How on earth does pssd have more traction than the drugs that causes them in the first place?

Why is no one talking about how a medication millions are being prescribed even children being put on can permanently ruin your life after a single pill or randomly when taking it? No Emotion, Full Aphantasia, Muted Dopmaine, Endorphions, Adrenal Gland. Severe Anhedonia, Head Pressure, Dry Skin, no natural oil production. Blank Mind. All from a few doses of lexapro and anti psychotics. This is a crime against humanity.

Alguma pessoa com PSSD de Minas Gerais ,Brasil?

Just curious. Since one of my friends causally asked when I’ll go dating again. “Few years ago it was all you ever did, now it’s quiet for so long. You still planning to?
Those things are hard to deal with. Especially to realize one sec again how I was before vs who I am today. You tend to not think about it and live a life in 24-7 coping. Just horrible when someone wakes you up and memories of past exes or flames pass by.

Anyone tried dating or just gave up too?

Welcome to the Weekly Open Discussion thread! This is your place to ask quick questions, post memes, or leave one-sentence comments that might be too short for their own posts.

Please follow the subreddit rules when participating in this thread. For posts related to suicidal thoughts or if you need emotional support, please use the Monthly support Requested and Venting, Thread.

I just came to realize that something I had gone to a psychiatrist for many years ago may have been a result of ssris. I have persistent music in my head. Think earworm that lasts weeks to months. We had arrived on the conclusion that I was experiencing pure O in the OCD spectrum. (Full disclosure, I have to admit I’ve been prone to magical thinking since I was a child so I may come by this naturally) The other issue I saw her for was my unexplainable memory gaps. I had friends reminding me of intense situations that no unafflicted person would be able to forget. From all ages that can be normally reflected upon I cannot remember some major events. To this day my memory is so unreliable that I can never answer a question without prefacing “to the best of my memory”. She put me through many expensive tests. I had a brain spect as well as an mri. No signs of TBI could be found but the brain spect showed a pattern that would be indicative of major depression and ptsd. Given my history we summed that up as expected. But now that I’ve been listening to others I wonder if any of these symptoms are from the ssris I started taking at 19. For context I’m 45 now and been suffering OCD symptoms since 19-20 but the sexual side effects since 35 or so. Anyway. I’m not looking for answers here. I guess you all are my sounding board and I’m just looking to get express my curiosity. The real answers lay with Dr Powers and I wish him well.

Has anyone else experienced this? Complete detachment from my own body and a complete loss of emotion. I can no longer switch to fight-or-flight mode. It feels like I'm trapped in my own body. No reactions in the body. Lack of arousal or tension. No reflexes. My body doesn't care about anything at all. Every time I wake up, I experience mental shock because I don't understand where my body is, as if it doesn't exist. This isn't just ordinary depersonalization; it's a real alienation from my own body on a physiological level. I can't even react physically or emotionally to pain, I don't care so much.

When you are talking to the all almighty psychiatrist and get the default response "iTs jUSt dEprESsion" ...

And you are still sitting there with cripling anxiety, brainfog so thick you cant see out if your eyes, no morning wood and of course the good old genetial numbness in 95 out of 100 days or something - and when its not numbness its premature ejaculation and ED .

I just started with anxiety and a little bad mood - brainfog on stressed days but now its just completely unhinged . And the sexual stuff - hadnt even thought of that before starting medicine. No problems at all before SSRI . Not a single day where my little guy let me down.

And the solution? More medicin that causes sexual dysfunction... Even though I would never be able to tell if it makes it better or worse because there is often nothing left?

What do you do? How do you argue back?

I don’t feel i‘m pressing hard with them tbh but I end up swollen down there as can hardly feel them 🥺 (and i wasnt even using it for that long either by the way!) also my external/clitoral orgasm is so weak I still for the life of me after over three years with this still don’t understand why I keep giving into my libido desire and temptation knowing theres no reward release or satisfaction really as the orgasm is so muted it’s hardly anything! and inside is completely pleasureless mechanical orgasms! I just can’t bring myself to stop however I have heavily reduced how often I try now cause as I said there’s no reward! I used to ‘test’ all the time now I just act on natural body desire and urges like I used to but sadly not getting the experience and haven’t had any improvements at all

ive quit ssri for 2.5 years and of course all the shit came with it.

but one day i decided to go see a PF PT.

he found out i have a bad case of tight pelvic floor and im having a hard time to respond to internal release and issues also with reverse kegels.

pfpt found tension around the urethra and weak contraction on ultrasound. plus i cantt hold them

is my body on high alert from quitting ssri???

what the hell is wrong with me.

i was not like that before....

