In this article, we will discuss why patients feel like zombies when they're on the venlafaxine spectrum. The term 'feeling like a zombie' implies they felt like they were devoid of emotional attachment. And specifically do not feel any empathy. Let's discuss in detail the cause of this.
Why Does Venlafaxine Make Me Feel Like a Zombie?
Venlafaxine makes you feel like a zombie if the dose is too high. This phenomenon is also termed Emotional Blunting. The patient feels deprived of all types of emotions including both happiness and sadness.
This is one of the indications that the dose of venlafaxine needs to be adjusted or in some severe cases the switch from one antidepressant to another one is made. The most common symptoms you may feel with venlafaxine high dose is high.
Ineffectiveness towards the feeling of happiness or sadness
Emotional Detachment
Avoiding crowds and people
Sense of loneliness
Sometimes the consequences of high doses of venlafaxine make a person depersonalized. As they feel emotionally dead or numb. This also indicates that the antidepressant is not working and may not be right for you.
If you're facing this issue do discuss it with your doctor so necessary steps will be taken.
What Does Research Suggest?
A study was published explaining the different parameters of the side effects of antidepressants. They classified the side effects into different categories. Four emotional parameters were devised like
Feeling Emotionally Numb
Feeling Not like myself
Reduction in Positive feelings
Caring less about others(loss of empathy)
All the above factors justify the term 'feeling like a zombie.
In the young population, the main effect prominent was feeling numb and not like myself. While in adults the prominent were lack of positive feelings and loss of empathy. Now, here's the important part: These effects can make the original problems for which they were prescribed the antidepressants worse.
In other words, the medication might unintentionally make them feel even more disconnected or emotionally shut off. This could make it harder for them to explore other ways to recover from their emotional difficulties because they're not as open or engaged in their emotional and social lives.
So, in simple terms, some antidepressant medications can cause a "closing down" of emotions and connections with others, which could make the initial problems worse and hinder other potential paths to feeling better emotionally. It's essential for people experiencing these effects to talk to their healthcare provider so they can adjust their treatment plan if needed.
Takeaway
If you're feeling symptoms of being emotionally numb or like a zombie then it's a good indicator for you to adjust your dose of venlafaxine or switch to some other antidepressant. The main symptom of antidepressants is to become socially aloof and if the drug is contributing to this scenario then you should talk to your doctor about switching.
0 Comments