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How Antidepressants Can Affect Personality

Written by \"\"Erin L. GeorgeMedically reviewed by \"\"Morgan Blair

Published on · Updated on

When starting a course of antidepressants, it’s important to consider potential consequences. How may the antidepressants make you feel? What side effects you may have to contend with? Whether it will change your personality?

Your goal in taking antidepressants it to treat the underlying mental health condition, manage your symptoms and have a better quality of life. However, the notion that the medication you are taking could mess with our personality and thus, interfere with your personal and professional lives, can feel unnerving.

\"A

Key takeaways

  • Antidepressants can affect mood, emotions, and behavior as symptoms improve.
  • Research disagrees on whether reported personality changes reflect direct medication effects or relief from depression and anxiety.
  • Monitoring unwanted changes with a healthcare professional can help guide an individualized treatment decision.

Subject matter expert

\"\"

Leila Khurshid, Pharm.D.

Clinical pharmacy and medication

\n
\n

Can antidepressants affect your personality?

\nAntidepressants are primarily prescribed to alleviate symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. While they can have significant effects on a person's mood, emotions, and overall well-being, there is ongoing debate about whether they directly change a person's personality.\n

Personality is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses numerous aspects of a person including behavioral patterns, interests, drives, values, abilities, and emotional patterns[1].

\n

As antidepressants primarily target neurotransmitters in the brain that influence mood and emotional regulation, they can have an impact on your behavior and emotional patterns.

\n

Some individuals may report feeling more \"like themselves\" or experiencing a sense of relief from debilitating symptoms after starting antidepressant treatment. In this instance, antidepressants are not directly changing a person’s personality – rather they are enabling the person to exhibit their true personality by alleviating the symptoms of their mental health disorder.

\nIt is integral you feel as comfortable as possible and weigh the risks and benefits of antidepressant treatment before starting. Regularly consult your healthcare provider throughout your course of antidepressants and always listen to their direction. Together, you can identify any unwanted side effects, such as personality changes, and manage them effectively.\n

Evidence supporting personality change in antidepressant users

\nWhile some experts attribute personality changes to a patient’s improved symptoms, other researchers believe antidepressants independently change a patient’s personality.\n

There is a body of research which has identified the big 5 personality traits: extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness[2].

\n

In 2009, a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry tested the impact of antidepressants on participants depressions levels as well as two personality traits – extroversion and neuroticism[3]. Extroversion is marked by outgoingness, gregariousness, and a positive mood, while neuroticism involves anxiety, depression, and emotional instability[2].

\n

180 participants with major depressive disorder were either given a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant or a placebo for eight weeks. Both the SSRI contingent and the placebo group experienced a reduction in depression levels[3].

\n

However, while the placebo group showed little change in neuroticism or extroversion, the SSRI group demonstrated sizeable modifications in both. The SSRI group experienced reductions in neuroticism and increases in extroversion four to eight times larger than the placebo group[3].

\nThis led to the researchers to conclude that “patients with major depressive disorder reported substantial personality change during SSRI treatment. Such personality change was not dependent on depression improvement.”\n

Doubts about personality change brought on by antidepressant use

\nIn 2012 a five-year observational study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders contested the findings of the 2009 study.\nIt concluded that no evidence emerged to suggest a correlation between antidepressant use and neuroticism and extroversion levels[4]. It found that it was the improvement in anxious and depressive symptoms that caused the positive changes in neuroticism and extroversion[4].\n

Final thoughts

\nWhen taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider, antidepressants will not radically change your personality.\n

A different line of research examines emotional blunting. In a 2023 study reported by the University of Cambridge, 66 healthy volunteers received escitalopram or placebo for at least 21 days. The escitalopram group showed reduced sensitivity to reinforcement on two learning tasks. This may help explain changes in emotional experience, but it does not demonstrate a permanent change in personality⁠[4].

\n

Although the studies noted in this article explore the relationship, or lack thereof, between antidepressants and personality, there is much that remains unknown. More research is required on the subject before we can definitively assess the relationship between antidepressants and personality.

