Can't feel any emotions on SSRI

I have severe depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I was on 10mg of Lexapro (SSRI) but I couldn't feel any emotions at all so I went down to 5mg and could start to feel some again. However, not just my depression is resurfacing but also severe panic attacks and anxiety. I can't live like this so I'm going back up to 10mg of Lexapro (SSRI)

My question to all those who have experienced this blunting effect on emotions is how you cope with it. How do you live without positive emotions, not being moved deeply by music, or the butterflies to the girl that's right in front of you? This numbing effect hurts my soul to know that I can't experience these things because of the necessity me taking this med.

Is there anything you guys do to feel again? The only thing that has helped me is drinking alcohol and that is a dangerous road.

I've been on 120mg of Cymbalta for, well, let me see, it must be well over two years now. Truth be told, I can't even remember how long it's been. I've also been on Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Abilify, & other stuff either alone or in combination with my SS or SNRI. The 120 mg. per day of Cymbalta I'm on is the highest recommended dosage for that medication.

I do think that the blunting effect you write of does tend to dissipate as time goes by. It does not, however, disappear entirely by any stretch of the imagination. However in my case at least, over time, I've simply adjusted to it to the point where I really don't notice it anymore. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But it seems to be the case with me.

You're correct. Drinking alcohol, to increase your emotional responsiveness, is non-constructive.

I had weird troubles with Lexapro. I got down to 5 but when I tried to get off I became depressed and incredibly sleepy. It was really strange. I went back up to 5.

You've asked a great question. I have several diagnoses and recently decided to stop taking most of the over prescribed medications I was taking. EVERY time I'd go to the psych ward they'd completely change ALL MY MEDS. I think feeling anything is better than nothing.

The blunting effect is common, and a major complaint with meds... For me I had broke up with my gf as soon as I started taking Lexapro. Were back together, but I have trouble feeling passion and love for her like I used to. Things may have faded and this is just normal, hard to tell. One thing that helps some is to add a medicine like Wellbutrin..

Your sig says you have Schizophrenia, so I think this would be a bad idea as it increases the dopamine level in your brain. I would ask your pdoc.. you can try several different meds till you find one with less blunting. SNRIs are sometimes less blunting than SSRIs for some.

I'm fighting for a life worth living here and I just lost the war. Back up to 10mg of my SSRI That means I never will be moved by music. No butterflies for the girl in front of me. Never that awe inspiring moment when I read something new or see a piece of art. That is unless I drink alcohol, copious amounts of alcohol which is the only thing that makes me feel anything when Im on this stuff. It's a dangerous road. fml I've been through enough and now I can't even feel love?! This is crazy! I feel like my soul has been robbed, my passion stolen.