Would you be still willing to reverse/cure PSSD after knowing this?

[Mesolimbo]

Every time I try drugs that induce a window of relief or ameliorate PSSD symptoms, I also experience the anxiety I used to suffer from before PSSD and took antidepressants for.

PSSD induces an inability to feel anxiety in many people, and many also stopped having OCD and panic attacks. PSSD sucks, but the fact remains that it has been a semi-permanent cure for these conditions.

From a neurochemical point of view, if we manage to reverse PSSD, we will also get those conditions back. Those conditions could be severe enough to be life-disabling as well. For instance, my anxiety would greatly interfere with my job.

I used to suffer from severe, treatment resistant anxiety disorder and some OCD. The only thing that worked was high dose Alprazolam, to the point of putting me almost to sleep. It was extremely impractical. Not to mention the cognitive dysfunction associated with it and the inevitable benzo withdrawal that would have to happen every few months. It sucked.

When I experience a window of relief, and experience that anxiety again, I be like "damn.. I'd forgotten how much this is life-disabling..."

My question: If you would re-suffer from the conditions that you took antidepressants for if you cure PSSD, how are you going to deal with them? given that psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) never worked.

[Snake]

Man, just give me my old good depression back, it's nothing compared to PSSD.

[taarn]

Time has passed since I got PSSD and I also experimented with some substances. I had a few windows and a negligible effect on baseline sexual function but emotionally and cognitively I've achieved great improvements. That means my anxiety and OCD are recently crawling back, although not that severe how it was. Getting into the loop again is a real danger for me, again. Having a different outlook on life helps and I've learned to manage it somehow compared to before I took meds for it. The worst thing, the sleep - PTSD is missing, fortunately.

So to answer your question, now knowing that benzo tolerance and withdrawal are not that instant I will use them more. Probably I would get a prescription for agomelatine, maybe combined with bupropion. But that's clear my outlook on life and the problem was toxic and it has to be changed.

[John321]

For people like us the depression was more manageable so I would anyday take that mild depression rather than pssd. Also SSRI made me feel even more anxious so they didn't help in any way. Just gave me pssd.

[logicalscout]

I have experienced this first hand, my window gave me full blown anxiety but also hypersexuality and full emotion, it was difficult but I still prefer it to PSSD.

[Jaxx]

I took my ssri under extreme stress. Although my high sensitive nature will have drawbacks, i will manage it better than pssd.
Few people explored all nom-medication options before they took the ssri.

[barbaar]

Man, just give me my old good depression back, it's nothing compared to PSSD.

Couldn't agree more.

[raven100]

Every time I try drugs that induce a window of relief or ameliorate PSSD symptoms, I also experience the anxiety I used to suffer from before PSSD and took antidepressants for.

PSSD induces an inability to feel anxiety in many people, and many also stopped having OCD and panic attacks. PSSD sucks, but the fact remains that it has been a semi-permanent cure for these conditions.

From a neurochemical point of view, if we manage to reverse PSSD, we will also get those conditions back. Those conditions could be severe enough to be life-disabling as well. For instance, my anxiety would greatly interfere with my job.

I used to suffer from severe, treatment resistant anxiety disorder and some OCD. The only thing that worked was high dose Alprazolam, to the point of putting me almost to sleep. It was extremely impractical. Not to mention the cognitive dysfunction associated with it and the inevitable benzo withdrawal that would have to happen every few months. It sucked.

When I experience a window of relief, and experience that anxiety again, I be like "damn.. I'd forgotten how much this is life-disabling..."

My question: If you would re-suffer from the conditions that you took antidepressants for if you cure PSSD, how are you going to deal with them? given that psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) never worked.

My lifestyle was terrible before PSSD. No structure to my sleep, no exercise, terrible diet, wasn't honest with therapists. I'm not sure I'd have had bad anxiety if I had kept these things in check.

[Knifli]

I don't think i had a clinical depression going on. More the 'post crappy parenting' and 'emo teen' depression. My mental problems were pretty mild, i was still able to function. I would do anything to get my depression back.

[dangerwood]

Great post and something I have thought about a lot myself. Do not just assume your life would be amazing if your PSSD was reversed.

Take it from someone who was 100% cured for a whole week in the beginning stages of my recovery from the shrooms. Sure it was amazing to have my sexual functioning back and a huge relief, but after a while when my body adapted to its new state, my mind became focused on all the other problems I had in my life. There will always be something that you wish you didn’t have to deal with, whether it be PSSD, depression, insecurities etc. The whole point of life is being able to manage these problems as best as you can.

Mesolimbo you have been a real asset to this forum and I am thankful for all the work you have put in to help others. I’m keen to talk to you more about my recovery through PM.