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Cited by 147Treatment of Major DepressionSchizophrenia research and treatmentSexual function and dysfunction studies

Emotional blunting associated with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. Do SSRIs inhibit emotional responses?

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Opbroek, Adam, Delgado, Pedro L., Laukes, Cindi, McGahuey, Cindy, Katsanis, Joanna, Moreno, Francisco A., Manber, Rachel·2002·The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
DOI 10.1017/s1461145702002870
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Abstract

Anecdotal and published case reports suggest that some patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) experience diminution in emotional responsiveness. This study aims to define the individual components of emotion disturbed in these patients. Fifteen patients reporting SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction completed the Laukes Emotional Intensity Scale (LEIS), a questionnaire about various emotions. Compared to controls, patients reported significantly (p<0.05) less ability to cry, irritation, care about others' feelings, sadness, erotic dreaming, creativity, surprise, anger, expression of their feelings, worry over things or situations, sexual pleasure, and interest in sex. Total score on the LEIS did not correlate with total score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. In our sample, 80% of patients with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction also describe clinically significant blunting of several emotions. Emotional blunting may be an under-appreciated side-effect of SSRIs that may contribute to treatment non-compliance and/or reduced quality of life.

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Crossref · 10.1017/s1461145702002870

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  • Emotional blunting is regularly reported by depressed patients on antidepressant treatment.

    “Emotional blunting is regularly reported in depressed patients on antidepressant treatment but its actual frequency is poorly understood.”

    From Emotional blunting with antidepressant treatments: A survey among depressed patients (2017) · cites this paper as Opbroek et al., 2002

    The Introduction says patients treated with SSRIs frequently complained of emotional blunting, and the Discussion says its frequency needs further study. The Discussion also says it is unclear whether the finding extends to non-SSRI antidepressants, so the broader reference to antidepressant treatment is not fully supported. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Many patients with MDD treated with SSRIs describe a restriction or diminution in the intensity or frequency of emotions common in everyday living and essential for daily functioning.

    “Many patients diagnosed with MDD and treated with SSRIs described a restriction or diminution in the intensity or frequency of emotions common in everyday living and essential for daily functioning (24, 25).”

    From Emotional Blunting in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Brief Non-systematic Review of Current Research (2021) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Methods and Discussion report that up to 80% of 15 SSRI-treated patients with major depression in remission described blunted emotions. However, all were recruited because they reported SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, so the study does not establish how common this is among SSRI-treated patients with MDD generally. It also did not establish that the diminished emotions were essential for daily functioning. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In a past study using the LEIS, significant reductions were found in 12 out of 18 emotions, with the most prominent reductions in sexual interest, pleasure, and erotic dreams.

    “Results showed significant reductions in 12 out of 18 emotions, with the most prominent reductions in sexual interest, pleasure, and erotic dreams.”

    From Emotional Blunting in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Brief Non-systematic Review of Current Research (2021) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Results (page unavailable) identify sexual interest, sexual pleasure, and erotic dreams among the five most significantly blunted emotions. However, the Results list significant blunting for LEIS items 1–7, 10–14, and 17—13 items, not the claimed 12 of 18. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The observed rates of emotional blunting are in accord with rates suggested in previous studies.

    “are in accord with rates suggested in previous studies (Opbroek et al., 2002; Bolling and Kohlenberg, 2004; Fava et al., 2006).”

    From Emotional blunting with antidepressant treatments: A survey among depressed patients (2017) · cites this paper as Opbroek et al., 2002

  • Anhedonia has a rather low response to SSRI treatment compared with other symptoms.

    “These results could reflect the fact that anhedonia has a rather low response to SSRI treatment compared with other symptoms (Opbroek et al., 2002; Price et al., 2009).”

    From Circuit Mechanisms of Reward, Anhedonia, and Depression (2019) · cites this paper as Opbroek et al., 2002

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [1]1. Delgado PL, Gelenberg AJ (1995). Antidepressant and antimanic medications. In: Gabbard GO (Ed.), Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders (2nd edn), (pp. 1131-1168). Washington, DC : American Psychiatric Press.
  2. [2]2. Delgado PL, Gelenberg AJ, McGahuey CA, Moreno FA (1999). Treatment strategies for depression and sexual dysfunction. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 17, 15-21.

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Authors
Opbroek, A., Delgado, P. L., Laukes, C., McGahuey, C., Katsanis, J., Moreno, F. A., & Manber, R.
Affiliations
  • University of Arizona (US)
  • Case Western Reserve University (US)
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Delgado, Pedro L.
ORCID
Venue
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2002-06
Volume
5
Issue
02
Pages
147-51
ISSN
  • 1461-1457 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-5111
DOI
10.1017/s1461145702002870
OpenAlex
W2082645015
Cited by
147
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
1.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (2 R01 MH48977, R01MH048977, R01 MH48977)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Keywords
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, emotional blunting, emotional responsiveness, adverse drug reactions, depression, treatment non-adherence, quality of life
MeSH terms
Adult, Depressive Disorder, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychometrics, Sex Characteristics, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

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