When do I get my positive feelings back?

time to move on · 10-26-2005, 03:53 PM

I have a question for those of you that have felt detachment from reality, unwelcome dampering of positive emotions, and/or the "I'm laughing/crying/smiling/excited because I know somewhere inside that I should feel that way, not because I actually FEEL it" moments while on paxil.

At what dosage during your taper did this stop, if at all? I'm starting to get very withdrawn because nothing actually causes me joy or excitement anymore. I mean, what's the point of doing anything with anyone if it doesn't cause any real emotion? It's almost like I'm scared to hang out with anyone because it forces me to confront the fact that I can't really connect with other people on an honest emotional level. I can go through the motions and act like I used to before Paxil, but it doesn't feel authentic.

ddog1st · 10-26-2005, 04:31 PM

I have the opposite problem. My emotions are out of control. Usualy the good times seem to be mania. I feel euphoric and child like. Strangers must think Kevin is the guardian of a special needs person.

feelin'_wiggy · 10-26-2005, 05:10 PM

At about four weeks after my last dose, I started to feel an awakening of emotions. At six weeks, Hurricane Katrina rocked my world, and I've since experienced the whole spectrum of emotions: sorrow, fear and anger, but also, a renewed joie de vivre. I've fallen in love with my husband all over again, and he commented that my sense of playfulness has returned. I'm going through a rough patch this week, but I'm confident it will pass.

So, have no fear. The Stepford syndrome goes away, though the timing varies for each of us.

time to move on · 10-27-2005, 08:14 AM

Stepford syndrome? That's great! That's the perfect way to describe how I've felt since the sixth or seventh month on Paxil. It's all very convenient, but ultimately fake and disturbing. It's very much like going through the motions and putting on a show. Deep down I'm aware that I have real feelings, but it's all just a vague memory. I mostly just sit there with a slight smile on my face. It's made it easy for me to be a rock and voice of reason for my friends and family, and I feel super guilty about wanting to take that away from them.

This gives me hope. In fact, my playfullness is top on the list of things I'd like to get back. Hell, I'd even take a bout of mania over this emotional sleepwalk.

rdjanis · 10-27-2005, 08:31 AM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by time to move on

I'm starting to get very withdrawn because nothing actually causes me joy or excitement anymore. I mean, what's the point of doing anything with anyone if it doesn't cause any real emotion?

My daughter went through this stage, it was extremely difficult. The point of doing things with people will help you keep your sanity. It will keep you in touch with your life until your true feelings surface again. Withdrawing can cause a very deep depression and slow down your healing process. Please try to force yourself if even a couple times a week to get out amongst friends, and if you have someone to confide what you are feeling is even better. Lean on the ones that care for you and let them help carry you through the process.

luminous · 10-28-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by time to move on

I have a question for those of you that have felt detachment from reality, unwelcome dampering of positive emotions, and/or the "I'm laughing/crying/smiling/excited because I know somewhere inside that I should feel that way, not because I actually FEEL it" moments while on paxil.

At what dosage during your taper did this stop, if at all? I'm starting to get very withdrawn because nothing actually causes me joy or excitement anymore. I mean, what's the point of doing anything with anyone if it doesn't cause any real emotion? It's almost like I'm scared to hang out with anyone because it forces me to confront the fact that I can't really connect with other people on an honest emotional level. I can go through the motions and act like I used to before Paxil, but it doesn't feel authentic.

Think i understand how you feel,been that way for a few years.Paxil was definately an `i don`t give 2 hoots` drug to me.I`ve always been a caring and listening person,it upset me so.Its been 7 months for me off it,and yesterday i appreciated the nice weather outside and a friendly cat came up to me and i felt that warm feeling,its been so long since i felt that!.Hang in there,things will get better

.Al

Brannigan · 10-28-2005, 09:33 PM

I got my emotions back a little while after slowly weaning to 7.5mg.

parox · 10-29-2005, 01:46 AM

My emotions are not back and im 8 moths off Paxil, i feel only anxiety and anger, i start feeling depressed lately

