Navigating the Zombie Effect: Emotional Blunting with Bipolar Disorder

We discuss the common complaint from people with bipolar disorder of feeling emotionally blunted or like a "zombie" due to their medication. Gabe expresses the people’s frustrations when their concerns seem dismissed in favor of highlighting symptom improvements. Dr. Nicole emphasizes the importance of providing specific examples and patience because medications take time to stabilize. They conclude that to effectively address this issue, people need to clearly communicate their experiences, and psychiatrists need to balance symptom management with quality of life considerations.

Cold Open Transcript:

Dr. Nicole: But feeling like a zombie and not having that passion, to me, those are still two very different things. That's where the disconnect is. So, did you feel like a zombie or were you just less passionate about things?

Gabe: So, once again we get back to where we started, which is that telling your Dr. Nicole you feel like a zombie is just a recipe for misunderstanding. . . And probably not getting what you want.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.

To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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