Physician warns emotional blunting can be a side-effect of antidepressants, shares other risks and withdrawal symptoms

Being prescribed antidepressants typically marks the start of an extended journey – when you begin, it often takes months and even years earlier than you may safely cease. These drugs could be extremely efficient in managing melancholy, however in addition they include a spread of negative effects and require cautious tapering underneath medical supervision. Antidepressants could regulate temper fluctuations however they arrive with a bunch of negative effects.(Unsplash) Additionally Learn | Psychiatrist shares 10 pink flags of psychological points in youngsters; right here’s what dad and mom ought to know Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiology and interventional ache medication doctor, is opening up a dialog round these lesser-discussed challenges, sharing insights on each the advantages and dangers of antidepressant use, in an Instagram video posted on September 22. Based on Dr Sood, massive research affirm that SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors enhance temper in main melancholy. They’re prescribed as a part of multimodal therapy plans, however have a bunch of negative effects – therefore, he recommends discussing together with your physician to verify the advantages outweigh the dangers. The potential negative effects, as mentioned by Dr Sood, are as follows: Weight gainThe physician factors out, “Ongoing use is linked to greater odds of great weight acquire over months to years, with danger differing by drug,” and a few research point out that escitalopram and paroxetine present stronger indicators of weight acquire, as in comparison with different varieties. Based on him, “Mechanisms embody urge for food shifts, metabolic results, and restoration from prior weight reduction.” Sexual side-effectsThe ache medication knowledgeable highlights analysis exhibiting that 25% to 80% of people on SSRIs report experiencing sexual negative effects, in response to meta-analyses. He outlines the signs as – “These embody decreased need, arousal, or orgasm difficulties and are a standard cause for discontinuation.” Experiencing these results after stopping the medicine is uncommon. Emotional bluntingAccording to Dr Sood, some sufferers report feeling emotional numbness, feeling “flattened” or being much less emotionally responsive. He provides, “Surveys counsel this impacts a major minority, although it may be troublesome to separate from residual melancholy itself.” Additionally Learn | World Suicide Prevention Day 2025: Psychiatrist explains 5 early warning indicators you need to by no means ignore Evening sweatsNight sweats are a quite common side-effect of antidepressants, recognised throughout the category. The physician mentions, “Major care research present SSRIs are linked with night time sweats, significantly in older adults.” Withdrawal symptomsIt is inadvisable to cease taking antidepressants instantly, as a result of it might trigger extreme withdrawal signs. Based on Dr Sood, withdrawal signs are characterised by dizziness, insomnia, irritability, sensory “zaps” and anxiousness. He continues, “A latest meta-analysis discovered ~15% expertise this, although different opinions report greater figures. Longer, slower tapers scale back the chance.” Word to readers: This text is for informational functions solely and never an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation. It’s primarily based on user-generated content material from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and doesn’t endorse them.