Question: I am having trouble distinguishing whether my current low level of drive and social interaction is normal or depression, or maybe even related to klonopin use.

I recently discontinued taking celexa after 15 years as it may have been attributing to some kind of cyclothymia. It has been over two months since stopping and I certainly feel much less "frantic" than I did and more still overall, but I have lost interest in exercising and socializing. I watch a lot of TV and I'm more likely to avoid responsibilities and chores.

I was preparing to enroll in grad school for medicine: taking many prerequisite classes in the past two years and having a lot of enthusiasm for the training and the new career. I seem to have lost my interest and drive for this..the change in heart came quickly thoroughly after stopping Celexa. I am continuing the classes and application process out of momentum but now I can't seem to grasp why I wanted to pursue this career change at all! I am kind of enjoying sitting still instead of racing around, even though I don't enjoy my current career and I don't seem to look forward to much of anything.

I'm trying to discern if this lack of drive/desire/motivation is a symptom of returning depression OR if the strong drive I had before stopping the SSRI was a manic kind of compulsiveness. I am still taking 150 mgs of Lamictal, which helps to keep the active sadness at bay; and .25-.5 mgs of klonopin, which helps with anxiety, concentration, and sleep. I am also wondering if taking klonopin for 4 years is creating the detachment/lack of motivation. I know a lot of people who have taken it and stopped caring about anything and just getting fat :(

thank you doctor:

I think I am past the wash-out period for Celexa. I recognize a lot of the feelings from before being on an antidepressant.

I'd like to steer away from Celexa as low doses of it tend to make me irritable and labile, while higher doses make me feel rather impulsive.

I've tried Wellbutrin as an adjunct med twice. Once with Serzone and I had problems focusing and getting very angry. The other with Celexa (for focus and sexual side effects) and after several days I felt weird and detatched, and then I became irritable.

Given that I had different experiences, do you think it would be worth trying Wellbutrin again but as monotherapy?

I am a little worried about anxiety and over stimulation (Ritalin can cause this in me)

If I get these side effects should take extra klonopin or use Latuda, which I am going to try if this fails.

please stick around for the Wellbutrin start up! My current doctor is very unreliable and cancels most of her appts.

I took Wellbutrin Sr 100 mg on the first day and 150mg XL the second day. On both days there was a lift in mood, but also a feeling of overchattiness and hyperactive, a little nervous. Not enough to stop.

I like the smoothness of the XL vs. the shorter action of the SR. It was harder to get to sleep however.

After only two days I feel like my old self again...making plans, interest in hobbies, and talking with friends. I am a little worried that I am hypomanic and/or just reacting to the start up agitation in my brain. I know that in the past the feeling was somewhat dysphoric. Would manic symptoms kick in so quick?

Anyway I know I'm only at half of the therapeutic dose. If the edginess doesn't go away, does it make sense to increase the dose? Sometimes the effect is different at higher doses, but I tend to be very med sensitive and prone to anxiety.

Thanks. I just woke up and today will be day four on Wellbutrin. I was up until 2 am researching and buying camera equipment for an upcoming scuba trip. It seems extreme but then for a month I had very little interest in anything.

Day three I continued to have an elevated mood but my brain felt very busy and I felt a fair amount of physical anxiety, especially in my chest. Klonopin and proponalol helped a little. The first 7 hours were bad and then I felt more settled.

I am a little hesitant to take again today...I don't want to feel so hyper. should I expect this to be a regular side effect of the drug for people with anxiety, or will it pass?

It worked quickly to quell constant ruminations of suicide and persecution, which I liked, and returned motivation. I miss the feeling of stillness

Ok today is day 7 and I've been feeling good mood wise, less fragile, more motivated, and the physical anxiety/speediness went away. Today however I am feeling dysphoric and extremely irritable. Angry at inanimate objects. this is what stopped my two previous trials of wellbutrin

In addition I have the sad, hopeless feeling back. Not sure if that is from adjusting to the dose or feeling hopeless because another med failed two days before I go on vacation.

I will give another day but if the anger increases I will need to stop. I can stop easily at 150mg XL? If it leaves me feeling freaked out (which will be bad for scuba diving vacation) can or should I take low dose of latuda?

between the feelings or irritability and hopelessness after a week of antidepressants, I am worried I am having a mixed episode, hence the thoughts about latuda.