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I found no joy in fireworks this year…same old same old. Plus there were thunderstorms nearby & I got a migraine. I’m turning into an old grouch. No joy, no real feelings of love, not much interest in anything. Is it my antidepressants dampening the good with the bad? Or is this the apathy of Frontotemporal dementia?
Does it matter which is which? I obviously need the antidepressant. I tried upping it & it gave me the runs.
At this point, I am passively suicidal, hoping to die of heart issues before the dementia gets bad. Meanwhile, I do still enjoy going for walks when it’s not too hot & muggy. I try to find small things to enjoy. Some days, my husband goes out of his way to give me pleasant experiences, for which I am appreciative—of his efforts.

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Replies to "I found no joy in fireworks this year…same old same old. Plus there were thunderstorms nearby..."

@susanejw oh Susan. Please don’t give up! I have found you to be a touchstone for me with my dementia.
Did you say you lived in Maryland? That’s something else we might have in common. Let’s bond over all of the things that are joyful. I’m posing some garden pictures to show you one of the places that I still find joy my friend.

@susanejw - it is entirely possible, too, that your antidepressants are dampening the good with the bad. I had that happen about 15 years back. I was taking citalopram (Celexa).

I finally realized after going to some Christmas concerts that would normally noticeably lift my spirits that I just didn't respond. I was emotionally flat. No low lows, but the high highs were gone, too.

I did ask my pyschiatrist about this, and he said that what I was experiencing with a flat affect was a potential side effect of the medication. So, he offered to switch my medication. Switching to a different antidepressant worked to get me back the whole emotional spectrum.

Have you gotten to ask your primary care doctor or psychiatrist about what you have experienced? If so, what did he or she say?