Our Response to The New York Times Magazine Investigation on Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)
PSSD Institute Statement – November 2025
The New York Times Magazine has published a landmark investigation into Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD), a condition that can cause long-term or persistent sexual, emotional, and neurological adverse effects after discontinuing antidepressant medications.
For decades, patients have described these effects with extraordinary consistency, yet most have been met with disbelief, silence, or stigma. The publication of this article represents a major step forward: one of the world’s leading newspapers has brought international attention to a medical harm that has been hidden in plain sight.
What is PSSD?
PSSD stands for Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction. It can include loss of genital sensation, pleasure, orgasm, and romantic emotion, and along with emotional blunting, anhedonia, and severe cognitive symptoms that persist after discontinuing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related antidepressants.
These symptoms have been documented in medical literature and acknowledged by regulators including the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the MHRA in the UK but patients continue to face widespread medical denial and a lack of treatment or research.
Our Mission
The PSSD Institute exists to improve the lives of individuals affected by PSSD through education, advocacy, and research.
We aim to promote scientific inquiry, collaborative partnerships, and a constructive dialogue between patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate recognition and solutions.
Why This Matters
The consequences of PSSD reach far beyond sexual function. They affect identity, relationships, family life, and trust in healthcare itself. Many people experience severe psychological distress, sometimes leading to hopelessness or suicidality. Yet despite thousands of reports worldwide, there are still no funded studies to understand its causes or find effective treatments.
Our Call to Action
The PSSD Institute calls on governments, regulators, and the medical community to:
Fund independent international research into the causes and mechanisms of PSSD and related post-drug syndromes.
Acknowledge PSSD in clinical training and public health materials so that all healthcare providers are aware of PSSD and patients receive informed consent before antidepressant treatment.
Create formal reporting and support pathways for those affected.
Ensure transparency in pharmacovigilance, including publication of adverse event data and internal regulatory correspondence.
We also call on journalists, academics, and mental health advocates to continue investigating and amplifying this issue. The people living with PSSD deserve more than sympathy — they deserve action, accountability, and scientific honesty.
To Those Affected
If you are living with PSSD, you are not alone. We hear you. We believe you.
Please reach out to connect with others and receive updates about research and advocacy.
About the PSSD Institute
The PSSD Institute is an international non-profit organization dedicated to research, education, and advocacy around Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction and related post-drug syndromes. Our mission is to secure recognition, accountability, and hope for those affected by long-term antidepressant harms.
For media enquiries, please contact press@pssinstitute.org.