If you don't have depression, taking antidepressants often leads to unpleasant side effects like emotional dulling (feeling flat or numb), increased anxiety, sleep problems, or digestive issues, rather than a "high," because the medication disrupts normal brain chemistry without fixing an underlying imbalance, and can even cause a buildup of serotonin leading to agitation or serotonin syndrome in rare cases. Instead of feeling better, you might experience apathy, reduced motivation, or feel detached, lacking the ability to feel strong emotions, good or bad, explains Arbor Wellness and Verywell Mind.
People without depression who take antidepressants commonly report feeling emotionally “flat” or “numb.” This happens because the medications alter normal neurotransmitter function: Reduced ability to feel both positive and negative emotions. Decreased emotional reactivity to normally joyful events.
Some of the most frequently reported SEs associated with the use of second-generation antidepressants include gastrointestinal SEs, such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, dyspepsia and abdominal pain (Uher et al., 2009).
One of the non-specific side effects of Lexapro is joint pain. Not all patients may experience it. But if your symptoms are worsening with time, seek the help of a medical professional at the earliest. A few other side effects you may face are sweating, tiredness, nausea, dry mouth, and constipation.
When you're benefiting from antidepressants, you should feel: A mood that is less depressed, less irritable, happier, and more content. Excitement for and pleasure in everyday activities and events. An ability to regulate your eating patterns without eating too much or too little.
Antidepressant Addiction Symptoms
Depressants often produce feelings of being relaxed, calm, or to help with sleep. Other short-term effects may include dizziness, poor balance and co-ordination, and slower reflexes. In large doses, depressants may cause drowsiness, nausea, and loss of consciousness.
Common Lexapro side effects include nausea, headache, and diarrhea. It can also cause trouble sleeping and sexual problems. Some of these side effects eventually go away as your body gets used to the medication. More serious Lexapro side effects include abnormal bleeding and suicidal thoughts.
Some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. These problems are usually temporary or mild or both.
Within 24 hours of starting escitalopram, the patient experienced angioedema with periorbital swelling, lip and tongue swelling, urticaria of the face and arms, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing.
Studies have shown an interaction between antidepressants and intestinal microbiota. Antidepressants may alter the abundance and composition of intestinal microbiota, which are closely related to the treatment outcomes of depression.
Overview. Serotonin syndrome is a serious drug reaction. It is caused by medications that build up high levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a chemical that the body produces naturally. It's needed for the nerve cells and brain to function.
Suicidal feelings
There is a possibility that taking an antidepressant could make you feel suicidal. It may happen even if you didn't experience suicidal feelings before. This side effect is mainly with SSRI antidepressants. But it is a risk with all antidepressants.
Avoid driving or operating machinery. Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Drink plenty of fluids. Take your antidepressant at bedtime if your doctor approves.
People with clinical depression often have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters, resulting in very low levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Only a qualified doctor or mental health care professional can determine if taking antidepressants is a good idea for you. However, here's how to know if you might need or benefit from taking antidepressants: You feel persistent sadness or hopelessness. You feel numb or detached from reality.
What causes body aches when you're sick? When you have the flu, a common cold, a virus or a bacterial infection, your immune system jumps into action. It reacts by releasing white blood cells to fight off the infection. The reaction causes inflammation, which can leave your muscles feeling achy.
The long-term side effects of antidepressants such as Zoloft can include emotional numbness, sexual problems, weight gain, reduced positive feelings, and/or suicidal thoughts.
Serotonin syndrome can cause mild symptoms (like diarrhea or nausea) to severe symptoms (like high fever or seizures). In some cases, severe serotonin syndrome can be fatal if not recognized and treated quickly.
You may experience side effects during your first week on Lexapro, including anxiety, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. These effects usually dissipate as your body adjusts to your medication.
IMPORTANT WARNING: has been expanded. Medications such as escitalopram may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. This increase was found in children, teenagers, and young adults (less than 24 years of age). The risk may be more likely with the first few months of treatment and when the dose is increased.
SSRIs that may help reduce anger and irritability include:
Sertraline (Zoloft) Citalopram (Celexa) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Antidepressants can help you feel better by managing symptoms of depression and other conditions. Some of the benefits include: Reducing symptoms like low mood, worry or tiredness. Improving daily functioning, so it's easier to work, go to school or take care of yourself.
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Also known as bars, benzos, blues, chill pills, downers, nerve pills, planks, tranks, and zannies.
One of the widely-reported side effects of SSRIs is 'blunting', where patients report feeling emotionally dull and no longer finding things as pleasurable as they used to. Between 40-60% of patients taking SSRIs are believed to experience this side effect.