Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews

• xxmor...
• August 6, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) "I read these reviews over and over again to calm myself with what I was going through. Although thinking back it might of been obsessive. I have been taking this since December of 2020 when I had a bad mental break down where I was crying for a month straight couldn’t work and was having panic attacks all day everyday! This medication has saved my life! I could not stop thinking these obsessive thoughts everyday all day. That absolutely drove me up the wall crazy. It took about a month or two to finally start getting back to myself again. I am able to work again and able to take care of my family! I have happy moments now. Instead of always being in an obsessive thought and trying to get rid of it I can now accept the thought as a thought or yeah maybe that could happen and go about my day. Please don’t give up on this medication. The side effects do subside and you’ll feel like yourself again I promise!"

• A-Swede
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2024

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been suffering from OCD/intrusive thoughts and severe anxiety attacks since I was 7, but always managed. But at 41 with three kids (almost no sleep), house, work, etc., it just snapped. Total panic. Zoloft 50mg for 8 days, then straight to 100mg. (Male, 6'5'' and 230 lbs). My world was spinning. Suffered every single side effect. The thought of my kids and my wife kept me going. 4 weeks of pure hell. THEN gradually things improved. Now, on week 6, I'm helping out at home and being a father again. I lack words to describe the relief. HOLD ON. I used sleeping pills and even benzos for 4 days. Cried A LOT. But it was a spiritual journey. Closer than ever with my wife. Work out if possible, no coffee or sugar, meditate. And DON'T fear the panic, listen to your mind. Rest. Accept your current state. IT WILL PASS. Hope this helps someone. Warm, humble, loving hug from Sweden."

• May...
• October 10, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "I’ve dealt with anxiety since I was 22 (now 28). At the start of this year my anxiety got bad. At my lowest I decided to make an appointment to see a doctor. I was sobbing after I got off the phone to book the appointment because I felt my anxiety had defeated me. Little did I know that I was finally choosing to take control. I was prescribed 50mg of Zoloft 4/1/19 and have stayed there. The beginning was rough. I felt jittery, nauseous, and “weird”. It took a month before I started to notice a difference. My generalized anxiety started to fade and it felt amazing! Intrusive thoughts began to settle down too! I was sleeping better, handling stress better, I could socialize better, overall I had a lot more confidence. I take my pill at the same time everyday. I can’t believe how much better I feel today, it can bring me tears. I needed to feel better to see how bad I was. Please don’t be afraid to try it. Give it time! Don’t judge it after 2 or even 3 weeks. Be patient and allow it to work."

• basic
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 10, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "I left a review 7 years ago and am just coming back to offer encouragement. I started taking Zoloft about 10 years ago for obsessive, debilitating negative thoughts that made me (among other things) unfairly suspicious of my partner, paranoid to let my child out of my sight, and highly restrictive of my own eating habits. The relief that Zoloft brought me was surreal. I have now been taking 100 mg per day for over a decade and have experienced absolutely no negative side effects. My mind is quiet, calm, and although I still experience some anxiety, it does not CONSUME me the way it did for years. I would highly recommend giving it a try if you are struggling - it has truly been life changing."

• Muchb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have now been on Zoloft for a solid 12 months (50mg). It has changed my life. I was prescribed it for depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - it has almost completely resolved issues I have had for most of my life. I hesitated in taking it due to side-effects mostly because I have always been obsessed with my weight. I'm happy to report that if anything, I have dropped weight in the last year. I no longer am tempted to binge eat and just lead a healthy and active lifestyle because I am happier. I really wanted someone to read this who was in my position - who was too scared to try it because of side-effects. My only side effects are dry eyes, I need to sleep 8 hours a night (instead of 5-6) and that's the worst of it!"

• you...
• July 22, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have OCD, and honestly, this medication has given me my life back. This was the second med I took; lexapro was horrible for me. I have been taking Zoloft for 3.5 months. I was also seeing an OCD therapist through NOCD. You will definitely see better, faster results if you use this medication in conjunction with therapy. I first did have some negative side effects: GI upset, increased moodiness, fatigue, etc. this lasted for 8 days, and with dosage increases I also felt wonky for a few days. I also LOST weight, which was an added bonus. :)Please know this med is not a magic pill, it does take time to work which can be terribly frustrating at first. But WOW, I cannot tell you what I different place I am in. I just feel like myself again. I do still have intrusive thoughts, but I am ruminating much less and I no longer give these thoughts attention. My anxiety is significantly less and I am just so much happier. God bless everyone, I know OCD can be tormenting but you have GOT THIS!!!"