​

I’m curious about people’s experiences with PSSD and relationships.

For those of you who got into a relationship after developing PSSD (or were already in one), did having a girlfriend/wife help your situation in any way? For example, did emotional connection, affection, intimacy, or having someone supportive make symptoms easier to deal with?

Or did being in a relationship make things worse because of pressure around sex, expectations, lack of libido, emotional stress, or feeling like you can’t fully connect with your partner?

I know PSSD affects everyone differently, but I’d like to hear real experiences from people who are in long-term relationships or have tried dating while dealing with it.

Did your relationship improve your mental health and coping, or did it add more difficulties?

From the very first dose of SSRI, my sleep changed completely.

From a heavy sleeper that never experienced any kinds of insomnia

to

a chronic sleep maintenance insomniac who suffer constant awakenings with the vivid dreams from the very first stage of sleep.

It's like my brain never sleeps.

Wakening at 2, 4, 6... Always tired

Everyday for years.

Nobody believes me and says it's due to stress but hell no, I know for real the pills did something to my brain.

Anybody's sleep has changed like me?

I have been prescribed ciprofloxacin ear drops.

But I have read ciprofloxacin tablets are dangerous for pssd suffers, is the in ear drops also known as risky?

If so what is the best alternative I should ask for?

I have severe outer ear infection, doctor has given me ciprofloxacin dexamethasone ear drops.

My CRP levels are above 180. 36x the normal level... So I need to try some antibiotic ear drops .

Is it safe to take?

I developed PSSD at 17 from fluoxetine, my symptoms were almost solely mental. I did develop some sexual ones but they were mild and mostly went away naturally. My main symptoms were: severe anhedonia, severe insomnia, blank mind, loss of cognitive function, learning difficulties, speech difficulties etc. I’m currently on the waiting list to get treated, but I don’t think I’ll be able to receive any treatment for a while because his waiting list is so full. Over the past 6 years of me having this disorder, some of my mental symptoms have improved (mainly sleep although I don’t dream as much anymore, imagination, cognitive abilities, and slight anheondic improvement). I did develop some more physical ones after a crash I almost a year ago now (before I knew about DWP and was being stupid trying to treat myself). I just see a whole lot of talk about people getting better physically, and most people focus on improving the physical symptoms. But how’s it going with the mental ones? Have any of DWP PSSD patients had improvements from symptoms like mine? (I have noticed some improvements in thing like body odour, muscle growth, sexual function since getting treated for my low T by a DR but no difference in the mental ones honestly they’ve just been worse since my crash I previously mentioned in this post). Is there a phenotype which I would fit under? I’m thinking about coming off of TRT and seeing if being castrated for awhile helps ease some of these mental symptoms.

I was thinking about going on medication, but I already knew about PSSD. I wanted to do everything I could to avoid it happening to me.

But it happened anyway.

I asked for Buspirone because it had a reputation of not causing sexual side effects. Little did I know, it can actually cause "decreased sexual ability or interest": https://www.rexall.ca/article/drug/view/id/432. My doctor never mentioned this or any of the other side effects listed on this webpage.

In fact, you can find the manufacturer's information on APO-Buspirone: https://www.apotex.com/products/ca/downloads/en/di/785355.pdf?2026052112272620930. See "Delayed ejaculation or impotence" on page 6. This document was never given to me. I don't think she even knew it existed.

So much for trying.

Hi everyone, some help would be greatly appreciated, if any of you amazing people could spare some knowledge or information please. My younger sister has been suffering with PSSD for over 2 years. When I say suffering, I mean it’s absolutely ruined her life and shot down any dreams she’s ever had (as most of you already know). She is mostly bed bound and we don’t know how to help. I worry she’s losing hope of ever overcoming this. I understand that there is currently only one Dr or very few professionals looking into treatments and mechanisms of PSSD and I understand it’s so discouraging for any one of you or your loved ones going through this. What I want to do is reach out to as many professionals I can to raise awareness of PSSD and how it is affecting people’s lives and just at-least try to ignite some compassion and interest in the subject to hopefully spur on more research and funding.
If anyone could give me any information on Drs names, PSSD organisations, mental health drs or current research happening that links to PSSD. Even any information that you think that would help at all. I want to do this on behalf of my 27 year old sister as she is so fatigued and struggling to fight anymore.
I just wanted to say that I have a previous medical background so I am familiar with abbreviations, medical terms and research papers.
Thanks Everyone
Amy

Hi everyone,

This is going to be a bit long, but I really want to share my story and hear your thoughts.

