105-kelli-pssdnetwork-lexapro-no-inner-dialogue

“I also experienced depersonalization and lost connection to myself. I had no inner dialogue or visualization from my thoughts. I could not even read a children's book to my kids. I felt like I had a stroke. I completely lost the ability to feel any pleasure, passion or dopamine response to anything.”

Cause

Lexapro/escitalopram 10 mg prescribed Jan 2021 at 3 weeks postpartum (US, age 40 at writing) for extreme home instability. Immediate emotional blunting from first dose; continued ~3 months despite GI/sexual/insomnia/anxiety; stopped; after short withdrawal then discontinuation syndrome → full PSSD (genital/body numbness, DP, cognitive collapse).

Duration

~3 months on drug; almost 2 years into PSSD since last dose at writing

Recovery notes

Closed 8-year wedding photography/artist business; completely disabled. Hangs on hoping for a cure. No recovery claimed at ~2 years.

Source URL

https://www.pssdnetwork.org/patient-spotlight/kelli