Q. How to overcome emotional blunting after stopping antidepressants for a few years?
Hi doctor,
I am 30 years old and I have never fallen in love, even though I have been with girls I liked very much. I think it is because I took Venlafaxine (Effexor) a few years ago. I stopped using it eight years ago. However, I feel like my emotions are very much like when I was taking them. I feel like I am starting to have emotions. It rises and then crushes and comes back down. I think the medication prevents me from having strong emotions. Is there anything I can do at all?
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I went through your query and understood your concern. May I know if you are still using Venlafaxine (antidepressant) or not? If you stopped eight years ago, it is unlikely that the emotional blunting is due to it. It might be due to anxiety and depression. So kindly tell me if there are any symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
No, I am never going to use this drug again or anything that influences my brain chemistry. I do feel depressed, but not always. For example, I spent a nice week with a girl in a transcontinental country a year ago. And I felt very happy with her, but as soon as I returned home, I felt nothing. I fell in love once when I was 22. It was entirely hormones based and faded after a week, I felt invincible. I have never felt like that again.
Please give me your opinion.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
As age progresses, there are possibilities for the hormones to become low. I would suggest you to get a hormonal profile done for serum testosterone and serum prolactin. Also, I have a few questions for you, may I know if you are having sexual desires on a normal basis, like erections and ejaculation? How is your sleep lately?
Kindly follow up.
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Fine, I will see if I can do those hormonal tests. Yes, I get erections regularly. But, sometimes, it is hard to reach orgasm, just like when I took Venlafaxine. With Venlafaxine, it was impossible to reach orgasm, which is now difficult sometimes. My sleep is always a problem, but I am trying to fix it by improving my sleep hygiene. Please give me your suggestions.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Depression could be one of the main reasons for your decreased orgasm. Kindly answer few questions, do you feel low most of the time during the day? Do you have decreased interest in your daily activities? Do you have decreased appetite? Do you have negative thoughts about your future? Do you feel lonely or stressed mostly?
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
To answer your questions, I do not have decreased orgasms. I have orgasms multiple times daily, and it is difficult. Yes. Lately, I have been feeling low and have difficulties even sitting idle. I find it exhausting. I am unemployed. So, my daily activities are playing video games and watching pornography. I try to do some exercise like yoga, though. No. I do not have decreased appetite. But I have frequent nausea, which is why I dislike eating. Yes, I have negative thoughts about my future. I do not see a future for myself. I have suicidal thoughts. I do not think I would commit suicide, but if I do not wake up tomorrow or if a car hits and kills me, that would be great. Yes, I feel lonely. And even though I could not feel love with the girl I spent a week's holiday with, I still miss her. I tried revisiting her five months ago, but that is when the war started with the flight restrictions.
Please help me.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Then definitely you need treatment with medications for depression as it is of moderate intensity. I recommend you to consult a psychiatrist in your city so that you can get a prescription. Meanwhile, I suggest you to follow few instructions exercise daily, follow a daily routine, try to be productive, consider having daily goals, and try to achieve them. Socializing with friends and family will get you out of loneliness. Have a good diet especially, those rich in vitamin E and serotonin, to improve your depression and orgasm. If you are drinking coffee regularly, kindly avoid it. Drinking excess coffee and tea also decrease your sleep. However, I have one more question for you. Do you drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or any other substances?
I hope this has helped you. Take care.
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
No, I will never take any medications that influence the brain. It did enough damage to me already. But, I will follow the instructions mentioned by you. Yes, I will try following a daily routine. No, I do not drink alone. I always socialize. I do not smoke. I think it is disgusting. I do not drink coffee. I drink tea occasionally, but more in the winter. Thank you for your advice on the diet. I will try that out.
Thank you for your time, doctor. I wish you a good day.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
If there is anything else that I can help you with, do not hesitate to consult me through icliniq.com.
All the best. Take care.
Was this answer helpful?
|Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions:
How to manage Borderline Personality Disorder?
.. your history, which reflects major depressive disorder, but you are right; you have a personality issue that may be a disorder or personality trait called borderline personality disorder. Symptoms of borderline personality disorder are fear of abandonm Read full
Can skipping Lexapro tablets cause suicidal thoughts?Hello doctor, I have taken antidepressants, in particular, Lexapro 20/10 mg for about five years for Generalized Anxiety Disorder ... During the month and a half, I only experienced heightened anxiety Read full
Diagnosis and Management of Psychogenic Movement DisordersStill, it is a manifestation of how their bodies respond to stress ... Just as stress causes an elevation in blood pressure, palpitations, and tremors, it can manifest as movement disorders ... Read full
Also Read Answers From:
Comprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case
iCliniq's FREE Newsletters
Expert-backed health and wellness information, delivered to your email.
Thank you for subscribing to our Newsletters!
Also Read
PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions. Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this. Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades. Read more»
Ask your health query to a doctor online?
Ask a Psychiatrist Now* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.