Seroquel and Depression: What Users Say

• Ahi...
• March 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Warning: may trigger suicidal thoughts. History: I was prescribed Seroquel after multiple medications weren’t helping to improve my depression. Quickly, my depression got markedly worse to the point of me not being able to get out of bed and not bathing because it felt too exhausting. I also had my suicidal ideation and thoughts get overwhelmingly worse. My psychiatrist increased my dosage and it just got worse. I had to change psychiatrists (unrelated to this), and my new psychiatrist immediately had me taper down my dosage with the goal of getting off the Seroquel completely. Once I got off of it completely, I felt like a new person - no depression or suicidal thoughts since. I know this medication has helped a lot of people, and I am so happy it has. I don’t think many other people have had this experience, but I wanted to put it out there that it wasn’t good for me, and if anyone is having similar experiences, please speak with the person who prescribed it and know that it can get better."

• 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."

• 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."

• RG3...
• March 22, 2017

For Schizophrenia "The drug made me gain weight and become depressed, which I was never before using the drug. I now have an addiction that I can't beat. I would probably sue them for not warning me about the drug's addictive properties. I think this drug may help some people. However, people have a right to be informed about what they are getting into."

• sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "The only good side was that it helped me sleep well. But I couldn't even get up in the morning, I was so drowsy still and felt hung over badly. Also, I was very lethargic. Like numb, and I felt numb. Like crap. Almost like seriously depressed without a depressed state of mind. Horrible."

• Eng...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I've been taking this drug for a few months. I'm on a very high dose (800 mg). I was finding on lower doses my paranoia was overwhelming, and my depression was getting to the suicidal point. Now I'm on a higher dose, I'm like a zombie, lack of motivation in everything I do. For me personally, I do not think it's the right drug for me, but everyone takes to medications differently."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 21, 2011

For Depression "Made migraines a lot worse and sunk me into worse depression. I guess it works for some people."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Worst medication I have ever been on. If you want to test how a lobotomy feels, try Seroquel. When I first started on a lower dose for sleeping, which was fine. I didn’t find it very helpful but it did help increase my appetite as I was underweight. If you are on 25 mg for anxiety/depression/insomnia, do not let your doctor increase this dosage. Every time my psychiatrist saw me, he increased my dosage more and more. After about two years of having my dosage increased every month or two, I began having serious side effects. I felt like a zombie, caused a lot of relationship issues as I wasn’t able to hold a conversation. It’s like I lost all my opinions and could no longer think for myself. Lost all creativity, which worsened my depression as I am a designer. I eventually was taken off it when I was taken to the hospital for losing control over my body. I lost all bladder control and would wet my pants frequently. Developed tardive dyskinesia. In the end, I was on 300 mg."

• Deb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Seroquel for sleep, and I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. At first, I was prescribed a low dose, but I still couldn't sleep, so now the dose is 200 mg at night. I also have ADHD, so I take Adderall, along with the Seroquel. What I notice is this: If I go off Adderall, I get very depressed. I did some research on this phenomenon and found out that Seroquel is a dopamine antagonist, which means that it actually suppresses dopamine in your brain. I also take 100 mg of Topamax twice daily as a mood stabilizer, and the combination of medications seems to work like magic. I don't gain weight at all. However, when I had some blood work done, my thyroid hormones were low, and also my blood sugars were very high, even though I am not overweight. I believe these are side effects from the Seroquel. I do not recommend Seroquel unless absolutely necessary for sleep because there are too many metabolic side effects."

• nos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

"My psychiatrist prescribed me Seroquel for my depression as a teenager, and in hindsight, I have no idea why, seeing as it is an antipsychotic. He might have thought it would help with my mood swings and anxiety, but all it really did was make me too exhausted to get out of bed and cause my depression to get worse. It got to the point that I was institutionalized for six days, I felt so utterly depressed and miserable. All the people I've talked to have had similar experiences with this medication. I definitely wouldn't recommend taking Seroquel unless your psychiatrist really thinks it's the best option for you."

• sue...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Made me feel like a zombie. I slept too much, gained 20 lbs, had restless leg syndrome and congestion at night, increased depression, I had a breakdown of laughing and crying at the same time. I lost sense of reality."

