Mirtazapine and Depression: What Users Say

• 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."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2017

For Anxiety "Diagnosed with GAD and depression about 5 months ago. Had loads of CBT and therapy which helped a bit (thank you BUPA) and 7 weeks on Fluoxetine/Prozac which had loads of side effects & didn't seem to help. Saw a psychiatrist who said stop the fluoxetine which is probably the most mood-enhancing AD so good for depression not so much for anxiety and swapped me to 15mg Mirtazapine 4 days ago which he said was far more calming. I slept 8 hours straight the first night, then 9 & 9. Anxiety almost gone & not feeling depressed much. Hopefully this continues, I know it's early days but I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow which is a new feeling for me."

• Rus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2019

For Insomnia "I've been taking mirtazapine for at least 2 years, and it helps me sleep. I cut the 15 mg tablets into 1/8ths and take only that much each night (therefore, less than 2 mg). When I have severe anxiety or am overly worried, I still have an occasional night of not sleeping, but I don't take more meds, I just deal with it and am back to normal the next night or so. Mirtazapine has helped me immensely because when I have insomnia, my depression worsens, and I function poorly."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2013

Mirtazapine for Depression "No effect on mood or anxiety, did help with sleep though. Gained 22 lbs over 3 or 4 months, which really made me depressed! Slowly tapered off on my own, am now losing the weight and just started Celexa. Can already feel a difference in anxiety level, am amazed."

• 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."

• itg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2017

For Depression "I suffered from insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Over the course of 2 years, I have tried citalopram and sertraline. None of these have been as effective as mirtazapine, to the point where friends, family, and colleagues noticed huge positive changes in my personality. I started on 15 mg, which instantly cured my insomnia (WOW!) and a lift in mood (after a week). After 2 weeks, I requested my GP to put me on a standard dosage of 30 mg. I have been on this for 2 months (best effects after week 4) and I FEEL GREAT! I am happy, outgoing, eating and sleeping properly again, and finally feel the old fun, strong me is coming back. There are odd bad days, but now it is easier to SNAP OUT OF IT and get back on track. THANK YOU, MIRTAZAPINE, FOR GIVING ME BACK MY JOIE DE VIVRE!"

• jme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2021

For Depression "I envy so much all you people who have had benefit from this medication. The only thing it helped me with was pretty much instantly I was sleeping again (6-8) hrs per night compared to the 3 hours leading up to taking this medication. Despite constant exercise, within 2 weeks, I'd put on 6 kgs around my midsection. I was told it can take up to a month to work properly. It's now been just over a month that I've been on 30 mg, and I can completely understand why people commit suicide. Constant despair and crying over things that aren't relevant. Zero motivation or energy to do anything. I see nothing but despair and pain in my future. I will take my chances with no medication at all."

• jme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2021

For Depression "I envy so much all you people who have had benefit from this medication. The only thing it helped me with was pretty much instantly I was sleeping again (6-8) hrs per night compared to the 3 hours leading up to taking this medication. Despite constant exercise, within 2 weeks, I'd put on 6 kgs around my midsection. I was told it can take up to a month to work properly. It's now been just over a month that I've been on 30 mg, and I can completely understand why people commit suicide. Constant despair and crying over things that aren't relevant. Zero motivation or energy to do anything. I see nothing but despair and pain in my future. I will take my chances with no medication at all."

• Swe...
• January 17, 2016

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "My experience with Remeron is short. It worked wonders for me, but I stopped it as it causes awful weight gain. 21 pounds in 4 weeks. I looked pregnant. It made me more depressed. I would just eat. It does something to your brain that makes you feel as though you are never full. At night, I would sneak food. I could not stop. I was at 30mg. I've heard 15 mg is worse for weight gain. Also, this drug is also given to elderly patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and also given to people with eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia). As I said, in one respect, it did wonders for me with anxiety and depression and stopped the voices in my head and helped me sleep. But I couldn't go through gaining any more weight."

• Gia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2020

Mirtazapine for Insomnia "Remeron helps with sleep in the short term, 7-10 days, but then will act as an antidepressant long term. It works best for sleep in low doses like 7.5 mg. I’m trying to wean myself off Ativan, and Remeron acts as a very good sleep agent for the short term. I'm still on SSRI Celexa at 30 mg for depression. Here’s an article explaining this."