\n

If you're considering taking antidepressants or have already started them and have concerns about how they might affect you, it's recommended to have an open and honest conversation with a mental health professional.

\n

They can provide you with personalized information based on your specific situation and help you make informed decisions about your treatment.

\n
\n

References

  1. American Psychological Association. (2022, November). Personality. American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association. Accessed October 10 2026.
  2. Power, R. A., & Pluess, M. (2015). Heritability estimates of the Big Five personality traits based on common genetic variants. Translational Psychiatry, 5(7), e604–e604. Nature. Accessed October 10 2026.
  3. Arehart-Treichel, J. (2010). SSRIs Produce Positive Changes in Two Personality Traits. Psychiatric News, 45(2), 22–22. PsychiatryOnline.
  4. University of Cambridge. (2023). Scientists explain emotional “blunting” caused by common antidepressants. University of Cambridge. cam.ac.uk. Accessed October 10 2026.

Medical Content

The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.

About MentalHealth.com

MentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.

\"\"

Author

Erin L. George

MFT

Erin L. George, MFT, holds a master's degree in family therapy with a focus on group dynamics in high-risk families. As a court-appointed special advocate for children, she is dedicated to helping families rebuild relationships and improve their mental and behavioral health.

Published
Updated
\"\"

Medical Reviewer

Morgan Blair, M.A.

MA, LPCC

Morgan Blair is a licensed therapist, writer and medical reviewer, holding a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University.

Reviewed
\"\"

Related community

Medications

Explore questions and perspectives about psychiatric medications and the treatment experience.

