not see what was right or wrong. I am sure other people find it helpful but I think there should be awarning about the possible side effect of lost of love for a spouse. I have heard other with the same story I found out too late now my life is ruined.
BriBuendia
31 Jan 2017
Currently have been on lexapro for a month and I am having obsessive thoughts as if I am a pedophile. I have had 4 abortions in the past and I attribute that maybe my deepest darkest fears are coming to life while being on this medicine. I have no motivation andfeeling emotions like I once did is extremely difficult. I would say that it could help some this medicine but their should be a warning about the adverse reactions.
FYI I do not act on these thoughts. I have developed an OCD now where I steer clear from kids. I'm working on it in CBT and am weening off the lexapro. Previously, I was quite functional. I am a teacher so imagine my depression and frustration.
JenPM
12 Sep 2017
Hi. I have been taking lexapro for 4 months and my doctor raised the dose from 10mg to 15mg two weeks ago. I feeling so numb. I cheated on my boyfriend who I love with all my heart and I dont even Know why I did it... I feel nothing. Lack of motivstion with my job, friends, life in general. This wasnt me at all before depresision and medication. HELP!! Thinking of quitting utiliza dont want to be depressed again :(
THEROX
25 Feb 2018
I was prescribed lexapro 10 mg and after only a few of days, I noticed that my mood swings had subsided; however, I didn’t feel anything at all -zero emotions & zero F****s given. Nothing seemed to have any importance and I felt like nothing mattered. I had zero sex drive and sex was the same as everything else, I really felt nothing at all. My motivation dropped and I felt myself having to force myself to do things or just decided not to do them at all. I am naturally a very busy and reliable person, who is known to get the job done. If you want to be stripped of your personality (good and bad) then by all means, try Lexapro.
THEROX
25 Feb 2018
I was prescribed lexapro 10 mg and after only a few of days, I noticed that my mood swings had subsided; however, I didn’t feel anything at all -zero emotions & zero F****s given. Nothing seemed to have any importance and I felt like nothing mattered. I had zero sex drive and sex was the same as everything else, I really felt nothing at all. My motivation dropped and I felt myself having to force myself to do things or just decided not to do them at all. I am naturally a very busy and reliable person, who is known to get the job done. If you want to be stripped of your personality (good and bad) then by all means, try Lexapro.
Inactive
1 April 2018
Jesus some people write such NONSENSICAL GARBAGE! To the woman who claims it produces obsessive compulsive disorder, thoughts of children etc., all psychiatric drugs can produce odd thoughts and anxieties, within the initial stages and eventually it dissipates, period. Part of the reason the medication works is to do with your mind set, please don't attach a negative/fearful label to your thoughts and trust the medication. Also please don't listen to that woman, she sounds crazy as it is. SSRI's cannot all of a sudden create an obsessive compulsive disorder, it sounds like she needs a better attitude towards the treatment.
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Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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