• med...
• September 7, 2018

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have taken this med for over 2 years. I've been suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and depression my whole life. I found that nothing could help. Every night I tossed and turned, waking up every 2 hours. The first night I took this, like magic, I slept a whole night without waking up. And every night since then it has worked. However, BEWARE, it will make you binge eat. You have NO control over it. Studies say weight gain from this med only affects like 15% of people. Use look at the reviews on here and across the internet–it's more like 90%. I've always been skinny, and I put on 14 pounds within a month of starting it. I quit for a week, which made me extremely depressed and unable to sleep, but I immediately lost all the weight. But I was so depressed, it hurt, so I got back on it. That's why I give this a 7, it's a conundrum, it helps so much with insomnia/depression/anxiety, but it makes you FAT. Don't try this med unless you've tried ALL other SSRIs and sleep meds."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 8, 2022

For Depression "In my experience, this drug was terrible. My depression was extremely bad while I was on it, and my anxiety wasn't good either. I went from being depressed to a zombie. My brain felt dead, and after passing out at night, I felt like I couldn't process my thoughts properly during the day. This was only on 15 mg. I went from being able to tone my body up quickly, as I'd always been fit and healthy and never struggled with weight around my stomach area. I went from a size 6-8 to a size 12 within 6 months! Even when I was exercising the same as I used to and eating well, nothing would work. I stopped pooping completely (still don't), the drug has completely ruined my digestive system. At the age of 27, I now go a week without doing a number 2. I absolutely hate this drug. I came off it by tapering down for 2 weeks and then went cold turkey. I was in the ED with severe panic attacks for nights on end, thinking I was dying from heart attacks and chest pains, the worst anxiety in my life."

• dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2023

For Depression "Infection caused my sertraline (Zoloft) not to work for a while. Was then put on mirtazapine 15 mg. It worked to a point, but that could have also been because the infection cleared and sertraline was working again. This was after 2 weeks. However, week 3 was when the sedating effects occurred. Sleeping 17+ hours a day, staying in bed 23 hours due to being unable to function (zombie-like feeling) and not physically or mentally being able to get out of bed in the morning. This lasted for around 7 days before I spoke to the doctor and was advised to stop straight away. Lucky I have been signed off work for a few weeks, which is not good due to the nature of my job. The other side effects I got from the drug were feelings of no emotion, no sadness, no happiness, could not cry, felt drained, nothing. Insomnia from withdrawing is still occurring 2 weeks after stopping. Would avoid."

• sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2016

For Insomnia "Prescribed mirtazapine 30 mg for insomnia. First night I fell asleep in 20 minutes. 'Slept' all night, not a 'good night's sleep.' Had strange dreams. Woke up but couldn't open my eyes. No energy, hard to get out of bed, slurred speech, couldn't walk straight. Didn't leave the couch all day. At 2 am (2nd night) took 15 mg, asleep in 20 minutes. The dog woke me up at 8:30 am, could barely get up, couldn't walk straight, dropped and broke a dish (never do that), stumbled back to bed, had a very tiring dream. Woke up at 12:30 pm, can't get up, can't open my eyes. It's 4:34 pm, and I'm still on the couch. Feel like a zombie, no energy, feeling mood swings, and more depressed. No way I could drive a car. Will try 7.5 mg tonight. My last attempt with this medicine."

• Pen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2013

For Depression "After only five days on mirtazapine, I thought it was amazing. I was diagnosed with severe depression and was at breaking point. I was reluctant to start taking mirtazapine because of the negative reviews (weight gain, etc.). The first three days were awful due to the heavy sedation effect, but that wore off sooner each day, and by the fifth day, I could function normally. In fact, I felt loads happier and had tons of energy. Over the next six months, I put on a stone in weight and tried to come off it. But I felt dreadful with terrible insomnia, nausea, and depression. I went back on it after a week, having lost half a stone, and have been on it for 18 months. I did not regain the half stone I lost and have controlled my eating better."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2022

