Age: 18–25 · Duration of use: 1–6 months · Current status: No longer taking
Symptoms: Akathisia, brain zaps, emotional blunting, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, insomnia, depersonalization/derealization, suicidal ideation, severe anxiety/panic, GI disturbances
Symptoms: Akathisia, brain zaps, emotional blunting, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, insomnia, depersonalization/derealization, suicidal ideation, severe anxiety/panic, GI disturbances
I was given SSRIs for 6 months at age 17. I was in perfect health, mental and physical, and was just going through situational stress. Then I cold turkey’d off them.
I experienced severe withdrawal, akathisia, and PSSD. It’s been 6 years and my nervous system is still injured.
I went from being a very bright and active teen, excelling at school and sports, to being bedridden — unable to read, write, or formulate my sentences well. Unable to tolerate light and sound, or feel emotions. Completely numbed and also sexually castrated.
No doctor helps me, and my family and friends turned against me since they don’t believe me.