• Things...
• January 3, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) "I had a random thought one day that has felt like it destroyed my life. I had the worst thoughts imaginable and it had gotten so bad to where I had to take a leave of absence at work and could not stop crying. I had thought about committing myself because I felt like I was losing my mind. I started working with an OCD therapist that confirmed I had Pure O. It helped me by doing ERP and ACT that I was able to go back to work and manage to live life. I was still struggling everyday and meditation was my only way to calm myself. I'm on Zoloft 25mg now. I have had no side effects. I noticed being able to see my thoughts clearly and distinguish what’s real and what’s in my head now. I am enjoying life and feeling more happy in every aspect. I still get thoughts but they don’t bother me since I don’t feel the need to ruminate or find out what’s “true” anymore. I plan to stay on this low dose as just enough to help me while I continue to do the work."

• Emiwis
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) "I was just recently diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder a few months ago. I developed a strange form of OCD in which I engage in mental compulsions and have to repeat the same words in my head to relieve anxiety. A little after a week and I’m already noticing SUCH an improvement of symptoms. I don’t feel so overly aware of everything and the best part is that I can focus at school!! I was studying for an exam yesterday and I could digest every word without my thoughts screaming at me or distracting me. It really feels as if a switch went off in my brain. My thoughts are so much more positive. This medicine has given me my life back."

• Joey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2015

"I thought I was too far gone. I have Pure O - every second of every single day was torture. I didn't want to live any more, I couldn't with the obsessive thoughts that were so antithetical to who I was. Constantly I would tell myself who I was but the OCD would always trick me out of my logic; but OCD has your whole imagination at its disposal. I got a lot worse before I got better on Sertraline: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND STICK IT OUT. One day you'll feel like you've been punched and woken up from a bad dream. If I can do it when I was on the verge of suicide, you can too. I believe in you."

• Char
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "Been going up slowly on Zoloft to help my OCD. I started on 12.5 mg for 2 weeks, 25 mg for 3 weeks, 37.5 mg for 2 weeks then 50 mg for 3 weeks now 62.5mg. Overall I’m feeling better. Intrusive thoughts related to harm OCD have gone. General anxiety still there but not constant. When I started this medication for OCD and panic attacks I was literally having panic attacks every hour due to the OCD. My anxiety was a 10 now, most days it’s 0-2 every day I do have some sort of anxious feeling but for the most part it’s a fleeting feeling. BEST THING ABOUT THIS MEDICATION... I LOST 20 LBs and continue to not want to eat junk food. I also started working out. Good luck! I wish you the best and hope to continue getting better with time."

• Kelly
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 10, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been taking 100mg Zoloft daily for almost 8 years and I find it really helps with OCD, especially the dulling of intrusive thoughts that would normally cause me a lot of distress, anxiety and were quite frankly, ruining my life. I am now at a stage where I am wondering whether I should attempt to wean myself off this drug, but am increasingly anxious about coming off the drug, as it has been so successful. I've had a few side effects, such as a reduced attention span and weight gain, but all in all, the drug has helped me live a normal life, with only two relapses in the eight years I've been on them. Both times I've relapsed, I have received help from a counsellor or CBT, but have stayed on the drug throughout, maintaining a steady dosage."

• Krist...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "Suffering with existencial OCD alongside with DP/DR episodes. I went to the psychiatrist and was prescribed Zoloft, 1st week 25mg, 2nd week 50mg, 3rd week 100mg until the end of month 1. The first 3 weeks were so awful, especially when I started with the 100mg tablets, I even had suicidal thoughts to the point where I couldn't even relate to anything. 4 days after the 100mg dose adjustments and everything is fine, more like a magic pill. This drug is awesome, but beware that you will feel way worse before you start to feel better! And every dose adjustment seems to reset the process."

