Emotional Blunting is reported by nearly half of patients with Major Depressive Disorder on antidepressants, and 46 percent of patients being treated with antidepressants experience emotional blunting. In this episode of Brilliant Together, Dr. Andrea Fagiolini defines emotional blunting and answers key questions about how antidepressants are connected to emotional blunting, and the role and impact of Emotional Blunting in MDD. He also reviews the Oxford Depression Questionnaire studied by Professor Goodwin and his colleagues on the Emotional Side-Effects of Antidepressants (OQESA) and shares his clinical views on how emotional blunting can prevent functional recovery in a patient with depression.
Dr. Fagiolini is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy. He currently serves as Chairman, Chief of Medical Services, and Residency Training Director of the Department of Mental Health and Division of Psychiatry.
Key Takeaways:
[1:02] What is Emotional Blunting, and how is it different from Anhedonia?
[3:20] The connection between antidepressants and (SSRIs and SNRIs).
[4:31] What the role of Emotional Blunting is in depression and how Emotional Blunting is caused.
[6:51] Vortioxetine differs from SSRIs/SNRIs in treating Emotional Blunting.
[8:20] How common is Emotional Blunting in clinical practice?
[13:50] Dr. Fagiolini summarizes the key takeaways from this episode.
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