Mirtazapine and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2021

For Anxiety "I’m taking 30mg of mirtazapine with 150mg venlafaxine. (Started 11 Jan) Sleep is better, but it has completely set my nerves on edge. Like you jump out of your skin when anyone comes behind you, or the phone rings. Has anyone else experienced this?"

• Sue...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2025

For Anxiety "This drug worked extremely well for me. I am hypersensitive to meds, which had prevented me from trying anything earlier. I also prefer to try natural medicines. My husband was diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma and ended up in the ICU, where he was on death’s doorstep. After this, I ended up with severe anxiety and panic attacks. No natural medicine was helping, and I needed desperate help as I was looking after my husband. I requested Mirtazapine from my GP as I had been on it once before many years ago. I only take 1/8th of a 30 mg tablet (3.75 mg). Upon taking it in the evening, I went into a very deep sleep and woke the next morning without anxiety and feeling quite strong and resolute. I have been that way ever since and am now able to function normally and make rational decisions without being too emotional. This medicine has been a godsend to myself and my husband. Hopefully, my message will help somebody else."

• jus...
• April 16, 2015

For Anxiety "Have had depression with anxiety and insomnia 4 times in the last 10 years. Tried Prozac, went nuts, citalopram up to 60mg, did not work, sertraline, fabulous but took 6 weeks plus to get better at a relatively high dose and with horrid side effects. This time mirtazapine as had heard so many good things, I am a health care professional. Day 3 like a light bulb moment. Better. Sleeping like a baby, anxiety gone and mood back to normal. Amazing."

• RC1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 20, 2013

Mirtazapine for Depression "I had been taking Remeron for about 6 months. I am 23 years of age and have had sleep problems my whole life. For 6 months, my life was great. Everything seemed just perfect. 2 months ago, I decided to stop taking it cold turkey. BAD idea. Within the last month, the side effects began to kick in. Extreme anxiety, anger, sleeplessness, overall feeling of worthlessness came upon me. It was absolutely terrible! Today, my doctor put me back on the medicine and tonight I'll be taking it again. I am so excited to see what lies ahead. If you take Remeron, PLEASE do not quit taking it cold turkey on your own. Seek a doctor's advice."

• ofr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

For Anxiety "Was prescribed mirtazapine after citalopram failed to lift my depression and anxiety. I must say I was in a deep depression, you know, the place where everything is gloomy and hopeless and you just want to crawl into some cave and die. 15mg for the first couple of weeks nearly made me give up hope on this drug. The lethargy, hopelessness, and anxiety deepened. I am into my third week and I have upped the dose to 30mg as prescribed, and I feel completely different. The anxiety is reducing by the day, I feel hopeful, upbeat and for once in eight months, I wake up in the morning with a spring in my step. The zombie days seem to be disappearing. Mirtazapine is working for me and I hope it works for anyone who has started taking it."

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2025

For Anxiety "I have been happy and laid-back all my life, and a low iron deficiency caused severe anxiety, insomnia, and depression. I tried natural supplements and meditation, etc., but found myself asking the GP for help. I'm only on day 9, so I can't yet comment on serotonin levels, but I haven't had a panic attack, felt anxious, or been depressed since taking them! I too was searching the Internet looking at reviews and only taking on the bad ones, and I can say that after the first dose, I woke up feeling very strange and hated it but pushed through because now I feel more human again, and I can slowly feel my mood getting better, and I'm very early on. Don't be put off by the negative reviews, like I was - if you feel like I did, you've got nothing to lose, and I promise you it will get better."

• Ann...
• November 14, 2019

For Anxiety "I wanted to share my experience with Mirtazapine. About two months ago, I started having severe anxiety. I was terrified. I went to the doctor. She asked me if I had any family members that took antidepressants for anxiety, as I have had horrible side effects from SSRIs in the past and my mom takes Mirtazapine for anxiety. So, we decided to try 15mg at night. The first day, I was pretty tired but nothing too crazy, just felt like I hadn’t slept much. The first week, I had a few mild side effects like increased anxiety, feeling kind of out of it. Then after two weeks, I started to notice the anxiety being lifted. I’ve been on it for almost a month now and feel like myself again. I’ve gained maybe 2 pounds, but it’s well worth it! It does make me tired after about an hour of taking it, but I’m not a zombie. I just have an easier time falling asleep at night, which is a bonus! Highly recommend giving it a try, it could be well worth the wait!"

