I’ve been taking sertraline for a little over a month now. Once it hit almost a month I noticed my anxiety had increased and depression. Same as intrusive thoughts and suicidal thoughts. It’s been on and off the past couple days. I also struggle with a shortness of breath that has been occurring for almost two months. Lasts all day till I’m asleep. Does anyone on Zoloft have had this and have the meds helped? That is my biggest issue. To be honest the reason I’m on meds. Feel like I’ll never live normal again without being in fear of this coming back. Someone please help me out with these things. I really need to be reassured:/
Sertraline- increased anxiety?
Question posted by Heretohelp888 on 1 April 2020
Last updated on 3 April 2020
Answers
jakyoga65
1 April 2020
I have been on sertraline. My anxiety did increase for a bit. I would definitely discuss with your Dr. Sometimes you need to switch meds. I needed to add Buspar for awhile. That addition lasted several months then I taperd off of that medication. Try some meditation to help calm your breathing and body. Good luck and keep going.
Heretohelp888
1 April 2020
Yeah. I’m not sure what it is. It’s just hard to keep pushing through dealing with something like this. Did you react to the breathing more rationally well on medication? that is the main reason I am on it hoping that it’ll help my breathing be less severe when it comes on
masso
1 April 2020
Before I answer your question I want to share just a little; I am 51 y/o male, suffer from bipolar disorder, anxiety, insomnia, ocd and ptsd.
Things tend to get worse before they do see the end of the tunnel and finally without realizing it, one has crossed the river, it is painful and dark, I´ve been there myself, been in dark for a long time, but this is about you.
I have not been on zoloft, but have read and researched, and many people experience increased anxiety when they reach a timeline or increase a dose of this antidepressant, OCD, keeps these unpleasent intrusive thoughts in and we obsess over them and we must learn that they are only thoughts, regarding suicide ideation, communicate as you have done here also to your Dr., support network, family, friends, and again, your Dr..
I know and understand how you see and feel things now, but believe me circumstances do change. I like to think I am being tested when I find myself in darkness, and one must pull it together and never give in, we are fighters, our lives are of that of a constant fight not struggle because no matter what life throws at us, yes, sometimes we are not strong enough at that precise moment for whatever is thrown at us and we must find strength from within, from our very souls, our emotions to overcome this weakness and get up and keep on going, it is very hard sometimes, but in the end it is worth it.
We are extraordinary human beings, no matter what happens we always stand up and keep on fighting and winning.
Do reach out for more help in other places, contact your Dr., you are intelligent, I have read your posts, keep your mind busy, I know it is harder know with what we are living worldwide but there is always a way if one really wants to get out of the hole and you want that, go out and get it.
Heretohelp888
1 April 2020
Thank you. You seem like a strong believer in that things will end up alright. If you have any tips on how you think I could overcome this more send me a private message. Anything helps. I just wanna go back to normal.
masso
1 April 2020
It is a way of life, knowing oneself from the inside out, not tips.
Heretohelp888
1 April 2020
Yeah, I get that. But there’s gotta be ways to make it more manageable. Like I’ve found some ways to cope. But I haven’t even left my house hardly or rarely my bed. I get you have to have hope and to fight your way there but it’s easier said then done
masso
1 April 2020
I know, we all have been through good and bad experiences, let us say I was reborn 18 years ago and that changed me and of course my life and I am not referring to God in that moment.
It is complex in order to be writing about it back and forward, respectfully, and it is not philosophical at all it is pragmatic and in the end God does play a big role in all of it, but not the God humans write about with all due respect.
masso
1 April 2020
I was trying to lift your spirits, truly.
Attentively, forget about it.
I wish you nothing but the best, masso
Heretohelp888
1 April 2020
I know you were trying to lift my spirits but it’s hard to get someone out of a hole unless they truly want to try. And I’m not saying I don’t it’s just hard. And sure things people say can be inspirational but at the end of the day it’s what they take into consideration
masso
1 April 2020
I get it, and I really would love to help you, but the only way that could TRULY happen in my experience is face to face, we would have to meet, I am in Chile.
In my life I have learnt through other people, one can change if one truly wants to change and have an open mind and an open heart, I am not the kind of person that is not consequent with what I think say and do.
Life is measured not by intentions but by facts, what have I done to help myself, do I sit down and feel sorry for myself, or do I become better, better at solving my problems, yes in our cases medications are needed, but there is more to life than just the medications, they are not enough.
I was taught to know myself from the outside in and the other way around, once one accomplishes this, and so many other taspects of ourselves.
I am repetitive and I say once more, I mean what I say with conviction, and that same very conviction has given me a new life, but I am still bipolar, suffer from anxiety, insomnia, ocd and ptsd, and take medications, but I am in control.
Heretohelp888
2 April 2020
Up until about 2 months ago, I would say for the most part I had everything under control. There was times where it got hard. Whether that be with depression or anxiety. But It was never this bad. I am sorry to hear you struggle with those things, it’s a shame really. You seem to be very smart and don’t let it get the best of you from what I can tell. I do want to try and get better, but I’m gonna be honest I do sit here and feel sorry for myself because there is not much I can do as of right now considering the issue is still here. It has almost completely gone away, but still here. And it can keep coming back (the shortness of breath) as you probably have already noticed my biggest struggle as of right now. It’s been going on for awhile. It’s hard to get over something that is still there.
I know medication isn’t a cure to all your problems but I am hoping it’ll get me back on my feet enough to go to therapy and find different coping strategies. This is a difficult thing to deal with, and hard to manage. More when it first comes on I’d say so the first week is hell and then it mellows more and more to the point it becomes half manageable. It’s almost become completely manageable now. My problem is it getting worse again or coming back as bad as it has. So yes I do sit around and sob for the most part because this is very new to me, and I don’t know how to go on. I am hoping that sertraline will help me. Because at this point I’ve pretty much have felt completely helpless. I’m not saying it’s impossible to get past this but it’s something that’ll knock you down every time and is a sh*t show to bring yourself up. I do thank you for trying to lift my spirits, it just feels almost impossible to get back up from this without constant fear or to have it come right back again. It’s horrible. But today I have been okay for the most part and I am proud to say that but it’s pretty sad when sleep feels like the only escape
Related topics
depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, sertraline, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Sertraline uses and safety info
- Sertraline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Sertraline (detailed)
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