Symptoms: Emotional blunting, Sexual dysfunction, Cognitive impairment, Insomnia, Depersonalization/Derealization, Suicidal ideation, Neuropathy, Muscle/joint pain, Anhedonia, GI disturbances
I am a male, 24 now. From Germany.
I was 21, took escitalopram in 2023 for 4 months because of social anxiety. Quickly noticed a decline in emotional capacity and sexual feelings / reduced genital sensation. Because of those side effects I decided to quit and tapered in 2 weeks.
Because of the sexual dysfunction my psychiatrist prescribed me Wellbutrin, which didn't help and I stopped the medication. Since then I took no medication.
She told me she doesn't know anyone that had persistent sexual dysfunction from these type of drugs. I developed PSSD and lost sexuality as a whole. Also lost every feeling of emotions, and developed strong cognitive impairment. Completely numb genitals, no feeling of romance or attraction and strong depersonalization. I also lost feeling of hunger or thirst, or any gut-brain related signal (feels like it).
I noticed that my gut changed: it slowed down and I can barely eat anything (before I could eat everything). I feel dead to be honest. I know that it all is caused by changes in the gut, because when I was on Keto I had glimpses of more emotion or feeling of sexuality, but I couldn't stay on that diet because I am really thin and felt exhausted all the time.
Now I developed other brain related symptoms like visual snow, which is pretty severe. It's like a snowball effect that over time affects so many systems of my body, but it doesn't seem to heal naturally, it more feels like it's getting worse over time. I also have very low levels of energy and can't exercise anymore.
It hurts to even research that topic and I can't imagine all the pain that people have to go through because of these drugs. I'm so sorry.
I still have some hope that maybe many many years are needed to bring the body somehow back in balance, or god sends me something that helps. I honestly would have no problem with dying at this point but I can't do that to my family.
I talk to my mom everyday and she tries to understand, I'm thankful for her.
I wish you all the best, because I feel alone everyday, but I hope you know you are not. There are many people who have to go through similar things.
I love you.
- Paul