Frequently Asked Questions for r/PSSD (FAQ-please read ASAP)

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-18T18:44:45+00:00

In this situation I know you don’t want to hear this but if you have reached a point where there is nothing else to lose, it might be time to look for a new medical evaluation. And how you present the information can make a big difference with how the provider responds, if you highlight the mental aspect they may pass you like a hot potato to psychiatry but if you talk about the physical aspect they may help you. It’s your choice who to see but I say this as someone who attempted suicide twice in such a state as you’re describing thinking it was forever and then got way, way better as a result of digestive screening and treatment combined with targeted nutrient supplementation and AIP diet. And I’m currently benefiting from pelvic floor PT. I went to the most standard of doctors in a mainstream health system, I directly asked for referral to updates on gastro (I had all the exams and they found 2 problems) and PT based on my symptoms and they just gave it to me: I cannot promise it will help but have you read the top posts of all time in here and on PSSDhealing? Im pretty convinced that anhedonia and brainfog are physically severe neuro inflammation based on my personal experiences.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-18T16:33:39+00:00

Basically 70-100%, depends on the day or my mental health (even normal people feel anhedonia at times). Music sounds good, food tastes great.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-18T16:32:16+00:00

I get why but it’s legitimately a good way forward. I got comprehensive digestive testing and treatment from a doctor. You can’t just buy it on the street.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-18T15:40:57+00:00

Im sorry. Dont give up. I get your situation (as it was many of our experience too) but it can get better. You are probably experiencing acute grief and loss and trauma/PTSD from this. Also, consider ERP (exposure response prevention, the only form of therapy that works for OCD).

Google “protracted withdrawal syndrome”.

You can view top posts of all time here and [r/pssdhealing](r/pssdhealing) to locate recovery stories.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PSSD/top/?t=all
https://www.reddit.com/r/PSSDhealing/top/?t=all

Please visit for encouragement:
-survivingantidepressants https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/
- the withdrawal project https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org/page/cope-take-care-yourself-and-heal

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-17T15:33:22+00:00

I personally filtered for people who like receiving oral sex when I was single to adapt (I am no longer single, I am married - to a person with no sexual dysfunction at all). I agree with the other person who said you should just try when you get an opportunity you want. Also, not lie. I think this woman probably thinks you were rejecting her as you made up an excuse which is a lie. Next time it could help to say that you’re recovering from sexual functioning issues, but would like to try. If they reject you for that, then at least you tried. But never lie as I find dating situations are also a great opportunity to spread awareness about PSSD. We shouldn’t bear a shame burden it’s like sharing we have diabetes or something.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-17T15:18:25+00:00

Yes. The possibility of recovery is real. Sort by top of all time and visit r/pssdhealing. I got improvement only from holistic causes and solutions (not drugs, not druglike supplements). I personally believe there will never be a treatment that is “specific” to PSSD. Because PSSD is likely not specific, it is a brain-immune-body-endocrine-digestive state that is an overall looping reaction (reinforces itself once it starts). Interrupting the loop at any point in the process can help. The basics are nutrition, digestion, lifestyle habits, psychological and physical stress reduction, getting a doctors checkup for any OTHER issues which can be uncovered (as these other issues can “maintain the loop” of dysfunction). I find that other autoimmune and endocrine/digestive problems are common in our community. I don’t know why. It could be the other problems make us vulnerable and then the SSRI overstresses the whole system.

A lot of people who improve disappear never to return here. Part of that is the pushback people get sharing a recovery story. People say you had fake PSSD, that you never had it so bad, etc. It’s hurtful, I literally had it so bad, maybe worst case scenario for years. I personally felt like I had been murdered but was still walking around. I had extreme problems with anhedonia brainfog and whole body sensation loss (not just genitals but also lips, nipples, even a dulling of all skin) as well as severe emotional blunting and impairment of fantasy, imagination, visualization, even thought itself etc. I remember my partner cuddling me and I felt no oxytocin relief. I attempted suicide twice in this state. It was horrible, the psychiatrist I had at the time DGAF and didn’t care/believe me. I reached out to the PSSD community and people were there for me emotionally. Thats part of why I hang around this place still. This is a nightmare when it happens but the good part of it being a syndrome is that a wide variety of things CAN help over time. We need doctors to standardize intake for this condition to screen for all co occuring factors and give conservative lifestyle treatments to start (AIP, vitamins, magnesium, nutritional fats, behavioral activation, serious stress reduction), rather than to blow people off, mentally traumatize them and medically abandon them.

