How Prozac and Wellbutrin Affect Your Moods
When considering treatment for depression or anxiety, two of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants are Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion). Both medications can provide relief from depressive symptoms, but they have notably different side effect profiles.
One of the major potential side effects of antidepressants is emotional blunting. This refers to feeling numb or muted emotions, both positive and negative. Some people feel like their medication turns them into a zombie, making them too apathetic and indifferent.
Can Prozac Cause Emotional Blunting?
Prozac, along with other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, frequently receive complaints of causing emotional blunting. By increasing serotonin availability in the brain, it can dampen strong feelings of sadness but also inhibit feelings of joy or excitement.
One study found that 52% of people taking an SSRI like Prozac self-reported apathy, indifference, or feeling emotionally numb. So if you want to maintain a full range of positive and negative emotions, Prozac may not be the best choice.
Does Wellbutrin Cause Emotional Blunting?
In contrast to Prozac, Wellbutrin works as a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. So instead of excess serotonin, it increases activators and motivators like dopamine. Given its different mechanism of action, Wellbutrin is less likely to cause emotional blunting.
In fact, some research indicates bupropion can counteract SSRI-induced apathy and increase sex drive reduced by other antidepressants. The energizing and motivating effects make it preferable for those who want to avoid emotional muting.
Titrating Your Dosage to Avoid Emotional Blunting
If you are experiencing emotional blunting or apathy from your antidepressant medication, the first step is to talk to your doctor. Sometimes adjusting the dosage can help minimize side effects related to feeling numb while still providing enough depression relief.
Finding the Right Prozac Dosage
Prozac is usually started at 10mg per day, with 20mg being the most common target dosage. But even dosages under 20mg may cause emotional blunting in sensitive individuals. Ask your doctor about lowering to 5-10mg if higher doses mute your emotions.
Finding the Right Wellbutrin Dosage
Wellbutrin dosing usually starts at 150mg twice per day. To limit side effects, find the lowest effective dose that lifts your depression but does not overstimulate. For some, 150mg once per day provides enough emotional benefit without numbness or agitation. Discuss adjusting dosage with your doctor to suit your needs.
Augmenting With a Second Medication
Modifying the dosage is not effective for everyone experiencing antidepressant numbness. Another strategy is augmentation: adding a secondary medication to counteract emotional side effects.
Augmenting SSRIs Like Prozac
Since excess serotonin from SSRIs can cause emotional blunting, adding an antagonist like low-dose buspirone or mirtazapine could help unmute emotions. These medications block some serotonin activity, aiming to find better balance in the brain.
Augmenting Wellbutrin
Although less likely with Wellbutrin, emotional muting is still possible. Augmenting with an SSRI like Prozac may boost serotonin enough to feel empathy and sadness. But it requires close monitoring to avoid new side effects. Discuss augmenting cautiously with an experienced psychiatrist.
Lifestyle Changes and Therapy
Medication adjustments do not help emotional blunting for all people. Additional lifestyle changes and therapeutic techniques can also minimize antidepressant numbness.
Double Down on Self-Care
Ensuring proper diet, sleep, exercise, stress management, and social connection provides a strong foundation for mood stability. When your basic needs are met, you have more capacity for a full range of emotions.
Try Emotion-Focused Therapy
Certain therapeutic approaches help access and process feelings muted by medication. Emotion-focused therapy encourages identifying, accepting, and reflecting on emotions so you stay attuned to inner experience despite antidepressants.
Learning these skills and tools equips you to nurture emotional awareness and counteract apathy, even while psychiatric medication remains necessary for managing depression. With proper self-care and psychotherapeutic support, emotional balance on antidepressants is possible.
FAQs
Does Prozac make you feel no emotions?
Yes, Prozac and other SSRI antidepressants frequently cause some degree of emotional muting or blunting. Over half of people on Prozac report feeling indifferent, numb, or lifeless at least some of the time due to excess serotonin activity.
Is Wellbutrin better for emotions?
Yes, Wellbutrin tends to be better in terms of avoiding emotional side effects. Because its mechanism of action increases motivating neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine instead of serotonin, there are fewer reports of emotional blunting or numbness.
Can you prevent antidepressant emotional blunting?
Strategies like lowering medication dosage, adding an augmenting drug, intensive self-care, and emotion-focused therapy may help counteract emotional muting from antidepressants. But for some sensitive people, the side effect cannot be entirely prevented.
Will emotional side effects from antidepressants go away?
In some cases, yes. Adjusting dosage or switching medications can resolve emotional numbing over time as brain chemistry rebalances. But emotional blunting persists long-term for a subset of unlucky people.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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