• Rina
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "I was suffering from depression my entire life, and I didn't even know it. I'm 32 years old and started taking Zoloft 3 weeks ago. At first I suffered from many side effects; insomnia, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, tired feeling, and even nervousness, was the worst 10 days of my life. After enduring those 10 days, I was able to look at life differently, I'm able to accept flaws in anything, pardon excuses, laugh with my family and friends comfortably, I can see why people thought I was high maintenance.. I was horrible to my family with unrealistic standards."

• MuchH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started Zoloft because I was struggling with obsessive, repetitive thoughts about bad things happening to my children which made me anxious all the time. The first 3 weeks were hell. Even the Klonopin the doctor gave me to get through it didn't help. It felt like my anxiety levels tripled. I could barely function. Between weeks 4-5 I transitioned to just feeling as anxious as I had been before. Then it felt like a balloon was inflating inside my head (in a good way), and the anxious thoughts were bouncing off the balloon instead of being allowed to collect and swirl around torturing me. Then I started having moments of feeling GOOD. And those moments grew into my new reality. My anxiety is 90% better. Zoloft gave me a new life."

• Severe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have suffered with severe health anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder related to this anxiety for about 6 years. I would spend countless hours a day googling symptoms and doing certain health related rituals, and it was taking over my life. I finally talked to my doctor at the urging of my family and ended up on 50 mg of Zoloft. I didn't want to take it because part of my health anxiety is a fear of any type of medication. After about 3 weeks of it sitting untouched in my cabinet I started to take it. I didn't feel strange - no side effects. Maybe a little more sleepy at night? After about 3 weeks on Zoloft I noticed that I didn't have the urge to Google health symptoms anymore and I would *forget* to do some of my daily rituals."

• JimMb...
• August 18, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I went years without getting help until about 8 months ago when I finally broke down, saw a doctor, and was prescribed Zoloft. This pill has given me my life back. I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, specifically intrusive/disturbing thoughts and obsessions. This disorder occupied all of my time and energy, to the point where life was unbearable and hopeless. About two weeks after starting Zoloft there were noticeable improvements. After 6 weeks, I was a different person. Anxiety-0, OCD, still there but more of a minor in convenience than life consuming. Side effects were typical at first: nausea, diarrhea, lightheaded, and insomnia. All of which subsided after a few weeks. I highly recommend that if you diagnosed, ask for Zoloft."

• Zovy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2016

Zoloft (sertraline) "It took a while, but Zoloft has been a total lifesaver for me. I had severe OCD/anxiety and later on depression as well. Anyone who's ever had crippling anxiety knows what mental torture it is. I was so afraid to try Zoloft but finally gave in when I felt like I had nothing to lose. I was on 50mg and the first few days I only felt a little dizzy but nothing else. On day 11, I first noticed some kind of shift. I remember looking at a tree and for the first time in years feeling joy, like I felt as a kid, and just enjoying its beauty vs fearing getting killed by a falling branch. About 6 weeks in I felt less tense overall but still felt it could be better. Started 100mg and my anxiety is gone. I feel normal again! Please give this a try!"

• Marta
• October 30, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft has changed my life. I used to feel like I wanted to stop living. I had anxiety with racing thoughts, feeling short of breath, social anxiety, and obsessive bad thoughts. I no longer feel suicidal and my irritability has gotten 100% better. I still get short of breath sometimes and worry about things but overall just feel so much more even keeled. I waited a month before taking it after getting the prescription because I didn't want to take meds and felt like it was a cop out. I'm so happy I decided to give it a try. I haven't gained weight and don't feel like my emotions are dulled. I feel happier and more hopeful. Strongly recommend."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2022

Zoloft (sertraline) "For those suffering from OCD, bad thoughts, overthinking, depression, terrible headaches, give ZOLOFT a chance. First month don't expect much. I am on 100 mg. This medicine helped me so much. Get rid of your rituals and ruminating. Find peace with the help of zoloft. You can't make it alone. It is so hard. I had no hard side effects. Just some night urination and less sex drive. But mind peace is so important. I was ready to collapse !! Zoloft helps your neurotransmitters. It is not our fault. Just brain "malfunctioning"."

