
Moral Medicine
I Took Lexapro for 15 Years Without a Problem. Six Days Changed My Life Forever
In this episode of Moral Medicine, Stephen shares his experience developing Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) after briefly re-exposing himself to escitalopram (Lexapro) following approximately 15 years of uneventful use. After successfully tapering off the medication and feeling better than ever for seven months, he restarted Lexapro at a low dose for just six days during a period of temporary anxiety. Within days of stopping the medication, he experienced the sudden onset of profound sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting, cognitive impairment, insomnia, derealization, and numerous other persistent symptoms that have now continued for nearly three years. Today, Stephen lives with PSSD — a devastating and often unrecognized condition marked not only by severe sexual dysfunction, but by emotional numbness, anhedonia, cognitive impairment, neurological symptoms, autonomic dysfunction, and a profound loss of identity. His experience highlights an important and often overlooked reality: PSSD can occur even after many years of previously uneventful SSRI use and may develop following a brief re-exposure to the same medication. In this interview, Stephen discusses the long-term impact PSSD has had on every aspect of his life, including his relationships, sexuality, physical health, emotional well-being, cognition, and future. He also reflects on the absence of informed consent, the challenges of seeking medical care for a poorly recognized condition, and the devastating realization that the symptoms he developed could persist long after discontinuing the medication. This is his story. Hosted by Grant Slowik Moral Medicine is a platform for those harmed by medications — and for those fighting to be heard. Watch, share, and help us break the silence. PSSD can have a catastrophic impact on patients, families, and communities. It often leads to disability, isolation, loss of relationships, and profound psychological suffering. Every person deserves the right to make a fully informed decision about their health. More research into Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction is urgently needed. Learn more and support ongoing scientific initiatives at: https://www.pssdnetwork.org/literature Donate to PSSD Research: https://www.pssdnetwork.org/donate/re... ️ Your story matters. If you are suffering from PFS, PSSD, or PAS — following SSRIs, finasteride, isotretinoin (Accutane), antidepressants, or certain supplements (such as saw palmetto, lion's mane, or ashwagandha) — and would like to share your experience, we want to hear from you. Email: [moralmedicine2023@gmail.com](mailto:moralmedicine2023@gmail.com)

