I'm curious if anyone else here has taken antipsychotics but still holds onto their passion for technology or other interests without any urge to let go. When I was on Risperdal, it felt like it sucked a part of my identity away, making me feel afraid to express my love for tech because others claimed it was unhealthy. That made me put on a smile and engage with people, even if I wasn't genuinely interested in what they were saying. The medication took away much of my motivation, and I found myself seeking validation from others instead of nurturing my own passions. I just successfully tapered off that medication and want to hear if any of you have retained your special interests or shared similar experiences.
4 Answers
Antipsychotics definitely influence how we connect with our hobbies. I actually find it easier to engage with electronics when I’m feeling a bit hypomanic, but on meds, it’s more about interacting with people. It’s strange how our interests can ebb and flow based on mental state; if I wasn’t diving into repairing electronics—it’s kind of a niche hobby, I could be good at something like pottery that might help me meet more people. Just goes to show how personal and variable experiences can be!
I feel you on this one. While I don’t get super deep into electronics, I definitely lost my obsession for biology when I started antipsychotics. It’s like they make dopamine too easy to access, which takes the excitement out of pursuing interests for their own sake. I’ve had to remind myself that it’s okay to chill out and take a break from the rush of constant stimulation. Sometimes, just learning to be okay with boredom can help reignite the passion.”},{