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?
jay2000 gave this response on 4/15/2000:
How frightening! I've never taken Zoloft. I take Celexa and in the past took Paxil, but I've never had feelings like you describe. I take the Celexa for panic attacks as well as depression (ever seen a depressed person have a panic attack? It isn't pretty.) Anyhooooo......the only problem I had, until my doc upped the dosage, was a flat feeling...No highs, no lows. I didn't like that. I think I had become addicted to my own adrenalin and as wierd as it sounds, I think that a part of me missed being anxious and panicky. This isn't answering your question at all, is it? To get back to YOU, no, I've never noticed a "cold-blooded" side effect. I wish you luck - hopefully your girlfriend will find the right medication that will help her feel better.