Seroquel and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Muf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This is horrible, with extremely serious side effects. I got anxiety, shaking, face twitching, and stuttering like never before. I won’t ever take it again — you cannot pay me enough to get back on it!"

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on this med years ago and taken off. I asked him why I stopped taking it because of weight gain, I don't feel that was the only reason. I have had problems with anxiety and depression for a long time, but it got extremely worse. The anxiety was so bad that I couldn't eat, gave me worse flashbacks from my PTSD, which was caused by trauma throughout my life (domestic abuse and rape). I got headaches, eye pain, palpitations, my hypothyroidism was all off, stomach pain, worse depression to the point I lost weight, which I am already thin. I could go on, but the Dr didn't take into consideration that I suffer from epilepsy, got vertigo, seizures increased. I ended up yesterday in a crisis center because I couldn't stop crying and had racing thoughts, which I forgot to mention. And the flashbacks of my life were one after another. Just was not a good choice of medication for me, especially with physical issues."

• Liz...
• April 8, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I complained to a friend of insomnia, mainly stress-related. She offered a Seroquel on the promise that it would relax me and put me in la-la land. I will never again take medicine that is not prescribed for me! For the first time ever... I heard voices starting at 2 a.m. I heard two men arguing on the other side of my closed bedroom door, loud enough to wake me, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I was too afraid to look because I knew no one was there. Then around 4:30 a.m., I heard a baby crying nonstop, this lasted until 7:00 a.m. I sat up for hours listening to what it feels like to be going insane! Never again!"

• OnT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Where do I even start? Been fighting my crazy mood and bipolar disorder since I was an adolescent. Was prescribed this years back, and slowly I saw my life start to tangle up. Mood problems got worse, could not feel much remorse or feelings, just dampened emotions that got harder to control. I strongly believe this medicine harmed my mental health during one of the times the brain develops significantly. Been off for exactly a year and still recovering. Finally, I can sleep through the night after about 10 months, but still dealing and slowly on the way back from a miserable journey of anxiety, insomnia, and instability. Mood should arguably be stabilized, not muted and worsened by this medication. Be safe."

• Kim...
• August 8, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine worked at first, but after taking it for a few (2) weeks, I developed anxiety and panic attacks. I've had panic attacks in the past but not like these. I wasn't afraid of anything specific; it was like a constant fear. Also, my heart would race so bad. I am being weaned off this and switching to Zyprexa."

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2012

For Depression "Seroquel was awful. My doctor prescribed two 700 mg at night, and I slept so much! When I wasn't sleeping, I was exercising, still, I gained 30 lbs. I had extreme paranoia, never knew where I was or how I got there, and always woke up in sleep paralysis. It made my depression, anxiety, and bipolar worse."

• 28y...
• January 5, 2010

For Depression "I have been taking Seroquel 100 mg 3 times daily for several months now, and it has not helped me in the least bit. This drug has many negative side effects, since being on it, I have been feeling extra anxiety, impatient, sore and stiff muscles, especially in the neck, back, fingers, hands, and calves. I have also been having a lot of gas, nightmares are horrible, I feel really irritable, and I often have headaches and jaw pain. The list goes on, and if you are feeling this way, trust me, you are not alone."

• In ...
• July 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Female, 22 years old. I was given Seroquel for what was thought to be psychotic depression. I was given 50 mg to take at night. The first night I took the med, it absolutely knocked me out, but before I actually fell asleep, I felt super anxious and had shock-like sensations through my body. It made me actually want to fight the medication because I did not like the way it made me feel. So the next night I went down to 25 mg, side effects weren’t as bad, but I still felt very anxious. Then, the next morning when I woke up, I noticed I felt super angry. My first thought as soon as I opened my eyes was that I just felt so angry, and I’m not usually an angry person. I also drooled on myself so badly that my shirt was soaked the next morning. I didn’t feel well rested, I tossed and turned and remembered doing things in the middle of the night that I knew weren’t dreams (all of these happened both nights I took the Seroquel regardless of reducing the dose)."

• dyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Seroquel did not work for me (this is NOT to say it may work for you, because everyone's biochemistry is different). It caused me to sleep 16 hours a day or more on an extremely low dose (75 mg), and over 2 weeks caused me to auditory hallucinate and creepy or hellish nightmares (worse than my normal ones). Over time, it actually caused anxiety instead of reducing it. Hope you have a better time with Seroquel than me!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Bst...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 10, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on this a second time around and helped a lot. It stopped working, so it seems. I have been having increased anxiety a few hours after taking it for bed, which leads into panic attacks for the past month. I have terrible insomnia and was going through a manic episode over the summer of 2021 and tried Depakote prior, which did nothing, and even tried Latuda, which gave me twitches. The Seroquel knocked me out and made me sleep so well, along with clonazepam. I even got it upped to 100 from 50 mg but noticed nothing and even stayed up all night most nights on 100 mg. I’m so sad this seems to not work for me anymore, so I’ll give it a 5/10 because it works but then it stopped. I didn’t gain weight, sex was fine, just did its job with controlling manic episodes and panic attacks and insomnia for me. Wish one pill did wonders for me."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• zai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2014

For Schizophrenia "I've been on Seroquel since being diagnosed (now 18 months). Started taking 50 mg but now I'm on 100 mg. I've got to the point on this medication that the side effects are too much. Constantly tired. Feel very vague. My memory is terrible. I'm starting to forget about things I've already done. Still very paranoid. Also, I'm still having panic attacks. So for me, it's time to move on and try something new (Olanzapine)."

• 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."

• Jak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been on many meds that were inappropriately used for my anxiety and instability, including high-dose Depakote and tricyclic antidepressants, making me more unstable with unbearable antipsychotic overloads. Eventually, a sedative dose of Seroquel around 125-150 mg worked very well for calming down anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and allowing me to sleep. It is ridiculous that some of the doctors who aggressively medicate aren't cautious because the right dose of helpful medication can be life-saving, while a bad approach can cause instability that caused serious problems in my life. Then, unfortunately, psychiatrists often blame your condition over their inappropriate treatment, so it's important to be aware of what's going on with you."

• MAR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Seroquel 100 mg for about a month. My psychiatrist said I had some of bipolar 2 and signs of depression. I couldn't get out of bed, and I had suicidal thoughts. I began on 50 mg the first two days, then bumped up my dosage to 100 mg. The first couple of days were pretty scary. The side effects kicked in a bit. I had an anxiety attack while driving and had to get out of my car (has never happened before). One night I woke up in the middle of the night, couldn't breathe, felt like I was about to vomit and pass out. About a week later, I began to feel better. Normal! Except for struggling to wake up in the morning. I am on my last week of the month, and I'm starting to feel depressed again. I jump in my sleep and get startled quickly. I have vivid dreams, and sometimes I don't know if it happened in real life or not. Don't know why... not sure if I need to change medication or dosage?"

• 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
• November 18, 2010

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This medication is adequate compared to others in its class, despite still causing significant side effects such as weight gain (which is very undesirable). At first, this medicine seemed very strong and made me 'zombie-like' (e.g., slow, unemotional, sleepy), but after a couple of days, these were significantly improved. I was on a dose of up to 75 mg, and as far as the effects of each individual dose; 25 mg helped with sleep and 'anger management,' 50 mg increased my hunger (a lot), and 75 mg helped a little more with anxiety and emotional stability."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2009

For Insomnia "I am 49-year-old female with a lifetime of insomnia. I had been taking Ambien for sleep for over a decade for my insomnia but had been waking up during the night, cooking, cleaning, drawing, etc., so my doctor suggested I try 50 mg of Seroquel instead. I've been taking it for two weeks now, and I am sleeping and waking alert (YES!) and not semi-foggy...you all know that feeling, right? An added benefit is I am less anxious throughout the day."

• sag...
• April 5, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar one about a year ago and originally took Abilify until I realized it gave me severe anxiety. My doctor changed me to Seroquel, which I take before bed. It did take a while to adjust to how sedating it was, but it relieved me of my insomnia. However, I have been gaining weight steadily since beginning Seroquel, with an insatiable urge to eat about an hour after I take my medication. No matter what I do to lose weight - 15 pounds gained since Seroquel - I cannot lose the weight. I love the fact that it seems to work well with my body and cures my insomnia, but there's got to be something better for me that doesn't cause me to gain so much weight."