Readytoheal: anhedonia after Abilify and Prozac

[Readytoheal]

HI, 

 

I'm new to the community and at this point am very scared. I will give a quick history and then a couple questions that I would love help with, if you don't mind. 

 

I have been on and off prozac for around 9 years(as needed). I was diagnosed with PPD after my son was born. I never experienced emotional blunting while just on the prozac. However, in Dec. 2017 I had a breakdown after suffering a big T (trauma). My doctor prescribed me Abilify to go along with my antidepressant. I almost immediately felt emotionally blunted, and asked if it could be the drugs. I never took them extremely regularly. I would go a month and do great then come off for weeks because I hated how they made me feel. After much research I decided to come off of every thing in May 2020. I have just hit a wall of anhedonia.  I would have never dreamed it would get this much worse after being off the medicine this long. 

 

Here are my questions:

 

1. Is it common to have anhedonia set in this late in the withdraw process?

2. Will this last forever, or will my full range of emotions come back? Have I done permanent damage?

 

Thank you in advance. 

 

Prozac - 20 mg; On and off since Nov. 2010

Abilify - 5mg ; On and off since Feb.2018

Edited September 18, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Readytoheal.  I'm sorry you're experiencing this.  To answer your questions:

 

1.  Anhedonia is a common withdrawal symptom, and it is not at all uncommon for withdrawal symptoms to be delayed.  

2.  This will not last forever and your  full range of emotions will come back.  You will heal but we can't predict how long it will take.  You have not done permanent damage.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

Apathy, anhedonia, emotional numbness, emotional anesthesia

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2020 by Gridley

[Readytoheal]

Thank you so much Gridley. That calmed me and gave me a sense of hope. The articles were so helpful!

 

Thank you again. 

[ChessieCat]

Hi and welcome from me too,

 

Please create your drug signature.  This will appear below every post you make so that we can see your drug history at a glance.  Thank you.

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature
Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[madmert9]

How long did you use Prozac + Abilify before you CT'ed? Did you CT both of them at the same time?

[composter]

Hi there. Are you seeing windows and waves in the past several months? 
 

You are likely out of the window for a safe reinstatement, so it’ll be a matter of time and support for you to heal. 
 

I recommend doing what you can to get a support network in place, even a few trusted friends you can call up can be life-giving. Also try cultivating healthy lifestyle habits like gentle walking, nutritious eating, and journaling or therapy. You will benefit from as many tools as you can build into your toolkit. 
 

warm wishes. 

[Readytoheal]

I did CT them at the same time. I used them together on and off over a span of about two and a half years. I was never super regular about taking them. I’d do two months solid then be off for a few weeks or a month. 
 

I have mostly been in a heavy horrendous wave ( dissociation, Anxiety, anhedonia, obsessive thoughts, PSSD, mental fog), but have seen glimpses of Windows. They are weak and fleeting. What’s helped most is trying to be mindful and present it seems. This is scary and I just want it to be over with and be back to my old self. 

[Camille]

Hello Readytoheal, are you feeling better ?