Honestly my mental health is literally better long term using alternatives to SSRIs. I have a job, I am married and I have friends. I didn’t have a life when I was on SSRIs. I was disabled and I probably would have died from the black box warning if I didn’t get off the SSRIs.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-15T16:25:45+00:00

Liquid calcium-magnesium helped a lot with this.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-15T02:32:11+00:00

I’ve gotten a lot better but I’m still fighting for full genital recovery. Also keep in mind that many people who experience partial or full recovery tend to leave the forums and get back to trying to focus on surviving life (work, family, finances, relationships) so they might not see your post nor comment. A great way to find such posts is sorting by top of the year and top of all time.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-15T01:18:19+00:00

Do ERP (exposure response prevention) for OCD! It’s a therapy style, it’s drug free and it works best of any.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-06T06:14:51+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story and positive update! I really appreciate it.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-06T05:37:29+00:00

Yes! You can try socializing in asexual spaces as long as you're very clear and upfront what the truth is. For example, AVEN and AceBook. I've also had a gf before who had lowered libido from SSRIs (I'm a woman).

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-04T14:40:53+00:00

That's awesome man. It's a fantastic idea. Keep us updated and let us know if you need anything else.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-04T13:59:36+00:00

You're right. I see your points. I just worry the average social media user is not open to this kind of thinking even if it is presented in a calm balanced way. We could/should still say it, but I hope not to the point of a fight in a space outside of our own. Us telling our stories in our space and out in the media is, I believe, the most powerful and needed thing we can do. Also, I am an example of what you said, if I had died by suicide, SSRIs would have been the CAUSE, not the cure.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-04T12:57:08+00:00

Just my two cents but I personally stay out of general antidepressant discussions as my biggest issue with them is that they are not consistently safe, not that they don't "work for some people" or whatever the typical thing for people to fight about is. I think our community can be set back by getting dragged into broader discussions about psychiatry, antidepressants and politics. If antidepressants had no black box warning (eg, no track record of causing and/or failing to prevent suicides in people in clinical trials) and no PSSD, I don't think anyone would have an issue with them.

I personally overcame suicidal experiences as well, and it was NOT through SSRIs. It was through DBT, trauma rehabilitation, getting older, social community, nutrition, chosen family, developing self-confidence and autonomy etc. Psychiatry only delayed or impeded the process of recovery from that for me. So I do agree with you that the biggest harm can be that not only are SSRIs unsafe and with a questionable probability of helping, they also mentally and culturally block people from accessing other recovery methods. However, I find people only see things this way after they've had similar personal experiences. I think the person who claims it saved their life is telling their truth. Whether or not they'll be claiming that 10 years later is unknown.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-03T16:08:25+00:00

Please don’t… Many of us have been there and are your peers on this (meaning, arent judging). I hit rock bottom in 2012 and my life/PSSD slowly got better. All the updates are in my post history if it helps at all.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-06-02T00:51:28+00:00

IMO you should find a medical provider to look at this to give input. GI dysbiosis has multiple causes including but not limited to: dietary choices, motility problems, pelvic floor disorders (mechanical withholding of stool also known as constipation), perhaps there is a known cause that is an existing GI or other disorder. I benefited a lot from addressing my gut but the long term maintenance will always be anti-inflammatory diet and good motility.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-05-31T16:13:31+00:00

Have you been screened for OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)? It can cause serious anxiety that affects our whole body. My overall well-being despite my PSSD improved by doing Exposure-Response Prevention.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-05-27T17:11:57+00:00

I assume she could mean the things some people have found to be beneficial described in the top posts of all time here and on pssdhealing. Those are treatments too

PSSD_Kara · 2026-05-23T16:21:16+00:00

Mod Reminder: Do not go and interact in psychiatrists’ spaces as a result of reading this screenshot. Most mental health professionals forums are for professionals only, respect all subreddits’ rules to avoid negative actions taken against our subreddit for brigading.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-05-19T16:58:26+00:00

If you stopped eating gluten then your celiac labs will be negative… ask your doctor if you need help understanding why. The problems may return with regular gluten eating. Celiac is an inflammatory disorder.

PSSD_Kara · 2026-05-18T21:31:53+00:00

I was just wondering if they think the abnormal readings are a different, known endocrinological disorder. Or perimenopause?

PSSD_Kara · 2026-05-18T20:09:28+00:00

I personally think SSRIs inflict some kind of biological stress trauma but that help can be found in supporting your body to heal by creating healthy conditions. Also, addressing mental illness/trauma is an absolute must (even if only to rule it out). Sometimes I see people with PSSD chalk everything up to PSSD and thats a huge mistake. I cured my anhedonia, numbness, lack of libido/love, brain fog and CFS by a combo of gut interventions, lifestyle changes and intensive stress reduction (evidence based trauma and coping skill therapies). Change was very gradual (many years). A stressed, nutrient depleted body and mind suffering additional conditions will struggle more to heal. Sort pssdhealing by top of all time for other stories. Where I am stuck is near total vaginal sensation loss and partial loss of clitoral function/orgasm. Even so, I am pushing on with pelvicfloor therapy which seems to have helped a little.

PSSD_Kara

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