","text":"Home Library Medications How Antidepressants Can Affect Personality How Antidepressants Can Affect Personality Written by Erin L. GeorgeMedically reviewed by Morgan Blair Published on October 10, 2023 · Updated on September 2, 2025 When starting a course of antidepressants, it’s important to consider potential consequences. How may the antidepressants make you feel? What side effects you may have to contend with? Whether it will change your personality? Your goal in taking antidepressants it to treat the underlying mental health condition, manage your symptoms and have a better quality of life. However, the notion that the medication you are taking could mess with our personality and thus, interfere with your personal and professional lives, can feel unnerving. Key takeaways Antidepressants can affect mood, emotions, and behavior as symptoms improve. Research disagrees on whether reported personality changes reflect direct medication effects or relief from depression and anxiety. Monitoring unwanted changes with a healthcare professional can help guide an individualized treatment decision. Subject matter expert Leila Khurshid, Pharm.D. Clinical pharmacy and medication Can antidepressants affect your personality? Antidepressants are primarily prescribed to alleviate symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. While they can have significant effects on a person's mood, emotions, and overall well-being, there is ongoing debate about whether they directly change a person's personality. Personality is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses numerous aspects of a person including behavioral patterns, interests, drives, values, abilities, and emotional patterns[1]. As antidepressants primarily target neurotransmitters in the brain that influence mood and emotional regulation, they can have an impact on your behavior and emotional patterns. Some individuals may report feeling more \"like themselves\" or experiencing a sense of relief from debilitating symptoms after starting antidepressant treatment. In this instance, antidepressants are not directly changing a person’s personality – rather they are enabling the person to exhibit their true personality by alleviating the symptoms of their mental health disorder. It is integral you feel as comfortable as possible and weigh the risks and benefits of antidepressant treatment before starting. Regularly consult your healthcare provider throughout your course of antidepressants and always listen to their direction. Together, you can identify any unwanted side effects, such as personality changes, and manage them effectively. Evidence supporting personality change in antidepressant users While some experts attribute personality changes to a patient’s improved symptoms, other researchers believe antidepressants independently change a patient’s personality. There is a body of research which has identified the big 5 personality traits: extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness[2]. In 2009, a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry tested the impact of antidepressants on participants depressions levels as well as two personality traits – extroversion and neuroticism[3]. Extroversion is marked by outgoingness, gregariousness, and a positive mood, while neuroticism involves anxiety, depression, and emotional instability[2]. 180 participants with major depressive disorder were either given a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant or a placebo for eight weeks. Both the SSRI contingent and the placebo group experienced a reduction in depression levels[3]. However, while the placebo group showed little change in neuroticism or extroversion, the SSRI group demonstrated sizeable modifications in both. The SSRI group experienced reductions in neuroticism and increases in extroversion four to eight times larger than the placebo group[3]. This led to the researchers to conclude that “patients with major depressive disorder reported substantial personality change during SSRI treatment. Such personality change was not dependent on depression improvement.” Doubts about personality change brought on by antidepressant use In 2012 a five-year observational study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders contested the findings of the 2009 study. It concluded that no evidence emerged to suggest a correlation between antidepressant use and neuroticism and extroversion levels[4]. It found that it was the improvement in anxious and depressive symptoms that caused the positive changes in neuroticism and extroversion[4]. Final thoughts When taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider, antidepressants will not radically change your personality. A different line of research examines emotional blunting. In a 2023 study reported by the University of Cambridge, 66 healthy volunteers received escitalopram or placebo for at least 21 days. The escitalopram group showed reduced sensitivity to reinforcement on two learning tasks. This may help explain changes in emotional experience, but it does not demonstrate a permanent change in personality⁠[4]. Although the studies noted in this article explore the relationship, or lack thereof, between antidepressants and personality, there is much that remains unknown. More research is required on the subject before we can definitively assess the relationship between antidepressants and personality. If you're considering taking antidepressants or have already started them and have concerns about how they might affect you, it's recommended to have an open and honest conversation with a mental health professional. They can provide you with personalized information based on your specific situation and help you make informed decisions about your treatment. References American Psychological Association. (2022, November). Personality. American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association. Accessed October 10 2026. Power, R. A., & Pluess, M. (2015). Heritability estimates of the Big Five personality traits based on common genetic variants. Translational Psychiatry, 5(7), e604–e604. Nature. Accessed October 10 2026. Arehart-Treichel, J. (2010). SSRIs Produce Positive Changes in Two Personality Traits. Psychiatric News, 45(2), 22–22. PsychiatryOnline. University of Cambridge. (2023). Scientists explain emotional “blunting” caused by common antidepressants. University of Cambridge. cam.ac.uk. Accessed October 10 2026. Medical Content The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy. About MentalHealth.com MentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life. Author Erin L. George MFT Erin L. George, MFT, holds a master's degree in family therapy with a focus on group dynamics in high-risk families. As a court-appointed special advocate for children, she is dedicated to helping families rebuild relationships and improve their mental and behavioral health. Published October 10, 2023 Updated September 2, 2025 Medical Reviewer Morgan Blair, M.A. MA, LPCC Morgan Blair is a licensed therapist, writer and medical reviewer, holding a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University. Reviewed October 10, 2023 Related community Medications Explore questions and perspectives about psychiatric medications and the treatment experience. Table of contentsChoose a section Can antidepressants affect your personality? Evidence supporting personality change in antidepressant users Doubts about personality change brought on by antidepressant use Final thoughts View more","wordCount":1116},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","publishingPrinciples":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing/editorial-policy"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#website","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/can-antidepressants-change-your-personality#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Library","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Medications","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/medications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"How Antidepressants Can Affect Personality","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/can-antidepressants-change-your-personality"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/can-antidepressants-change-your-personality#primaryimage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/861d21432e0151b425f14867.webp","contentUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/861d21432e0151b425f14867.webp","width":1200,"height":633,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"A healthcare professional writes notes while speaking with an older patient."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/erin-george#person","name":"Erin L. 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How may the antidepressants make you feel? What side effects you may have to contend with? Whether it will change your personality?\n\nYour goal in taking antidepressants it to treat the underlying mental health condition, manage your symptoms and have a better quality of life. However, the notion that the medication you are taking could mess with our personality and thus, interfere with your personal and professional lives, can feel unnerving.","text":"When starting a course of antidepressants, it’s important to consider potential consequences. How may the antidepressants make you feel? What side effects you may have to contend with? Whether it will change your personality? Your goal in taking antidepressants it to treat the underlying mental health condition, manage your symptoms and have a better quality of life. 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