Coming off Invega/Xeplion (paliperidone) injections v 12

[invegaloner]

I hear your point about depression and small steps. Genuine question: do you think there's a difference between depression that develops on its own and the anhedonia caused by a dopamine-blocking drug? Because to me, they feel like different things, and the "small steps" approach often doesn't work when your dopamine receptors are blocked

Depression can be caused by multiple things, it’s already listed as a side effect of multiple pharmaceuticals so no not really, the end result is still the same. I think it’s easier to give up in a sense and blame invega because it’s something that you would be given during an already major event. Invega can cause negative effects on mood but you’re most likely already in a negative mood before injections because of your environment. The side effects from invega can go away but you can still feel bad because of the offer factors in your life that haven’t changed, whether it’s in your control or not. Doing absolutely nothing will do nothing but make things worse no matter the case though.

 

[InnerReturn]

Depression can be caused by multiple things, it’s already listed as a side effect of multiple pharmaceuticals so no not really, the end result is still the same. I think it’s easier to give up in a sense and blame invega because it’s something that you would be given during an already major event. Invega can cause negative effects on mood but you’re most likely already in a negative mood before injections because of your environment. The side effects from invega can go away but you can still feel bad because of the offer factors in your life that haven’t changed, whether it’s in your control or not. Doing absolutely nothing will do nothing but make things worse no matter the case though.

Depression has many causes, yes. But chemically induced anhedonia from dopamine blockade is not the same as depression from life circumstances. They may look similar from the outside, but they feel fundamentally different from the inside. I'm glad your approach is working for you — truly. From my own experience, I can say that during the depression that started around the age of 12, I was in a very active life position — apathy and my life were antonyms. Even though circumstances were not in my favor, I found sources of inspiration and strived for something. Of course, the situation later became worse, to the point where I had to take antidepressants, but I still held on to hope. But the Invega incident literally turned everything upside down, making my already difficult life even harder. So I think that depression caused by circumstances is easier to treat by going through psychotherapy sessions, whereas after Invega you need to wait some more time until the dopamine receptors set the "right brightness"

 

[KubiKook]

Depression can be caused by multiple things, it’s already listed as a side effect of multiple pharmaceuticals so no not really, the end result is still the same. I think it’s easier to give up in a sense and blame invega because it’s something that you would be given during an already major event. Invega can cause negative effects on mood but you’re most likely already in a negative mood before injections because of your environment. The side effects from invega can go away but you can still feel bad because of the offer factors in your life that haven’t changed, whether it’s in your control or not. Doing absolutely nothing will do nothing but make things worse no matter the case though.

For me, there is a huge difference between depression, which I've gone through all of my life, and the fallout from Invega (& other antipsychotics). Mine happens to be a long-long withdrawal issue. For some reason I'm still emotionless & 'disabled' in so many ways. This was never the case with 'normal' depression. No matter how down I was, I still engaged in necessary activities, such as cooking & cleaning, washing & grooming, and other ones as well, watching movies & favorite TV shows, going for walks & getting sun, reading & writing, Crosswords, yada-yada. And I still felt something while doing them. This is SO different now. I can't really explain it, but my brain is nothing like it was before. I've never experienced anything like this. It's beyond brutal! ~ Dan

 

[invegaloner]

Depression has many causes, yes. But chemically induced anhedonia from dopamine blockade is not the same as depression from life circumstances. They may look similar from the outside, but they feel fundamentally different from the inside. I'm glad your approach is working for you — truly. From my own experience, I can say that during the depression that started around the age of 12, I was in a very active life position — apathy and my life were antonyms. Even though circumstances were not in my favor, I found sources of inspiration and strived for something. Of course, the situation later became worse, to the point where I had to take antidepressants, but I still held on to hope. But the Invega incident literally turned everything upside down, making my already difficult life even harder. So I think that depression caused by circumstances is easier to treat by going through psychotherapy sessions, whereas after Invega you need to wait some more time until the dopamine receptors set the "right brightness"

I don’t disagree with you, the anhedonia was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before and was really scary and jarring. The thing is though is that everything is going to take some time to get through. A lot of things feel like they’re going to be forever but very few things are. It may be harder than something else, but you’re still physically able to do things, it’s a mental block.

 

[invegaloner]

For me, there is a huge difference between depression, which I've gone through all of my life, and the fallout from Invega (& other antipsychotics). Mine happens to be a long-long withdrawal issue. For some reason I'm still emotionless & 'disabled' in so many ways. This was never the case with 'normal' depression. No matter how down I was, I still engaged in necessary activities, such as cooking & cleaning, washing & grooming, and other ones as well, watching movies & favorite TV shows, going for walks & getting sun, reading & writing, Crosswords, yada-yada. And I still felt something while doing them. This is SO different now. I can't really explain it, but my brain is nothing like it was before. I've never experienced anything like this. It's beyond brutal! ~ Dan

This is actually very typical of depression, not taking care of yourself and your surroundings is a huge indicator. Not feeling interested in things you used to be is also an indicator. There are just levels to how bad it gets. I’ve experienced this before invega.