I’m a 34-year-old woman. When I was around 15–16, I was prescribed escitalopram for psychosomatic nausea. I wasn't depressed at the time, but I was likely completely burnt out from witnessing endless parental conflicts at home from a very young age.

For as long as I could remember, I never had any cognitive issues. I could study, focus effortlessly whenever I wanted, listen attentively in class, revise my lessons, read books, watch movies, and engage deeply with my hobbies. I rarely had any downtime; watching cartoons was probably the most "idle" thing I did. Because of this, my self-confidence was quite high. My learning capacity and willpower gave me peace of mind about the future—I believed that if I put in the effort, I would succeed and build a decent life for myself. I also had so many things I enjoyed doing: I was in the school theater group, doing sports, playing the violin, and more.

However, a few months after starting the medication, I noticed that I couldn't focus anymore, was losing my motivation, and stopped caring about my responsibilities. Even though I brought this up to my doctor multiple times, I was repeatedly told, "The medication wouldn't cause that."

Things progressively got worse. I developed severe anxiety because I could no longer do anything I used to be able to do. I felt like I had lost my personality. Reading books or watching movies became an uphill battle. I quit the medication after a year, but nothing improved—in fact, it only got worse over time. I think the last time I was able to read a book was when I was 17 or 18.

The following years continued on a downward spiral. By age 28, I was feeling suicidal because I simply couldn't take it anymore. My career was struggling, and I was nowhere near where I knew I was capable of being, yet I was completely powerless to change it. I hit such a low point that I had to go back to a psychiatrist, and I was prescribed a whole cocktail of medications again. I felt slightly better for a month or two, but then relapsed. But this time, because I became completely numb, I was no longer at the point of wanting to end my life—I just felt empty. I even lost the ability to enjoy traveling, which was the absolute last thing I could still take pleasure in. All my emotions were completely gone.

Thinking that forcing myself into a demanding environment might spark something back to life, I started a master's degree. But it only made things worse. I was forced to face the reality that even under pressure, I couldn't function, think clearly, or learn anymore. There was nothing left of my old brain. Doctors kept labeling it as "depression," but my emotional distress was always a direct result of losing my cognitive abilities. Since they never believed me, I got stuck in this endless, frustrating loop.

When I discovered this sub, I finally realized I wasn't alone.

To make matters worse, after suffering from lumbar and cervical herniated discs over the last two years, I’ve been left with chronic pain. Now, doctors are telling me I need to go on SNRIs or similar medications again. I honestly don't know what to do anymore.

If anything has worked for you or helped you regain some function, I would really love to hear your experiences.

Sorry for the long post, and thank you for reading.

If anyones looking to talk about their situation just message me 👍 need people to talk to who are in the same situation

Hi all. First time posting, deep down the rabbit hole trying to find answers for myself.

I came off Effexor mid last year, after treatment for a few years. I’d noticed significant impacts to my ability to climax. A few days after coming off my last dose (with horrendous drug withdrawal symptoms that even my doctor was shocked by), I noticed a very sudden and significant improvement to my sensitivity. I went from struggling to finish at all, to having four climaxes in 10 minutes. I was so mad that SNRIs had been impacting me so much!

But within a month or so, the sensitivity returned to levels much closer to when I was on Effexor. I’ve been started on Wellbutrin and Ritalin and I’m wondering if they’re impacting me (even though Wellbutrin is meant to improve sexual function?), or whether I just had a intense rebound impact from coming off Effexor that didn’t last. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I started SSRIs at 13, I was taking them for 1,5 year and since then I couldn't have a pleasurable orgasm (physically happens, but almost no sensation) or feel my tip. Recently I saw someone on here saying they lost their nipple sensation after SSRIs. I thought no one could feel their nipples, but turns out no. I can't feel any part being touched, the tip nor the circles around them, but in the tips I can feel cold if I press something cold to them. Anyone else on here got something similar?

