Common side effects of SSRIs (and SNRIs) include sexual dysfunction (which is often permanent), emotional numbness, severe agitation, violent psychosis, cognitive decline and birth defects.

The most concerning SSRI side effect is their tendency to cause grisly suicides and homicidal violence which includes mass shootings.

Psychiatry’s denial of SSRI-related issues often leads to misinterpretation of side effects as signs of pre-existing mental illness, resulting in more medication and catastrophic consequences.

SSRIs, like other stimulant drugs (e.g., cocaine), can create aggressive behaviours and are highly addictive so many SSRI users enter severe withdrawals once they stop them. Unfortunately, few resources exist for patients struggling to quit SSRIs.