Patient Who Lives with PSSD Says Condition is Like ‘Being Chemically Castrated’
By Fiona Connor, Senior Reporter for Dailymail.com
Updated 16:43 19 Aug 2023
A man, identified as Hamish, has come forward to speak about his experience living with post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD), a condition that has stripped him of his libido and left him feeling as though he has been “chemically castrated.”
Hamish, a 33-year-old from London, began experiencing the effects of PSSD after taking an anti-anxiety medication in May. Since then, he has lost his sex drive, experienced suicidal thoughts, and suffered from brain fog.
In an effort to prevent others from going through a similar experience, Hamish has decided to share his story and raise awareness about PSSD. He describes himself as a “heterosexual living in an asexual body” and wants others to understand the potential risks associated with medication like SSRIs.
Hamish only took the anti-anxiety medication once before experiencing panic attacks. Concerned about the unusual reaction, he immediately stopped taking the medication. Two weeks later, he noticed numbness in his genitals. He now regrets ever taking the pills, as they have significantly impacted both his mental and sexual well-being.
Living with PSSD has caused Hamish to have suicidal thoughts and become depressed, but he remains hopeful for a potential recovery, despite the absence of a cure. He also experiences difficulties with brain fog and insomnia, further impacting his quality of life.
While prescribed antidepressants can be beneficial for many individuals, they come with potential side effects, including sexual dysfunction. As the use of mood-boosting drugs has increased over the years, with nearly one in five adults taking them in 2020, some individuals continue to experience sexual side effects even after discontinuing the medication.
Ruben Dewitte, co-founder of the support platform PSSD Network, highlights the lack of informed consent as a significant issue. Patients often report that they would have reconsidered taking the medication if they had been properly informed about the potential risks. They also criticize the lack of information about PSSD symptoms, such as genital numbness, on medication labels.
Some antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics, have been found to be the most common triggers of sexual side effects. However, there are alternatives available, such as atypical antidepressants, which can increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine or serotonin.
PSSD can cause not only a loss of sexual desire but also difficulties reaching orgasm and emotional numbness. Many individuals have seen their relationships suffer as a result, and some have missed out on the opportunity to have children. Despite being recognized in medical literature, the exact link between these symptoms and antidepressants remains unclear, as there is limited evidence and research on the topic.
Hamish’s story serves as a reminder to healthcare professionals and individuals alike about the potential risks associated with antidepressant use. It emphasizes the importance of informed consent and the need for continued research to better understand and mitigate the long-term effects of these medications.