• Ger...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "I'm on week 4 of mirtazapine 30mg and still feeling anxious. I have some really good days, so I think the tablet has started working, but then the next day I can be anxious all day long, which then disheartens me. I'm wondering whether to stick with it? Any experience would be welcome."

• han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was prescribed mirtazapine when I was in a severe anxiety episode. I felt extremely anxious all the time for several weeks and could hardly function, eat, or sleep. I also have been diagnosed with OCD. It's been a miracle drug for me! I started on 7.5 mg, and literally the first night after taking it, I was able to sleep, after not having been able to sleep without Ambien for weeks, and I woke up with an appetite, which I hadn't had in weeks. Its effectiveness increased for the next week until my anxiety was only about a quarter of what it had been before. I ended up increasing it to 22.5 mg daily, and I've been on that dose for about 1.5 years now and will likely be on it for the rest of my life, or until it stops working for me. It's been a lifesaver for me! Everyone is different, but I just wanted to share my positive review as I know this kind of review can skew negative."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2013

For Anxiety "I was originally put on this to boost my poor appetite-and accidentally changed my life for the better! I sleep through the night, don't have that drugged feeling, I don't get road rage or stress anymore but can still fully feel all human emotions when pressed, including anxiety and anger. Just on a more normal scale."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2014

For Anxiety "I was prescribed venlafaxine, and after 10 days, I experienced terrifying symptoms. I stopped taking it immediately, to the annoyance of the psychiatrist who had given it. He then prescribed mirtazapine, which I took at 15mg for 2 weeks with some success. After 10 days on Mirt, I had three nights of heightened anxiety, although nothing as bad as before taking the mirt. The psychiatrist then suggested upping my mirt to 30mg. I did this for 2 nights and felt dreadful. Last night, I reverted to 15mg, and I intend to stay on it. I think it is worth remembering that taking drugs that 'mess with our heads' is not like taking painkillers. If 15mg is good, it does not mean that 30mg is better."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2019

Mirtazapine for Depression "Terrible! Never again. I gained 13 pounds, and I'm normally a small person. You gain every few months. I felt like I was in a fog the whole time with no personality, and I didn't realize it until I got off. I refused to gain more weight and told them I'm getting off it. They told me to just stop taking it. DON'T! I did since they said to, and my anxiety spiked to a 10, and after a few weeks, I had a nervous breakdown. I also had insomnia for months and slept maybe 2-3 hours a night for the first two weeks until I said put me back on so I can wean myself off safely - the right way. It's been about 5 months off, and I still have insomnia, which could be lifelong. No one told me I would be addicted to this med."

• Try...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 18, 2020

Mirtazapine for Depression "I was feeling very depressed three years ago, and I've always suffered from anxiety. I tried other antidepressants, but the side effects were horrendous, so I started on 15 mg Mirtazapine. They started to work after a few days. I felt calm, and my anxiety reduced hugely, I also slept very well. They will give you very vivid dreams. After a few weeks, I started feeling anxious/agitated during the day, so I popped another pill, and that did the trick after an hour. The doctor upped my dose then to 30 mg, and they worked great at night. However, I felt very anxious in the morning, so the doctor very unusually, apparently, prescribed 15 mg for the morning, that really did the trick. Fast forward three years, I'm still on the 45 mg, and they still help me sleep. My mood, however, is a little on the low side, anxiety is quite bad. In a nutshell, they work less and less the longer you are on them. I'm now thinking of tapering off them and trying some talking therapy, even if I am a little skeptical of the value of doing so."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2023

For Insomnia "After a bout of stress in March of this year, I started getting hypnic jerks, which stopped me from being able to fall off to sleep. This caused anxiety to the point of being hypersensitive to noise, sound, and touch and left me shutting myself in a dark room. This also led to depression to the extent I didn't want to carry on living. I have everything to live for: 2 children, a husband, my own business, and it was so traumatizing I just wanted out. After unsuccessfully trying Phenergan, over-the-counter and herbal sleep remedies, amitriptyline, alcohol, and a concoction of all the above and 10 weeks suffering, I finally accepted the doctor's advice to try mirtazapine. It's honestly been a godsend. It made me sleep instantly, and I feel a lot calmer. It's been a godsend. For anyone trying, I was really nervous after a bad reaction with escitalopram a couple of years ago, but mirtazapine didn't make me worse before getting better. Please don't be afraid to try different ones as one size doesn't fit all."

