Emotional effects of sertraline: Novel findings revealed by meditation.

Abstract

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors continues to increase, as does concern about previously unrecognized, subtle side effects and questions about whether these drugs produce effects on healthy subjects. The authors report novel emotional effects identified by an experienced, psychologically healthy meditator who is a psychiatrist and researcher. On a meditation retreat, the subject identified a specific profile of emotional changes related to sertraline use. In particular, cognitive abilities and the emotions of fear and anger seemed unaffected. However, the emotions of sadness, happiness, rapture, and love were dramatically reduced in intensity and duration.

Can antidepressant use be associated with emotional blunting in a subset of patients with depression? A scoping review of available literature

“…These case reports were based on the subjective complaints by the patients reporting on “changed personality” and “inability to feel emotions in the same way”. Overall, a reduction in dosage or change in a regiment led to the resolution of these subjective complaints of emotional blunting (Corruble et al., 2013; Hoehn‐Saric et al., 1990; Hughes et al., 2017; Lee & Keltner, 2005; Padala et al., 2012; Walsh et al., 2006).…”

“…The most important strategy for treating antidepressant‐induced emotional blunting was to taper and discontinue the offending agent. This strategy had shown effectiveness in multiple case series (Hoehn‐Saric et al., 1990; Hughes et al., 2017; Kodela & Venkata, 2010; Lee & Keltner, 2005; Padala et al., 2012; Walsh et al., 2006) and an RCT (Corruble et al., 2013). However, in the case of venlafaxine, increasing the dosage to 150 mg showed consistent improvement in features of emotional blunting in one of the case series (Sato et al., 2020).…”

“…However, multiple case series have shown a dose‐dependent effect between emotional blunting and corresponding antidepressant dosage that can be predictive of an underlying causal relationship (Corruble et al., 2013; Hoehn‐Saric et al., 1990; Hughes et al., 2017; Lee & Keltner, 2005; Padala et al., 2012; Sato et al., 2020; Walsh et al., 2006). Moreover, patients reported this subjective feeling of emotional blunting despite remission in overall depressive symptoms.…”

“…Moreover, patients reported this subjective feeling of emotional blunting despite remission in overall depressive symptoms. Patients also noted the emergence of emotional blunting after initiation or being maintained on antidepressants for some months (Corruble et al., 2013; Hoehn‐Saric et al., 1990; Hughes et al., 2017; Lee & Keltner, 2005; Padala et al., 2012; Sato et al., 2020; Walsh et al., 2006). In a major qualitative study, patients reported that feelings of altered personality, apathy, and emotional blunting persisted even though their depressive symptoms had improved significantly (Price et al., 2012).…”

Spirituality and meditation.

“…Guided practices are powerful for cultivating nonreactive awareness of particular issues and can similarly augment the broad awareness capacities trained through mindfulness meditation. Guided meditations with a religious context may be optimal for heightening spiritual experience (Alexander, Rainforth, & Gelderloos, 1991;Walsh, Victor, & Bitner, 2006). However, the extent and manner in which distinctions among different types of meditative practices are meaningful from a psychological perspective, particularly in how they might cultivate spiritual well-being, remain to be investigated.…”