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I suffered near 30 years of having nightmares and night terrors. Violent abuse and sexual abuse led to addiction. I came off illicit substances 17 years ago, but from then onwards, I lived with dystonia, severe depression, and FND. I became so used to living this way that it became me. I tried sertraline initially and stayed on it for over 2 years, thinking that was the only option. This caused motor agitation and made my neurological symptoms more intense and painful. Five weeks ago, I asked my doctor if I could take mirtazapine. I started on 15 mg. Immediately, I slept better, I felt calmer most of the day, but my panic and despair would kick in around 3 or 4 pm. I started taking 30 mg. The sedative effects and mild side effects were gone, and gradually the bad feelings were replaced with contentment and hope. I could go out, make phone calls, I wanted to write and draw. I even resolved things with my partner after a 2-month break. I realized he had suffered alongside me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 25, 2019

For Depression "I take this mirtazapine for anxiety, depression, and insomnia. I started at 15 mg but have been on 45 mg for most of the 8 years. It has robbed me of my young adult years and made me diabetic. At first, it helped with sleep and generalized anxiety, but as it became less effective and the dose increased, I became more and more apathetic, unmotivated, lazy, experiencing a loss of personality, loss of feeling of empathy, and affection towards others. It made me okay with sitting around being alone and doing nothing. Now it’s completely pooped out, and all I’m left with are the side effects. Tapering down is also a struggle with severe withdrawals. I highly advise people to stick to medications with more of an evidence base: SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines, TCAs, and MAOIs... none of these atypical antipsychotic garbage. Mirtazapine basically is an atypical antipsychotic but without the dopaminergic receptor antagonism. Stay away from this garbage."

• Exh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

For Anxiety "This has been a great drug for me. For most of my 35 years, I have suffered with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, poor appetite, and more recently, sleep issues. This drug has improved all of them, it's not perfect, but it takes the edge off, and I can live a normal life. I will never come off this drug, as my life would be poor without it."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2020

For Depression "I have been on mirtazapine for nearly 2 years now at 45 mg at night. It has really worked for me, put on weight, which was needed. Mood has been okay, but recently I am feeling emotionally numb and have no get-up-and-go in me. Anyone else feel the same?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2012

For Anxiety "I suffered from anxiety and depression for 3 months with over 20 side effects. I took citalopram and Prozac, but both only worsened my side effects. Finally, my doctor gave me mirtazapine, and almost overnight, I seemed to improve. I had my first full sleep in 3 months and felt like eating again. Slowly, over the course of 1 week, all side effects left me, and within 2 weeks, I was more or less off the medicine. 3 months later, I lead my old life again. If you suffer from sleep issues and have lost your appetite due to anxiety, give this a go. Good luck."

• dyl...
• September 6, 2019

For Insomnia "I use this for sleep and anxiety. I take anywhere between 15 mg to 45 mg depending on the day. 15 mg if it is a daytime dose and 45 mg if it is a nighttime dose, so I do not pass out midday. 15 mg is great to treat anxiety and knocks me out cold within a few hours. It is very strong and is a great sleeping aid. While I am waiting to fall asleep, I am anxiety- and depression-free due to its sedating effects. Ps: Don't let anybody tell you that the drug is more sedating at lower doses. This is a common misconception. Take 15 mg and then take 30/45 mg the next day and tell me which one is stronger, lol."

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2020

For Anxiety "I'm a 19-year-old male, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Prescribed by GP who told me mirtazapine would help me sleep. Yeah, they make you sleepy in the first minutes. But I have terrible vivid dreams and nightmares. I get really angry at nothing, easily annoyed. Had discussions with my partner after the 1st dose. Then I took my 2nd dose yesterday, and today I woke up with suicidal thoughts, I don't wanna die. I woke up and felt so depressed and anxious! This drug is awful. I'm supposed to keep taking these, and today I should take my 3rd dose, but I won't. I don't want to harm myself."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2019

For Depression "Been on mirtazapine for about 8 weeks, started on 15 mg, which helped me sleep but made me super groggy and zonked out in the morning. Despite the grogginess, I started to feel like my old self again, so I decided to up the dose to 30 mg to see if it changed the morning grogginess. I regret doing this because it seems the higher dose has actually set me back. I’m not falling asleep as easily at night, and the depression has worsened. I’ve even had a few days in bed due to a horrible feeling of dread and gloom, so I’m going back down to 15 mg at night again, so hopefully I’ll get back on an even keel. My advice is to take it slowly, try and stay on the low dose if you can, the higher dose just seems to numb me, which worsens the anxiety and depression."