• dra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2014

For Anxiety "I started on Zoloft, which only made the anxiety worse. Got put on Remeron after a hospital stay, and it has changed my life. Started at 15mg and then shortly after increasing to 30mg. I did gain 30 lbs on it due to craving sweets constantly, so I tried switching to Effexor, only again having my anxiety going out of control. I went back on Remeron 30mg, and I am back to my old self. I sleep very well on this medication, which for me is so much nicer despite the weight gain."

• MJa...
• March 29, 2021

For Anxiety "Anxiety for 30 years and terrified of medication. I was hospitalized in 2020 for anxiety. I did not care if I was alive or not. I had been taking a small dose of Lexapro, the doctor upped the dose, which caused me increased anxiety. At the hospital, I was given BuSpar and Lexapro. I was not getting better on day 6 of my stay, the doctor gave 15 mg of Remeron for sleep, and my appetite was back. I woke up in the morning 100% better, groggy but no anxiety, which was incredible. At home, I started reading comments about mirtazapine and looked at the necessity of taking a full dose as unnecessary. It has been an up/down few months. I tried Celexa, Effexor, Lexapro, and with me taking a very minimal amount of mirtazapine at night, which does help me sleep wonderfully, but my anxiety is awful. I am going to increase my small 1/8 dose of mirtazapine at night in hopes that I can recover that feeling of freedom I had when leaving the hospital. This is the only medication I have ever taken that has made me feel significantly less anxious. Give it a try."

• RHa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2019

Mirtazapine for Depression "I have been on 15 mg Remeron for almost a year, and it has been a blessing. I suffer from chronic PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. My anxiety was probably least affected by the medication, but it could be due to my dose. However, my depression is almost entirely gone, if it does appear, the duration is typically shorter, and it’s overall less intense. I get a great night's sleep almost every night, which is so important for health. My frequency of night terrors has been reduced to one per season. I don’t feel as dissociated, and when I get sleep paralysis (which follows my night terrors), the duration is more like 1-2 minutes versus 30 minutes, which is just about how long it used to last. So far, Remeron is doing more than I could ask for regarding my mental health. Overall, I’ve felt so much better, and my brain doesn’t feel off, hazy, or confused. I would recommend bringing it up to your doctor if you suffer from several mental health disorders like mine because it works well for that combination."

• HER...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

Mirtazapine for Depression "REMERON/MIRTAZAPINE was wonderful the first two weeks, particularly because I felt dismal for 50 years, then mirtazapine came about. But after two weeks of a new life of positivity, things changed to a life of pain, nausea, apathy, crying, worrying, close to zero motivation, even to use the restroom. I can go on and on, basically now I wonder why people live for 100% negativity, literally even when you list all things. I wish I never experienced the good from this drug because now mental torture and horrible chronic pains would best describe my life!!!"

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on mirtazapine for just over a year now, and it has done wonders for my mental health. I have struggled with anxiety and depression since my early teens, and this has worked wonders. I definitely noticed an increase in my appetite, so I have gained a bit of weight, but it's worth the mental stability. I'm on 30 mg a day, I started on 15 mg, but this wasn't a high enough dose. The only thing I'd note is that going off this cold turkey is a terrible idea. I missed a week because of a mistake on my doctor's behalf, and the withdrawals were terrible. I had the sweats, couldn't sleep, barely ate, and my depressed and anxious thoughts came back really strongly. Luckily, after three days of being back on it, I'm starting to feel better. Overall, I'm so happy this medication has worked for me and brought back a quality of life I'd been missing for years."

• Ams...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2019

For Insomnia "Destroyed my life. Got it because of insomnia/burnout. Side effects came on slowly, so I didn’t understand it was the drug and not me. Became very depressed, couldn’t get out of bed, loss of memory, loss of concentration, more and more anxiety, panic attacks, derealization, depersonalization, hallucinations, nightmares, heart palpitations, problems with my teeth, change of personality, loss of empathy, confusion, loss of identity, crying all the time, racing thoughts... Got always told these are symptoms of my depression, which I didn’t have. Was so deeply in this drug trip that I didn’t understand what was happening to me."

