Which antidepressants cause the most emotional blunting?

Antidepressants that commonly cause emotional blunting include:
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) escitalopram (Lexapro) paroxetine (Paxil) fluoxetine (Prozac) sertraline (Zoloft)
  • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) venlafaxine (Effexor XR) desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)


Does emotional blunting go away SSRI?

In most cases, feelings of numbness go away when you stop taking the antidepressant that is causing you to feel this way. If you feel emotionally numb, it's important to tell your doctor.

Does Zoloft make you emotionless?

SSRI antidepressants are sometimes associated with emotional blunting. This can also include such symptoms as feeling indifferent or apathetic, being less able to cry and less able to experience the same degree of positive emotion as one normally would.


Can antidepressants make you emotionally detached?

As it is with any medication, antidepressants can have side effects, including the possibility of what is termed “emotional blunting.” According to studies, nearly half of people taking antidepressants at some point experience emotional blunting from antidepressants.

How do you deal with emotional blunting from antidepressants?

The good news is that emotional blunting can be treated. Among some of the options to consider: You can engage in exercise and outdoor activities, both of which may stimulate serotonin and elevate your mood. 10 Eating healthier and avoiding alcohol (a mood depressant) can also help.


SSRIs and Emotional Blunting | Mechanisms of Emotional Blunting and Treatment | Dr Rege



Is it normal to not cry on antidepressants?

Nearly half of patients on all types of monoaminergic antidepressants report emotional blunting,6 and it is associated with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy as follows: among 161 patients, 46% reported a narrowed range of affect, 21% reported an inability to cry, and 19% reported apathy.

Is there a cure for emotional blunting?

Emotional blunting is best treated by addressing the underlying cause or causes. That's why it's important to see a mental healthcare professional if you're experiencing emotional blunting. Some potential treatment options a mental healthcare professional might recommend include: Psychotherapy (talk therapy).

What antidepressants suppress emotions?

Antidepressants that commonly cause emotional blunting include:
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) escitalopram (Lexapro) paroxetine (Paxil) fluoxetine (Prozac) sertraline (Zoloft)
  • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) venlafaxine (Effexor XR) desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)


Can antidepressants make you not like someone?

Emotional blunting can also cause problems in social and interpersonal relationships. People who experience this side effect when taking antidepressants may have trouble connecting with others or feel less interested in socializing. They may also experience more obsessive thinking.

Do antidepressants block empathy?

Summary: Antidepressants for major depressive disorder reduce the aversive response triggered by exposure to the suffering of others. Findings suggest antidepressants may lead to impaired empathy of pain perception.

Does Zoloft deplete dopamine?

Sertraline (Zoloft) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), but, uniquely among most antidepressants, it shows relatively high (nanomolar) affinity for the DAT as well. As such, it has been suggested that clinically it may weakly inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, particularly at high dosages.


Does Zoloft apathy go away?

SSRI-induced apathy thus appears to be dose and duration dependent, as well as reversible.

Does Zoloft deplete serotonin?

SSRIs are theorized to create an excess of serotonin in the brain so that more can be absorbed. The thought is that low serotonin levels lead to mental illnesses. However, clinical studies show that the chronic use of SSRI medications actually depletes serotonin.

How common is emotional blunting?

In a survey of more than 1800 patients in New Zealand taking a range of different antidepressants, 60% of respondents reported feeling emotionally numb [10]. Emotional blunting is also a common reason for discontinuing antidepressant therapy in patients with depression [15].


How do you know if your antidepressant is too high?

If you're taking antidepressant medication and you either feel unusually elated, or you become very terse with your loved ones, feel noticeably more irritable, or have an uncharacteristic bout of rage, then it's likely that your antidepressant dose is too high.

Does Lexapro make you emotionally numb?

It is true that SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) make the person emotionally blunt when on a long term use. In your case, SSRI (Zoloft and Lexapro) and Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) are ineffective and making you emotionally numb.

What antidepressant can block dopamine?

Bupropion inhibits the presynaptic reuptake of both dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA), leading to increased levels of both of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft (Figure 23-6). The clinical efficacy of all antidepressants is delayed a few weeks when compared with their pharmacologic actions.


Why can't I cry anymore?

Some people find it difficult to cry because of societal pressure or their internalised beliefs about crying. For example, if we believe that crying is embarrassing and childish — or if we're simply scared of being vulnerable — it's only natural that we'll try to stave off our tears.

How do you release all suppressed emotions?

Things you can try right now
  1. Check in. Ask yourself how you feel right now. ...
  2. Use “I” statements. Practice expressing your feelings with phrases like “I feel confused. ...
  3. Focus on the positive. It might seem easier to name and embrace positive emotions at first, and that's OK. ...
  4. Let go of judgement. ...
  5. Make it a habit.


How can I regain my emotion control?

5 ways to gain control over your emotions
  1. Self care. ...
  2. Maintain healthy relationships. ...
  3. Stop suppressing and start reappraising. ...
  4. Practice mindfulness. ...
  5. Prevent emotional outbursts If you've ever blown something small out of proportion, you probably felt pretty bad afterward.


Which antidepressants cause less emotional blunting?

In more recent studies, emotional blunting has been found to be less frequent in patients taking agomelatine than escitalopram (SSRI) and less severe when medication was switched from SSRIs/SNRIs to vortioxetine (32, 39).

Does Wellbutrin cause emotional blunting?

Conclusions: The study medications did not significantly decrease emotional responsiveness, and there was no evidence that emotional blunting mediated treatment response. In acute treatment, emotional blunting may be better conceptualized as a residual symptom than as an adverse drug effect.

What is it called when you want to cry but can t?

You don't just experience diminished pleasure. You might also notice a decreased capacity to express your emotions. Some people with anhedonia, especially anhedonic depression, do notice they can no longer cry easily — or at all.


What nutrients are depleted by Zoloft?

Central Nervous System Drugs:

Tricyclic Antidepressants (amytriptyline, Pamelor, etc) deplete coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B2. SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc) deplete iodine, and MAOs deplete vitamin B6. Each nutrient is essential for energy production and mood stability, the very thing that the drugs are prescribed for.

Can Zoloft cause permanent damage?

It is well known that harms caused by SSRIs can be long-lasting [18] and there are indications that they can even be permanent, e.g. for sexual disturbances [39, 40]. Withdrawal symptoms are also drug harms, and they can also persist for a long time [18].