• Alnumb
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2020

"3rd time on Sertraline, for Anxiety & "Pure" OCD issues. I checked this website often for reassurance so it is fair I contributed. This time I had the worst reaction. Started off 50mg - the first 2 weeks were a nightmare. Awful, deep anxiety/panic took over my mind. Extremely low moods, restlessness, feeling hopeless, and not being able to distract from my negative thoughts were the worst mental side effects. After 2 weeks the worst of the mental side effects had subsided. The following 4 weeks were low, but at 6 weeks I saw an improvement. Increased to 100mg at week 7 and fell slightly back again for a while. At around 12 weeks I started feeling the full effects. Approaching the end of week 16 now and I cannot believe how much more normal I feel! Anxiety has completely gone. OCD thinking is still there but residual. Persevere and know that medication takes time to work. Regardless of what your MH problem is, NEVER give up - help and hope is there!"

• Ash
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2023

"I have just started on sertraline. After years of debilitating thoughts, not being able to concentrate, and bad health anxiety, I honestly just felt like I couldn't go on anymore. I was waking my partner up in the middle of the night, crying that something was wrong with me and it just wasn't fair. I couldn't enjoy time with my children as I was counting down the hours until I would go to bed, as when I'm sleeping, my obsessive thoughts get a chance to reset. I felt bad for my family who would have to listen to my complaints and doctors who would do blood tests after blood tests to prove to me that my bloods are okay. I just felt I wasn't enjoying life the way I should be. I'm now 8 tablets in. My shoulders are beginning to relax (they are usually rock hard) and I am able to sit in work without googling symptoms. I'm hoping to be better for myself and everyone around me."

• Sian-12
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2023

"If you are experiencing horrible side affects at the beginning of taking sertraline, PLEASE keep going, please fight through it! It will get better! You do have to help yourself too though! I forced myself to eat even when I lost my appetite, I had lots of fruit and veg, cut caffeine out, ate lots of fish and made myself exercise daily. The first two week were horrific I was worried I wouldn’t survive it. I’m now on week 8 and so glad I kept fighting. Please stay strong and please keep going! Don’t let the bad reviews put you off."

• Ocd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 8, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "Dear OCD sufferers. I am 10 months on Zoloft. I guess I'll stay for life on this medicine. I don't want to go through the same situation again. 10 months ago I wasn't even able to sleep. I still remember the terror I lived during that period. My God, it is so sad to remember how I was. My OCD is still around but I live a better life. I work more, I am better. My terrible headaches left me. I am only on 50 mg now. Thoughts are thoughts created by us. We are like a machine producing them. Hope you will get better like I did and hope things will get even better for me too. Thank you for reading this. OCD is like a curse, but as you will experience your worst thoughts, you'll get to know what is tormenting you, you will get to know yourself better. You will get used to it! I am closer to a 'normal person' now, thanks to this medicine and my doctor. Remember: it needs time and the right dosage to see if the medicine will help you."

• Ashley
• November 24, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "I am a little over 2 weeks in. I was diagnosed with panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder 2 months ago. I tried everything to avoid taking medicines. Did therapy, yoga, changed my diet, etc. I started to feel better but it was still a constant effort to lift my moods and stop my obsessive thinking. I was beyond nervous taking medicines but finally decided to after my sister convinced me (she's been on sertraline) for 2 years. I am loving it now and so happy I am giving it a shot. The adjustment was tough for me but so happy I preservered. I realized you don't get extra points in this world for suffering."

• Katie...
• August 17, 2019

"I have lived with OCD pretty much my whole life. First signs at 7, figuring out it was 'OCD' in my thirties and being officially diagnosed a few years ago at 40. It felt like a shameful secret I could not share. By my 30s I was mostly using CBT, meditation, occasional therapy and talking to family to help get through. Over the years my ritual OCD had developed into Pure OCD, which I learned to understand more through therapy. But I had never taken medication until I got to a low point a year ago and was prescribed sertraline 50mg. 3-4 week transition. Minimal longterm side effects. Life changing. The OCD edge has been taken away. The duration and depth of anxiety episodes has been reduced. My confidence and enjoyment of so many simple things, like a holiday and family occasions, has enriched my life so much. Being in the moment instead caught inside my head. OCD can be so unkind. I hope you find what works for you and I wish you well."