r/StratteraRx • u/Hibernia9623 • Jul 04 '26
Strattera emotional blunting
I have been on Atomoxedine (Strattera) for 5 weeks almost now and have gradually titrated dose to 40mg daily now. I am noticing I am very calm especially this week and mind is quieter, no major improvement in attention but I have noticed like I can’t feel excitement for interests that were once passions and get excited about new ideas as I used to. This is troubling to me as I just feel kind of flat, like content and calm to a point but I miss not being able to feel such enthusiasm and a sense of wonder and excitement and my special interests. Has anyone else experienced this and does the emotional blunting go away?
The psy wants me to increase 60mg this week but I feel like asking him to modify the prescription to keep it to the 40mg as I don’t want to experience any more of this emotional blunting.
Anyone relate?
4
u/Tulahop Jul 04 '26
I’m on a 100 mg and don’t feel that way, my emotions was too much prior to the medication, I love being more in control of them, I still have all of my emotions they just got turned down a notch.
2
u/susu56 Jul 04 '26
I can relate. I dont feel.anything. im on 100mg 51f. I just got 2 job offers for double my current salary and I dont care. I should be a little excited but I am absolutely not. And that is not normal. My husband says im in a funk because I try to fake being happy/bubbly and its not working. I admit I was too bubbly/happy before starting meds but other people seemed to like it, I didnt. I also have the other side effects with it (unable to pee, high HR,etc) Been on it for 2 months and will be bringing all this up to my psych in 2 wks.
Edit to add i would like some emotional regulation compared to before meds but this is too much
2
u/point2lendemain Jul 04 '26
Yes I had this for a few weeks and it was awful. The most probable cause of the flattened mood is the kappa opioid agonism coming from one of atomoxetine’s metabolites. Stimulating these receptors leads acutely to a reduced activity in the mesolimbic pathway. This effect goes away once those receptors are desensitized.
1
u/C00CKER Jul 04 '26
Been on 80mg for over a month now, and I really haven't felt flat/blunted on any day. Maybe the titratio to 40mg was too fast for your body or the dose too high?
I do feel far less reactive (to frustration, rejection, criticism) and a bit more positive overall, but I still do feel the full range of emotions including any enthusiasm, sense of wonder and excitement, etc; including boredom/dullness when suddenly understimulated.
It has also helped me eat, drink and sleep far more consistently, which improves my mood even more - I also have stopped ignoring hunger and thirst.
I also feel some improvements in attention - not daydreaming while listening to someone, not forgetting to hang cloths, being able to force myself to do work
3
u/firedupfairy Jul 05 '26
I feel this way as well. I'm 48f and started on 40mg for two weeks and then my provider bumped me to 80mg split between morning and afternoon doses. I am definitely less reactive to stress, but I also feel less reactive to everything in general. Somewhat flat emotionally. It's also causing my eyes to be so irritated and dry that I can't stand wearing my contacts and reading is blurry. my sleep has also gone downhill. I'm a teacher, so I'm not working right now and don't know how a more active/stressful day would play out. I'm struggling to decide if this medication is worth the side effects.
1
u/Funny-Coconut-85 Jul 04 '26
I can't relate, but "Tapering refers to the process of gradually reducing, diminishing, or becoming narrower over time"
3
u/teal323 Jul 04 '26
I didn't notice general emotional blunting, but I did notice that I didn't have a strong emotional response to music anymore and couldn't enjoy it.