10-26-2005, 03:53 PM	#1
time to move on Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 86	When do I get my positive feelings back? I have a question for those of you that have felt detachment from reality, unwelcome dampering of positive emotions, and/or the "I'm laughing/crying/smiling/excited because I know somewhere inside that I should feel that way, not because I actually FEEL it" moments while on paxil. At what dosage during your taper did this stop, if at all? I'm starting to get very withdrawn because nothing actually causes me joy or excitement anymore. I mean, what's the point of doing anything with anyone if it doesn't cause any real emotion? It's almost like I'm scared to hang out with anyone because it forces me to confront the fact that I can't really connect with other people on an honest emotional level. I can go through the motions and act like I used to before Paxil, but it doesn't feel authentic.

10-26-2005, 04:31 PM	#2
ddog1st Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 591	Re: When do I get my positive feelings back? I have the opposite problem. My emotions are out of control. Usualy the good times seem to be mania. I feel euphoric and child like. Strangers must think Kevin is the guardian of a special needs person. __________________ Bryan Drug companies are the true identity of a Scooby Doo villians disguised as a nest egg. Paxil Free on April 17, 2006 http://myspace.com/ddog1st

10-26-2005, 05:10 PM	#3
feelin'_wiggy Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,301	Re: When do I get my positive feelings back? At about four weeks after my last dose, I started to feel an awakening of emotions. At six weeks, Hurricane Katrina rocked my world, and I've since experienced the whole spectrum of emotions: sorrow, fear and anger, but also, a renewed joie de vivre. I've fallen in love with my husband all over again, and he commented that my sense of playfulness has returned. I'm going through a rough patch this week, but I'm confident it will pass. So, have no fear. The Stepford syndrome goes away, though the timing varies for each of us. __________________ *Deborah* Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage -- Anais Nin ...the most you can hope is to be a little less, in the end, the creature you were in the beginning and the middle. -- Samuel Beckett (The Unnamable) . 1998: Paxil prescribed during mother's battle with cancer. 07/03 thru 05/05: Poop out; 2 botched attempts at wd; bipolar dx; more drugs added 04/05: quit lithium, Adderall and Xanax 05/05: Began 3rd attempt at wd 07/22/05: Liberated! http://www.benzo.org.uk

10-27-2005, 08:14 AM	#4
time to move on Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 86	Re: When do I get my positive feelings back? Stepford syndrome? That's great! That's the perfect way to describe how I've felt since the sixth or seventh month on Paxil. It's all very convenient, but ultimately fake and disturbing. It's very much like going through the motions and putting on a show. Deep down I'm aware that I have real feelings, but it's all just a vague memory. I mostly just sit there with a slight smile on my face. It's made it easy for me to be a rock and voice of reason for my friends and family, and I feel super guilty about wanting to take that away from them. This gives me hope. In fact, my playfullness is top on the list of things I'd like to get back. Hell, I'd even take a bout of mania over this emotional sleepwalk.

10-28-2005, 09:33 PM	#7
Brannigan Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 846	Re: When do I get my positive feelings back? I got my emotions back a little while after slowly weaning to 7.5mg. __________________ Early 2002: Became a Paxil Junkie April 2005: Went from 25CR to 20 regular due to the shortage May 9 2005: Began tapering 15mg May 18: Tapered to 10mg May 25: Tapered to 5mg ... May 27 TILT! - too fast - back to 10mg June 18: Tapered to 7.5mg July 19: Tapered to 5mg October 1: Tapered to 2.5mg October 29: ZERO! No w/d symptoms since October '05. Is it really over?

10-29-2005, 01:46 AM	#8
parox Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 122	Re: When do I get my positive feelings back? My emotions are not back and im 8 moths off Paxil, i feel only anxiety and anger, i start feeling depressed lately __________________ Diagnose: Severe social phobia with panics - 94 started with Celexa - 96 started with Nefadar - 97 trials with Efexor, Prozac, Aurorix - 97 Anafranil (TCA) - 02 weaned off Anafranil, restarted 3 months later - 03 switched from Anafranil to Paxil - 05 weaned off Paxil to fast, 3 months Paxilfree since 1 Mars 05 contact: paxhell73@hotmail.com

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