Increased irritability, overthinking & social anxiety
I started taking bupropion 7 months ago (150 mg), and since mid-March I’ve been on 300 mg. Overall, I feel noticeably better on 300 mg compared to 150 mg. Unfortunately, after increasing the dose I’ve noticed that I’ve become more irritable in response to simple situations (I overreact in an angry/explosive way) - This also happened on 150 mg, but to a slightly milder degree.. For example, when I hear the doorbell I immediately feel irritated.
I’ve also noticed an increase in overthinking in situations where I need to leave the house. I can get ready to go out (wash, get dressed, prepare everything), but the moment I’m about to leave, one look in the mirror makes my motivation completely collapse. I start thinking that I look terrible, I focus on every small detail, every pimple and every blemish, that I’m not dressed in a very “feminine” way (just wearing tracksuits, men’s clothing that I feel more comfortable in). I become overly focused on how I look and start overanalyzing every detail. I start convincing myself that if I go outside, people will stare at me and judge me negatively.
It has reached the point where sometimes I don’t go out at all, and when I do leave the house, I experience racing thoughts, constant tension, and even passing by people walking toward me can trigger an internal panic response. It’s gotten to the point where if I see a person far away walking in my direction, or sitting on a bench I need to pass, I get so stressed that I automatically avoid them and change my route without thinking, even if it makes my journey longer.
At some point I started taking hydroxyzine a few minutes before going out, and it helps a little but about an hour later I become very drowsy and end up sleeping during the day for several hours... I’m wondering if anyone has experienced similar side effects and how did you cope with them? Did reducing the dose or adding another medication help? I have another appointment with my psychiatrist in two weeks and I’m wondering what I should tell her.