friend recently started taking sertaline and it has changed her feelings about her boyfriend

[msamp33]

My girlfriend started taking sertraline about two months ago.  Right away, both of us noticed differences about how she acted towards me, and now, she doesn't have any attraction for me and has lost feelings for me.  She also says she doesn't feeling anything for anyone or anything anymore.  We have been dating for a long time, and this past summer were having serious conversions about our future.  I'm sorry I don't know very much about depression medications, but is this a common thing to happen?  Are there any other drugs she could try for her depression that wouldn't have this side effect?  How long are people usually on a drug like this?  Also, do you think that her changed feelings/ feeling nothing is because of the medication or actually a change of feelings?  Thanks a lot.

[AmyKelley317]

I would like to comment on my experience with Anti-depressants.

I am living proof that ANTIDEPRESSANTS  DO MESS WITH EMOTIONS! I have tried many many meds before that didn't work for my depression ,until i felt suicidal. My Psychiatrist put me on Effexor XR.
It took about 4 months to work for me. I wanted to get off it after a month but he convinced me to hang in there. I did, and here I am for the first time in my life saying that I actually want to live and lone my life.
I have no side effects, except for "Not feeling anything."
This has never ever happened before to me. I used to be sooooo emotional, i would cry over stupid movies, everytime my husband and i fought, and now its like I just dont feel anything. I had 2 people in my family die and my little brother diagnosed with cancer and I haven't shed a tear.
When I was not on Effexor, I would have balled my eyes out for hours.

I CANT CRY.

Sometimes I actually wish I could because when i get overwhelmed or upset i feel like everything is stuck inside me. It's hard to explain, but i know others have felt this being on anti-depressants. My husband actually thinks I dont Love him anymore because It's hard to show emotion towards him. I love him with all my heart and never want to be without him, i try to tell him, but he just does not understand. Alot of people don't.


It's the medication sweetie. Please trust me! NO-ONE knows how an anti-depressant will affect someone beacuse everyone is different. It's all Trial and Error. Maybe go to the Dr. with her and Let him/her and ask those questions, because NO-ONE on here will know!!! We can give advice, but We arent her so we really dont know!!!

[whodunnit]

Hi mate,

Zoloft, or whatever other name it is sold as there, does not cause people to change feelings about loved ones. No anti depressants do that.

Lack of feeling or emotion is a normal depression symptom that A/D's can help solve, not the other way around. They do take time to work so 2 months is not long if she was badly depressed or has been for a long time.

Bringing back our feelings and emotions is a part of the recovery process and there are no time lines for such. It's highly individual.

Do not blame the drug, it is not the drug. She could be on meds for a very long time depending on her condition about which you've told us virtually nothing so I can only guess.

It is rare that a person takes one lot of meds and recovers immediately. Mostly it is a long term thing if it is a deeper depression. What she needs from you is l;oyalty and trust, not accusations that her treatment is hurting YOU.

Be patient and support her else you will lose her.