Does Wellbutrin cause emotional blunting?

A 2017 internet-based survey found that only 33% of people experienced emotional blunting while on Wellbutrin, compared with 75% who reported emotional blunting while taking Cymbalta, a common SSRI.


Can bupropion cause apathy?

The reason may have more to do with a few myths about bupropion than the actual evidence. Why does this matter? Bupropion lacks many of the side effects that can hinder adherence to SSRIs: sexual side effects, weight gain, apathy, sedation, and withdrawal problems.

What medication helps with emotional blunting?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are the antidepressant class most linked to emotional blunting. SSRIs include: Escitalopram (Lexapro) Fluoxetine (Prozac)


Do antidepressants numb your emotions?

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.

What antidepressants do not cause 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).


Emotional Blunting with Antidepressants



Can Wellbutrin make you more depressed?

Bupropion may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies, or to become more depressed.

How do you fix emotional blunting?

How to manage emotional blunting
  1. Psychotherapy. If your emotional blunting is caused by a mental health condition like depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, or BPD, talk therapy may help. ...
  2. Medication changes. ...
  3. Support groups. ...
  4. Reengage in activities you love. ...
  5. Avoid drugs and alcohol. ...
  6. Stimulate your senses.


Which antidepressants cause the most emotional blunting?

Emotional blunting was reported by 18% of participants, emotional hyperactivity by 14.7%, and withdrawal by 14.7%. Emotional blunting was most common in participants using SSRIs (paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine) and least common in those using bupropion and mirtazapine.


Can emotional blunting be permanent?

Some people feel more strongly than others, while other people may have long-term or temporary difficulty feeling a full range of emotion. That difficulty is sometimes referred to as emotional blunting. Depending on the cause, emotional blunting can last anywhere from a few minutes, up to months or even years.

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.

What does emotional blunting look like?

Symptoms of Emotional Blunting

There are many signs that you may be experiencing emotional blunting, even if it is short term. These include an inability to feel happy, fatigue, inability to concentrate, and feeling disconnected. Emotional blunting symptoms include: Inability to feel happiness and sadness.


Does Wellbutrin stop working after a while?

If you feel like your antidepressant has stopped working, you're not alone. It's common for a medication that once worked wonders to become ineffective, especially if you've been taking it for a long time. Symptoms return for up to 33% of people using antidepressants — it's called breakthrough depression.

How long does it take to adjust to Wellbutrin?

Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.

What is the downside of Wellbutrin?

Adverse reactions commonly encountered in subjects treated with WELLBUTRIN are agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache/migraine, nausea/vomiting, constipation, tremor, dizziness, excessive sweating, blurred vision, tachycardia, confusion, rash, hostility, cardiac arrhythmia, and auditory disturbance.


Does Wellbutrin make you quiet?

Bupropion is a dopaminergic and noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor and is not reported to cause emotional blunting.

Does bupropion deplete dopamine?

Administration of bupropion may act to increase tonic levels of dopamine but as a result decrease the responsivity of the dopaminergic system such that phasic firing is actually reduced.

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].


What happens if I suppress my emotions for too long?

Suppressed emotions stay in the body. The effects of suppressed emotions include anxiety, depression, and other stress-related illnesses. Such suppression can lead to alcohol and substance abuse. (Read more about the link between childhood trauma and addiction here.)

How long does it take for emotional blunting to go away after stopping antidepressants?

While tapering Zoloft, people could experience discontinuation symptoms for up to 3 weeks. When stopping antidepressants, some symptoms may persist for up to 6 weeks and occasionally may continue for up to a year . Always speak with a doctor about any new symptoms that occur when tapering off an antidepressant.

Why do I feel apathetic on antidepressants?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly used to treat depression, are associated with loss of motivation, anergy, and lack of curiosity often referred collectively as apathy.


Can antidepressants make you not love your partner?

Approximately 70 percent of people taking SSRIs suffer from sexual side effects. But these drugs may also compromise the ability to feel love.

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.

Is emotional blunting from antidepressants permanent?

This effect is not permanent, however. According to Dr. Ronald Pies, there are certain steps which can help patients who are experiencing emotional blunting with their antidepressant.


How do I restore my emotional state?

  1. Value yourself: Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. ...
  2. Take care of your body: Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. ...
  3. Surround yourself with good people: ...
  4. Give yourself: ...
  5. Learn how to deal with stress: ...
  6. Quiet your mind: ...
  7. Set realistic goals: ...
  8. Break up the monotony:


Why do doctors not prescribe Wellbutrin?

This drug has a boxed warning about the following risk. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Previous question
What color is honey blonde?
Next question
What is an alcohol bath?