Fluoxetine wrecked my self-discipline/ motivation???

Comments

• Redemption Posts: 4,011 Community Veteran

  May 13

  Hey @AnonymousToe I'm not too clued up on this stuff but did a bit of research but it seems, what you’re describing can be normal for some people on fluoxetine. It helps lift the heavy lows, but sometimes that emotional “flattening” can also affect motivation and drive. You’re not lazy or broken your brain chemistry is just adjusting. It’s good that you’re feeling more stable emotionally, but it’s also okay to bring this up with your doctor. They might help tweak your treatment or add support without changing the medication entirely. You’re not alone in this, and it’s okay to ask for help figuring it out. We're all here for you.

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• independent_ Community Connector Posts: 9,523 Supreme Poster

  May 13 edited May 13

  @AnonymousToe I was on fluoxetine for nearly 2 years and I know exactly the feeling you are referring to. In my experience fluoxetine caused general fatigue, which certainly didn't help.
  
  I'm not sure if it's normal, i couldn't really say. A lot of people find that when they start taking meds their motivation is improved because it helps with mental health, which can lower motivation in itself. But I found when I was on them for a while they just made me feel strange.
  
  I don't take them anymore and haven't for 2 years, so it's quite a distant memory for me now, but you definitely aren't alone.

  “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”

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• shannon_164 Community Connector Posts: 1,798 Extreme Poster

  7:16AM

  hey @AnonymousToe 🙂
  
  i’ve been on fluoxetine in the past and honestly, it completely wrecked me - it was definitely the worst experience i had in relation to medication to the point i ended up in a&e with the side affects!
  
  i think it’s important to recognise that the feeling of being stuck in between “doing better” and “not quite yourself” is so confusing, and it totally makes sense that you’d be frustrated and scared.
  
  it sounds like fluoxetine has helped you survive and feel more emotionally stable, which is huge. that is not something to overlook or take lightly, but i also get how frustrating it must be to feel like you’ve lost your drive or sense of direction, even if things feel “alright,” the absence of motivation can still feel like something important is missing.
  
  you’re not imagining things. some people do notice changes in energy, focus, or drive on ssri’s like fluoxetine. it’s not always easy to pinpoint, and everyone reacts differently. it could be related to dopamine or brain chemistry shifts, or even just the change from surviving to stabilising, it’s like your brain is recalibrating, and it hasn’t quite figured out what “normal” looks like yet.
  
  you’re not failing, you are adapting, and that’s a process, not a switch you flick.
  
  i totally understand the fear around switching meds or trying something new. that is so valid, but you don’t have to make any huge decisions on your own, you deserve to talk this through with a professional who gets it. maybe talking to a professional would allow you to have help to figure out whether it’s the meds, burnout, or something else going on, and if there are adjustments or support tools that could help without undoing all the progress you’ve made?
  
  you’re not broken. you are doing your best, and you’re not alone in this. we are all here for you and we believe in you, even when motivation feels out of reach - i’m proud of you

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