Understanding the source of emotional detachment

Some of our patients are emotionally detached as the result of chronic reliance on defenses against their feelings. However, many of our patients have been on antidepressants for years. Reserach indicated that SSRIs, in particular, result in emotional blunting. Helping patients get off medication so they re-connect to their own feelings and emotionally engage with others is a central feature of ISTDP.

[ralfwashington]

Absolutely correct! I was put on them through most of my adolescence and hold resentment towards that. It only paused the issues never addressed them. Now as an adult I'm having to fix decades old trauma that should have been handled through a therapist not a pill pushing psychiatrist. Meds only pause the pain and make you feel you need them to live. Awesome content!

[ivye.]

I could not agree more! I see SSRI induced emotional blunting and detachment so often. The medications can create more problems than they solve, particularly in long term use. Detachment from others, detachment from self. They are then robbed of the ability to feel the pain of their circumstance which could, and should be used as a catalyst for life changes.
Thank you for this.

[andrewfountain]

Thank you for such a great webinar today Patricia. My work will be forever enhanced by what I learned today. So powerful!

[flowerpower]

On Paxil 20 mg for thirty years. This is very informative. I often feel nothing when I should feel sad. Hmmmm and whew! 🤣

[anthonymorris]

Great insight. I wondered if this effect was present and your words today confirm it

[leoy]

Thank you Dr. Coughlin! I could not take part in your webinar since it would start at 11pm here. Hopefully next time.

[danielleonstern]

This is tremendously helpful, and true

[elhamzamani]

Thank you Dr.Coughlin.Does it mean that taking antidepressants make psychotherapy more difficult? Do you recommend not to see patients on antidepressants? I have about one year experience in ISTDP psychotherapy and in my view patients who are on tablets are emotionally kind of flat and I felt they tend to talk about their emotions than feel it. And another question I have, Is it OK that a patient has a psychiatrist who prescribed an antidepressant but the patient takes it for a period then cut it on their own and totally they take it whenever they feel anxious(they take tablets arbitrarily)?

[annasokolova]

Thank you, Dr. Coughlin! What is your usual response if a patient ask your advice about antidepressants? Asking, for example, "should I stop taking antidepressants"?

[michaelschlein]

So complicated. I seen exactly what you're taking about. However, I also have so many clients that have "better therapy" without SSRI's, but more overall stability in life with them.

I would love to hear more of your thoughts about when you recommend vs. Discourage medication with therapy.

[Bobbiejoinscore]

I want to stop feeling empty☹️ the thing that stops me from feeling empty is the song Sarah by Alex G😭

[demonposessed]

Emotional blunting? I used Seroxat for ten years and blunting does not in any shape or form describe what SSRI does with your emotions. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