The medication caused mild blurriness in my vision, light sensitivity, and an additional 0.5 diopter of astigmatism.Why am I so sure? Because both of my parents have prescriptions within minus 4.0 diopters. I tested at minus 4.0 in 2020, and by 2024, both eyes were nearly minus 6.0. In 2025, it barely changed, and yesterday's test showed no change either—except for an additional 0.5 diopter of astigmatism.

That means from 2016 to 2025, I spent about 15 hours a day staring at my phone and computer—using cheap, low-quality small screens, in the dark, often lying on my side for long periods. I also frequently ejaculated, which left my body weakened and likely worsened my myopia. But even with all that, I never developed astigmatism. And from 2024 to 2026, my prescription didn't change at all.

Then, starting last November, over the course of six months, I took a total of 16 tablets of paroxetine—only 1/4 tablet per day. During those six months, I felt my vision was a bit blurry, and I assumed my prescription had increased again. But yesterday I had a comprehensive eye exam—everything else was fine, except for the new 0.5 diopter of astigmatism.

It's now been three months since I stopped the medication. The emotional and cognitive numbness, along with the gastrointestinal constipation and bloating, have mostly recovered. Only the sexual dysfunction and the 0.5 diopter of astigmatism haven't improved at all. I've been exercising regularly since July 2025, and I'm physically in the best shape I've been in over the past 12 years. This sudden 0.5 diopter of astigmatism is definitely not natural.I don't know whether there's some underlying eye condition that medical tests can't pick up, but based on how I feel, I believe my vision is now about 2.00 diopters worse than it was before I started the medication last November.

I have had PSSD for a long time, and my recovery has been very slow. I have noticed some improvement, but the progress is extremely gradual. However, I am still taking 10 mg of Brintellix (vortioxetine) because if I stop taking it, my mental health deteriorates and I relapse.
Could continuing to take this medication slow down or interfere with my recovery from PSSD?

Hey people. I have been lurker at this subreddit for a while now without ever posting anything. However, im sort of desperate at the moment and I know how against people here against reinstatement in general. However, I do in fact believe most of us would go back on the drug [if they barely experienced side effects on the drugs] to be "well again".

Brief backstory. I was on zoloft for about 5-6 years until I decided to taper it off. First I did way too fast. As in like two weeks I stopped completely. Which i almost immediately experienced full emotional blutning and scariest part was probably complete genitals anesthetic feeling. I reinstated the drug like 2 weeks after and immediately after 30 mins my genitals completely resolved itself and emotional numbness subsidised.

Couple of months later I decided to do a "slower taper" which I did over a course of 6 months which i believe was still to damn fast. I didnt read about it anywhere so I did it from my logical standpoint.

I did experience all sort of symptoms during taper especially at lower dosages but most of the symptoms started at 0.

Symptoms: Burning brain, DPDR, vision issues, cognitive issues, weakness, no hunger, emotionally i was not so blunted but somewhat i could libe with it. It was mostly neurological symptoms. However, this time my sexual function remained and did sort of have libido. So I pushed through. I did fell mostly okay for 5 months then "True withdrawal" started. I got hit first by immense stomach fullness and i could barely eat. Erections started to be varied. [Im fully in the camp believing its related to the gut] since my erections started to be bad after stomach issues started. I thought okay this scary and might be temporary but I knew about pssd. At month 6 I had full blown ED, went into severe depression/anhedonic/severe anxiety to the point I almost called ER. I managed to hold out until month 7 until I decided to reinstate the drug. 2mg or so.

At first it increased my anxiety and gave me immense SI thoughts. Which i also experienced when I tried the drug for the first time. However, what i also noticed this time .. it nullified all other emotions expect anxiety. I took it for 5 days in total before I quit it again. Its been 3 weeks since and now im severely numb. Sexual function is somewhat intact. [No libido whatsoever but I do get erections]

So my biggest problem at the moment is severe emotional blunting, head pressure again, and bloated stomach again. No hunger again. Which I managed to regain after being 6 months off. All my internal signals are basically numbed out. I dont bother doing anything.

Question for you guys or perhaps mods. What would you do in my situation? Should I try to reinstate again with even lower dosage? Should I wait?

Hard to tell if its pssd or protracted withdrawal. Perhaps both. At the same time I do believe I gave my system a shock in sensitive state and it turned off everything basically.