Emotional side-effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: qualitative study
2009/08/31 by Jonathan Price, Victoria Cole, Guy M. Goodwin +1 · 361 citations
Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Cardiac Health and Mental Health #Comparative and International Law Studies #Computer science #Criminal Law and Evidence #Fluoxetine #Internal medicine #Legal processes and jurisprudence #Medicine #Mental Health Treatment and Access #Pharmacology #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Reuptake inhibitor #Serotonin #Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors #Side effect (computer science) #Treatment of Major Depression
paper · pdf · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.108.051110
published in The British Journal of Psychiatry 195(3), 211-217 (Cambridge University Press)
openalex publication_date 2009/08/31 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Some people who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants report that their experience of emotions is 'blunted'. This phenomenon is poorly understood. AIMS: To understand patients' experiences of this phenomenon. METHOD: Qualitative study, gathering data through individual interviews, a group interview and validation interviews; and searching patient websites for relevant posts. RESULTS: There was strong evidence that some people taking SSRIs experience significant emotional symptoms that they strongly attribute to their antidepressant. These emotional symptoms can be described within six key themes. A seventh theme represents the impact of these side-effects on everyday life, and an eighth represents participants' reasons for attributing these symptoms to their antidepressant. Most participants felt able to distinguish between emotional side-effects of antidepressants and emotional symptoms of their depression or other illness. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional side-effects of SSRIs are a robust phenomenon, prominent in some people's thoughts about their medication, having a demonstrable impact on their functioning and playing a role in their decision-making about antidepressant adherence.
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