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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by threeBmom on October 2, 2015, at 21:34:24
Thank you for letting me join. I come in search of advice. My daughter-in-law, who was happily married to my son a few weeks ago, began taking an ssri, Zoloft. She said she was on the lowest dose possible for only about a month. Shortly after beginning the anti-depressant, she suddenly decided that she was done with my son and wanted a divorce. I feel strongly that it is the ssri causing this. She's also pulled away from all her friends and family. Will this personality change be permanent? Is there anything that we can do to reverse the effect that it has had on her?
Posted by bleauberry on October 3, 2015, at 6:13:58
In reply to Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by threeBmom on October 2, 2015, at 21:34:24
Antidepressants can change personality by way of emotional numbing, or sometimes, the opposite, an emotional awakening which is actually a false awakening seen through colored glasses. In other words, thinking processes can change.
For example, a lifelong musician who starts an antidepressant may soon discover that their desire to play the instrument disappeared or is no longer rewarding.
Antidepressants commonly cause an emotional numbing. The result is that while the lows are dampened or gone, the highs also are dampened or gone. I think they are wrongly named antidepressants. They are actually emotional anesthetizers.
Antidepressants can also make people irritated, nervous, rageful, emotionally uncomfortable in some way.
So yes, if the marriage has changed on psychiatric drugs, I can understand why.
Posted by Linkadge on October 3, 2015, at 6:36:32
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by bleauberry on October 3, 2015, at 6:13:58
I would agree. I was in a relationship and after starting citalopram, I wanted out.
Ssri's can cause akathesia and a feeling of wanting to get out or be independent / alone.
Ssris can improve ones sense of self sufficiency and the feeling of not needing to depend on others.
My experiences.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on October 3, 2015, at 7:18:51
In reply to Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by threeBmom on October 2, 2015, at 21:34:24
Question: What field of medicine does her doctor practice?
People can have negative reactions to almost any antidepressant. It depends on the wiring and chemistry of the brain. Each person has a unique combination. Negative effects can be psychological in nature. It can cause more anxiety and depression than what was there originally. It can cause anger and hostility. It can cause apathy and emotional numbness. Thoughts can turn negative, and a small number of people can become suicidal. All of that being said, it is my observation that more people benefit from antidepressant treatment than are harmed by it. One sometimes needs to try several different antidepressants; sometimes from different chemical classes.
Since we are starting at the end-point, not knowing why this person is being treated in the first place, we have little to go on but associations in time.
1. If this behavior began soon after the introduction of Zoloft, we must look at the Zoloft as the most likely culprit.
2. Of course, it is possible that your daughter-in-law was never happy with the idea of marriage in the first place, despite what everyone saw on her exterior. The Zoloft might have been prescribed for the anxiety and depression that can come with feeling trapped in a relationship or marriage.
I am guessing #1.
Linkadge describes one possibility. Zoloft has more of a propensity to produce akathisia than the other SSRIs - probably due to its ability to block sigma receptors. Akathisia is a strange type of anxiety-like state where someone becomes intensely physically and psychologically restless. They can't sit still and often rock back and forth when sitting. When standing, they shift their weight from one foot to the other constantly and often pace. In my opinion, the word "akathisia" is over-used and too often used to explain the anxiety that can be produce by any SSRI during the first few weeks of treatment.
If bipolar disorder is present, using antidepressants can produce unpredictable results. Indeed, people can become angry and frustrated. The more severe the manic reaction to the drug, the more people's thoughts can become erratic, and even psychotic. A bipolar manic reaction can easily explain a change in thoughts and behavior. People who become bipolar often believe that their previous life was a sham and that their true self requires them to live a completely different life.
Although apathy and emotional numbing can occur in some people who take SSRIs, it is not universal. I have experienced this myself on several drugs. I tend to be less apt to make major decisions in life while in this state. There is a lack of motivation to take action, and emotions are muted in such a way as to not have strong enough feelings to want to make changes. They are unhappy, but more content to leave things alone.
So, we come back to associations. Since we cannot establish psychosocial or biological cause-and-effect, associations in time may be our only clue. And yes, Zoloft can certainly be the cause of the effect you observe. However, this does not exclude the successful use of other antidepressants if depression or anxiety are problematic.
- Scott
Posted by threeBmom on October 3, 2015, at 10:04:39
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce » threeBmom, posted by SLS on October 3, 2015, at 7:18:51
So does anyone know if the emotional blunting effect will just wear off, or would we need to take some action, like another anti-depressant (scary to me, a drug to counteract another drug) or should we push for counselling?
Posted by SLS on October 3, 2015, at 14:03:01
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by threeBmom on October 3, 2015, at 10:04:39
> So does anyone know if the emotional blunting effect will just wear off, or would we need to take some action, like another anti-depressant (scary to me, a drug to counteract another drug) or should we push for counselling?
Answer: No. Emotional blunting doesn't usually go away, although it may lessen.
Answer: Yes. Switching to another antidepressant is a good idea if you want to pursue medical treatment. I don't blame you for being scared.
Answer: Yes. Counseling is a good idea - with or without medication.
Question: How do you know that she is emotionally blunted rather than experiencing some other mental state? I am very curious.
Question: Why was she given antidepressants in the first place?
Question: Is she seeing a specialist in biological psychiatry?
This must be tearing you apart. I'm sorry. I hope you can help to restore stability and happiness.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 3, 2015, at 14:20:05
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by bleauberry on October 3, 2015, at 6:13:58
This sounds pretty familar to be honest. I did similar stuff on Nardil.
Posted by threeBmom on October 3, 2015, at 14:22:10
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce » threeBmom, posted by SLS on October 3, 2015, at 14:03:01
She was very happily married mid-August, but had started new job that was stressful. Went to a physician's assistant for anxiety and he put her on both zoloft and klonopin. Three weeks later she wants a divorce. I truly believe she was happy before; she is one of the most honest people I know. For a switch in meds, would you go to Wellbutrin instead? Since it's not an ssri? Does it also involve risk of emotional blunting? I guess I don't know for sure it is emotional blunting, but she went from a joyful, loving, wife to a deadpan, no compassion, no loyalty person almost overnight. No willingness to see a counselor, or to talk about issues, just DONE. You mention "biological psychiatry"- I will have to see if we have a specialist in our area. My son visited a psychologist to ask about the possibility this was caused by the anti-depressant, and he said " highly unlikely". She had a pretty rough childhood, adopted at 9 after multiple foster homes, so counseling would be a good idea, but I doubt she'd do it. Pretty resistant to us all right now. Thanks for your kindness.
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 3, 2015, at 14:23:06
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by Linkadge on October 3, 2015, at 6:36:32
Even if that sense is completely false!!!
And not just SSRI.
> Ssris can improve ones sense of self sufficiency and the feeling of not needing to depend on others.
>
> My experiences.
>
> Linkadge
Posted by threeBmom on October 3, 2015, at 14:36:20
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce, posted by Lamdage22 on October 3, 2015, at 14:23:06
Sad, isn't it, Linkadge? Seems like our well-being and happiness is at its best when we need each other. Saddest is that they have a young child who needs them both, but may never have them together again. I pray it doesn't turn out that way.
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 4, 2015, at 3:13:19
In reply to Re: Anti-depressants and divorce » Lamdage22, posted by threeBmom on October 3, 2015, at 14:36:20
divorce sucks. I can tell from personal experience.
This is the end of the thread.
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