Anonymous asked this question on 4/14/2000:

I knew a guy that said that taking Zoloft made him feel less bad. The problem was that he felt less bad when he was angry at someone as well. And if he dwelled on negative thoughts such as revenge he did not get the guilty feelings associated with these thoughts that would normally be there, and should be there. He was able to go-off on someone that angered him and do it with little guilt. He told me of a dream he had where someone said something only slightly rude to him. He then cut the guys legs off at the knees and left him crying. He said during and after the dream he felt absolutely no remorse whatsoever, and was only slightly angry. This scared him so he weened himself off the depressant and is fine now. He only needed them to get through some rough times. His point was that the drug seemed to suppress bad feelings whether they were warrented or not, such as when they should be present when doing or thinking cruel thoughts, such as shame, or horror for one's indecent thoughts or actions. His story reminded me of that news story I heard when Prozac first came out. This woman was on Prozac and killed her mother with a steak knife. She blamed it on Prozac. I see there might be a connection. My girlfriend has been on various antidepressants for 11 years and often times doesn't seem to be able to comprehend how she hurts. This is a major problem with us now. Has this "cold-blooded" side effect ever been noticed about antidepressants?, I knew a guy that said that taking Zoloft made him feel less bad. The problem was that he felt less bad when he was angry at someone as well. And if he dwelled on negative thoughts such as revenge he did not get the guilty feelings associated with these thoughts that would normally be there, and should be there. He was able to go-off on someone that angered him and do it with little guilt. He told me of a dream he had where someone said something only slightly rude to him. He then cut the guys legs off at the knees and left him crying. He said during and after the dream he felt absolutely no remorse whatsoever, and was only slightly angry. This scared him so he weened himself off the depressant and is fine now. He only needed them to get through some rough times. His point was that the drug seemed to suppress bad feelings whether they were warrented or not, such as when they should be present when doing or thinking cruel thoughts, such as shame, or horror for one's indecent thoughts or actions. His story reminded me of that news story I heard when Prozac first came out. This woman was on Prozac and killed her mother with a steak knife. She blamed it on Prozac. I see there might be a connection. My girlfriend has been on various antidepressants for 11 years and often times doesn't seem to be able to comprehend how she hurts. This is a major problem with us now. Has this "cold-blooded" side effect ever been noticed about antidepressants?

MARTIE gave this response on 4/16/2000:

Hi I wanted to say yes I have noticed.To many times a person that has any type of depression is right away given these drugs.I have had simular side affects from drugs myself but was always encouraged by doctors to take them.I think that allot of the times counseling will do the trick,these drugs are dangerous to more people then you could imagine.Yes I know first hand..Martie