The use of antidepressants has increased tremendously around the world. So much so that more than 10 percent of adults are thought to use antidepressants.
Antidepressants can also be used for some other health problems, especially mood disorders. However, as with any medication, antidepressants also have some side effects. Antidepressants can cause emotional dulling, according to a new study.
It impairs Your Ability To Learn
66 healthy people were included in the study on antidepressants. Of the volunteers, 32 were given antidepressants and 34 were given a placebo, and they used it for more than 21 days. They were then subjected to a series of tests and questionnaires to measure their learning and decision-making abilities.
Researchers have found that sensitivity is reduced in people who use real drugs. Unlike the placebo group, they had learning disabilities and were particularly less likely to use positive and negative feedback to help them learn a task. The researchers concluded that the effect on reinforcement learning may explain why some people experience emotional atrophy when taking antidepressants.
#At this point, I would like to make a very important reminder. If you are taking antidepressants, do not stop the treatment yourself. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the problem. Medication plays an important role in combating depression and anxiety for many. Do not use antidepressants or similar drugs without the advice of a doctor. Emotional atrophy is a side effect thought to affect an average of half of people who use antidepressants. Usually people interrupt the treatment because of this side effect.
You Should Know Yourself
Emotional atrophy can be defined as a state of lethargy and unresponsiveness to positive and negative emotions. In other words, if you are experiencing emotional atrophy, both your good feelings and bad feelings will be dulled. Your emotions may not be as strong as they used to be. In some ways, this is part of the desired outcome for those struggling with depression and anxiety. However, you need to know yourself and measure your emotional intensity. For example, remember how upset you were about something before you started taking antidepressants. If you no longer feel as sad as before during treatment, the emotional atrophy at this point is probably a good thing for you. But if you feel unemotional even in the most extreme situations that can happen to you, good or bad, and if you are extremely unresponsive to your environment, make sure to share this situation with your doctor.
It should not be forgotten that drugs do not have the same effect in every body. Every person can react differently to a drug. If you share with your doctor all the situations where the drug you use, you can find the most suitable drug for you. The effect of antidepressant drugs begins to be seen after an average of 4-6 weeks. If you have recently started using antidepressants and you think you are experiencing emotional atrophy, observe the situation for a while. If it continues for a long time, inform your doctor for a different drug.
Symptoms Vary Per Person
Symptoms and degrees of emotional atrophy can vary from person to person. However, there are some signs that you may be experiencing emotional atrophy:
- General unresponsiveness to happy situations
- Unresponsiveness to uncomfortable situations or emotions
- Inability to feel the feeling of love as strong as before
- Don't get angry like before
It Can Affect Your Relationship And Body Language
Emotional atrophy can also negatively affect a person's interactions or relationships with others. Not only does it affect internal emotional responses, it can also affect body language, creating a flattering effect on facial expression. Emotional atrophy should not be confused with indifference. Emotional atrophy has no emotion or emotion.
If you have struggled with depression or anxiety in the past and are no longer feeling these feelings as deeply and strongly as they used to, emotional atrophy can be seen as a benefit. But if you think that emotional atrophy is affecting your life, be sure to talk to your doctor. Stopping medications suddenly on your own can have different consequences.