Submit Your Questions for Dr Anders Sørensen
An expert in psychiatric drug withdrawal and tapering joins Beyond Gender
On the 25th February, we’ll be interviewing Dr Anders Sørensen. Anders is a Danish clinical psychologist specializing in psychiatric drug withdrawal and tapering, and the author of Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off — and Staying off — Psychiatric Drugs.
Anders is one of a growing number of mental health professionals working to debunk common misconceptions about the causes of mental health problems. His work challenges both the debunked ‘chemical imbalance’ theory of mental illness, and the assumption that psychiatric drugs are the most effective way to manage distressing feelings.
He has devoted his career to raising awareness of the devastating withdrawal symptoms that can be caused by commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs like antidepressants. Although studies find that almost 60% of patients will experience withdrawal symptoms on discontinuing antidepressants, patients are not typically informed about the risk of antidepressant withdrawal effects at the point of prescription. Taken in combination with the poor efficacy shown by drugs like antidepressants, this points to a failure of informed consent much like that seen in gender medicine.
Anders’ work focuses on helping patients to taper their drugs safely, in a way that minimises withdrawal symptoms. His book explores attention training techniques that can help people to tolerate both the distressing feelings caused by withdrawal and the emotional distress that may have lead someone to seek out psychiatric drugs in the first place. Drop your questions for Anders in the comments below!
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Detransition Awareness Day 2026: Life Beyond Transition
Thursday, March 12, 2026 | Washington, DC
The largest gathering of detransitioners ever held. Tickets and livestream available at: genspect.org/detrans-awareness-day-2026.
What should we ask Dr Anders Sørensen? Leave your questions in the comments.
I would like Dr. Sørensen’s opinion on the effects of SSRIs on libido and sexual functioning, which are rarely (or ever?) discussed when these medications are prescribed to children and adolescents in distress. What is the likelihood of long-term or permanent sexual dysfunction after years of use, and are there ways to prevent it?
There are a few questions that come to mind. First, is the doctor speaking about newer classes of antidepressants, ie: SSRI's? As a retired physician, I found the tricyclic antidepressants had much fewer psychiatric side effects and were more effective when compared with the SSRI's. Second, are there any specific psychological therapies that are particularly effective in the treatment of depression/anxiety in a timely fashion? Lastly, can Dr. Sorensen speak about the increase of more violent behavior seen in individuals receiving SSRI's?