• Mir...
• January 27, 2013

For Depression "So far I haven't seen anyone on here that's been on Remeron/Mirtazapine 45mg at night for more than 6 years. I've been on it for 11 years. I was put on this medicine in 2002 after my daughter was born. To save all the details my physical and mental health went out to rest somewhere leaving me in a body and mind that didn't belong to me. They tried me on every medicine available and nothing worked. The negative long term of this has been: weight gain, dizzy sometimes, dehydration and laziness. The positive is it gave me my life back. I, like others here, have found it's notorious for appetite. I could eat sugar right out of the bowl. I have had to make myself be more disciplined in my eating and exercise. I combat dehydration by keeping a cup of water with ice in it filled and drink on it all during the day. I am also moving into menopause so have to be very careful. I've heard some talk about the nightmares. Yep, have them too but only if I eat sugar before bed. Lay off the food 4 hours before you go to bed and it will get rid of those monsters under your bed. I have post-traumatic stress disorder and that causes most of my nightmares. Still, my sleep is awesome. I still have some anxiety from time to time but use Klonopin 0.5 to cut the edge off only when needed. I tried going off about 5 years ago and after about 3 days I couldn't sleep, think, or operate at any type of normalcy. I will have to add I also gained a concentration level I never had before. I went from a school drop-out that couldn't learn to a 3.9 GPA (40-year-old) who loves to read and learn! Compared to all the other stuff out there (and their side effects) I would have to say Remeron has proven to be the very best antidepressant I've ever taken."

• Fre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2019

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been giving Remeron to my wife (79), who has been diagnosed with advanced dementia. She sometimes is completely confused and becomes even hostile towards me, her husband of 50 years. I have experimented with various doses of Remeron and found out that giving her 15 mg doses three times a day is effective and usually keeps her in a reasonable to good mood. In the evening, her anxiety comes back about our cats who are used to going outside. I give her a small alcoholic drink (Irish Cream), which has a very beneficial effect on her. Remeron does not seem to interact negatively with alcohol. One hour before bedtime, I give her 10 mg of Melatonin. She sleeps very well. I have found that 15 mg of Remeron in the morning, 15 to 30 mg at 2 pm, and sometimes another 15 mg in the evening is a very good combination. I know that one should not give more than 45 mg a day, but sometimes an additional dose at night is necessary."

• str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2014

For Anxiety "I've been on Remeron for 3 weeks now, and I feel somewhat better. I could not take other antidepressants because they made me a ton more anxious and out of it, like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I've had a really tough time the last year and a half, and I'm hoping that this works for me. The only problem I'm having is I just can't seem to wake up in the morning, and I'm still feeling very lethargic all day. I'm very sensitive to all medications, so I have to move up very slowly. I just moved up to 18.75 mg, and I'm still really tired, and I have a hard time functioning during the day. My doctor said he is going to slowly move me up to 30mg. I guess I am just wondering if anyone else out there has gone through the same thing I am going through."

• Bir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 20, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been on Mirtazapine 30 mgs for several years for anxiety and to help me sleep. Recently, as I suddenly had severe palpitations, a new doctor prescribed me Sertraline 50 mgs. This was terrible, it made me even more anxious, and I felt really unwell. I am now back on Mirtazapine and beginning to feel well once again. Never again will I switch to another drug. I now have this drug on my repeat prescription list and highly recommend it."

• Lit...
• January 27, 2017

For Anxiety "It started out with an abortion - with respect to whatever your opinion may be on that matter, I had my carefully thought-out reasons. My boyfriend and I were very literally starving due to lack of money and food. The baby was taking in any nutrients I was getting - I wasn't going to survive the pregnancy. It was an extremely difficult decision and I struggled with it heavily. After the abortion, I continued to lose weight - I am 5 ft and weighed 80 lbs. The nausea continued for another 6 months and I was having regular panic attacks due to the anxiety caused by the abortion. I have been on mirtazapine for a month now, and the nausea and overall anxiety are nearly eliminated, and I am back to a healthy weight. This drug saved my quality of life."