Seroquel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jay...
• February 28, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am writing both as a user and a person seeking additional information on Seroquel XR. I have been on it for about three months. I have found that it eliminated the manic phase of my diagnosis, as well as anxiety. However, tapering back and forth due to side effects has made it difficult to make consistent observations, and I have suffered depression and even suicidality as a result. What have others experienced on this topic? I understand bipolar disorder is a multifaceted illness and therefore should be treated from both angles. Are most of you on more than one medication in conjunction with Seroquel? I understand I have also had a difficult time taking it as prescribed, and this may have hindered my results. Thank you."

• HCC...
• February 20, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I've taken these pills since I was 19, and I'm 24 now. First, I had to take 600 mg, and I managed to lower them to 450 mg. I wish I could leave them, but I have learned I need them. So far, they have helped me a lot. I do wish I could fight anxiety, weird feelings in my legs while I sleep, and the hunger I experience 24/7. But it's a love/hate relationship between this medicine and me. I hate it, but I don't think I can ever quit it. Sad for me, good for the pharmacies."

• Pea...
• July 24, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Seroquel after I got out of one of those psychiatric hospitals and after a terrible bout with Abilify (extremely jittery and restless). Unfortunately, Seroquel affected me in just the opposite way. I consistently went up in dose, peaking at 600 mg for 2 days, then dropping back down to 300 mg. I was on it for almost a month, but I was living in my own little world. I was very muted. It may have stopped the manic episodes, but the depression became worse, almost landing me back in a hospital after I went 'cold turkey.' The good thing, though, was that I slept so peacefully every night. No racing thoughts."

• Bun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 19, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I started Seroquel when I was 13 after 7 years of talking to people who weren't there. I'm 18 now. I heard it's not possible to need this at that age, but here I am. I think at first I was kinda empty, didn't talk, kinda a vegetable. Took about a while to get used to, maybe a week. Then I remember completely losing it and attacking my brother and also feeling suicidal, but I didn't stop taking it when I was put in inpatient. Then everything got better. Now I still hear and see things, but only specific things, and I talk to people more even though I have social anxiety. So it didn't really work for my hallucinations, just maybe depression and anxiety."

• ano...
• April 17, 2011

For Insomnia "I am in treatment for Lyme disease, and the antibiotics, as well as the infections, cause insomnia, depression, anxiety, and racing thoughts. I used herbs to quiet my mind so I could sleep, and they were successful for a couple of years, but finally, I needed something stronger. I take just half of a 25 mg pill an hour before I want to fall asleep. It works very well, but I do feel groggy in the morning. At first, I even had trouble talking, as my speech was slurred."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2012

For Insomnia "I was hospitalized and couldn't sleep due to intense anxiety in the hospital. I was given 50 mg Seroquel. I felt the effects within 20 minutes, but then they kept getting stronger for well over an hour until my perceptions of time and space were very distorted. I couldn't even sit in a chair without feeling I was going to fall out of it. Next, I started getting paranoid until 16 hours later I took Klonopin, and everything went back to normal. If I was at home or work and took Seroquel for the first time, it would have been a disaster. I did sleep for a few hours while I was on it, though."

• Jul...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been bipolar for over 30 years, well, when I was diagnosed. Seroquel has balanced my moods. I still get anxious but not so bad. Now I have Pristiq during the daytime. My day determines my nighttime Seroquel. Good days 100 mg, not so good 150 mg. It works for me for now!"

• ang...
• March 26, 2011

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been using Seroquel for about 18 months together with Pristiq. At first, I took 25 mg at night, then I added to that 100 mg Seroquel XR. I seemed far more relaxed and able to cope with life a little better. However, over the last 2 months, the agitation became unbearable, and my depression increased immensely. I have dropped 50 mg of the XR over the past few days, and I am already feeling less anxious and agitated."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel again for about a month. Last go with this drug was about 1 year prior, so I thought I knew how it affected me. This time was much different. I’m terrified to take it every single night because I think (I know this is irrational) I won’t wake up. I have a “mini” panic attack when I take it, and around the time I’ve talked myself out of that one, I become sleepy… that starts my “real” panic attack, and I feel I need to fight it. I didn't used to dream much, but I have been having vivid BAD dreams; 1/2 the nights. My anxiety and anger are at an all-time high. I used to be a cutter, and now still unable to deal with daily life, it would seem I have converted to biting my forearm. Also, waking up the next day and going to work-people thought I was on drugs because I couldn’t process anything for the first hour, along with weird shaky vision. At first, this drug did wonders for me but has since taken a nasty turn. Risk > benefit ratio for me."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2011

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It helped with my OCD intrusive thoughts, but made me very agitated and a feeling of skin crawling. Even at 1/4 of a tablet, I was really anxious."