• fly...
• August 21, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosed bipolar II early 2017, age 29. A combination of 100 mgs of lamotrigine + 20 mgs Lexapro worked better to stabilize my moods/reduce my anxiety than anything ever had before, I was happy. Partner and I decided I was in a good place to start planning for a baby, however, my psych warned of the possible risks of conceiving on lamotrigine, so I began a 12 mth period of transitioning to Seroquel, which is considered lower risk during pregnancy than lamotrigine. Transitioning between drugs was going to be destabilizing - I was prepared for that. What I wasn’t prepared for was getting to a point where I should have “stabilized” on my 200 mgs of Seroquel, and to be more depressed, more tired, more overweight, less motivated, more aggressive/irritable than I had been in a very long time. I gained 10 kgs in a year, my appetite was HUGE, and I could barely function due to heavy sedation. Back on lamotrigine now and feeling much more like my happy self again."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine is great for sleep and helping anxiety, but if you have responsibilities, work, school, kids, ANYTHING, then be prepared. I am only on 100mg and although I feel calmer and not so irritable, I just feel sort of drowsed and no motivation to do anything, not even simple things like taking a shower or making something to eat. I woke up this morning needing to go to the bathroom and it seemed like an overwhelming task and I was stumbling around like when you are drunk. If you don't have to work or answer to anyone, then it's fine because you can just space out and not have such negative emotions and feel better."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I used this medication at the peak of my mania-induced paranoid psychotic episode, and it helped calm it immediately. However, I am extremely sensitive to medication, so while taking only 25 mg of this, I became so tired that I couldn't possibly stay awake. Even though I took it at night, it became dangerous because I could no longer walk or talk properly, I even considered peeing in the bed because I couldn't even walk to the bathroom...lol. Although it completely knocked me out for 8+ hours and I had a fantastic sleep, when I woke up, I was still tired... which eventually made me depressed. I ended up stopping this medication because I couldn't get the dose up to where it needed to be to control my bipolar symptoms (any higher than 25 mg and I'd start drooling). I guess I'm just very sensitive."

• jer...
• September 28, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking 150 mg XR Seroquel for a year now. It is fantastic for knocking me out and taking all those racing thoughts and wild thinking away at night. I have very odd and random dreams, but I don't mind it. The only troubles I have are that I lack all motivation to do anything. I have been doing worse in school, and my relationship has been falling apart. I just let everything slide. It seems like I just am in my own world and that I could care less for the people around 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."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I suffer from mainly depression and anxiety. I have had a few bouts of hypomania. This was recommended to me to help with anxiety and mood swings. Within an hour of taking this medicine, I was always somewhat buzzed and not in a good way. It felt like you had to lie down and sleep, or you would become extremely irritable. The sleep was great on it, however, you wake up in a fog for hours, usually until dinner time for me. It really flattens you out, so you don't feel much, just emotionless and tired. I took anywhere from 50 to 200 mg, and the result was the same. I am off now and trying safer meds. Seroquel wasn't for me, but I'm glad it helps millions, though!"

• Con...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I felt more emotionally stable on this, meaning when I would have usually gotten to a certain point, the medication stopped it before it could escalate. For the first few months, I was thankful for not completely crashing and burning every couple of weeks (I was in a particularly stressful situation in the period of time I was taking this, so my hopelessness was exacerbated), significant reduction in hallucinations and paranoid delusions, not being able to cry, sleeping consistently, and having no memory of my dreams. The reasons as to why I stopped taking it were degenerated eyesight (my eyesight had been perfect prior to meds), severely affected long and short term memory, and zero motivation in all areas of life. I didn't feel like myself."

• Mad...
• January 20, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am on 600 mg a day, 2x300. It is being used to help with depressive episodes of bipolar, which I get more than the highs. It seems to have helped stop the very, very lows, but I still feel low with little energy or motivation. My appetite seems about the same, although I have put on weight, but that's down to me not working now. Sleep-wise, I struggle to get to sleep, but once I'm asleep, I sleep for about 8 hours."

• 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."

• jkq...
• September 25, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 17. I'm now 19. I was on Seroquel for about six months, and it did improve my episodes to be a lot less frequent. It was a Godsend in that area, but the side effects were horrible. I gained about 55 lbs in five months. I went from a size 4 to a size 12 in a very short amount of time. I became very depressed, I spoke with my doctor and stopped taking it, and I’m doing fine. I have not had any episodes since June 2009, and the weight is coming off very easily. I just exercise three times a week. Overall, I rate this medication a 6 just because of the side effects."

• 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."

• GRa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Seroquel XR for 2.5 years now, with doses ranging from 150mg to 250mg. Currently taking 200mg. It does work, but it works very slowly, therapeutically speaking. The anti-anxiety effects kick in, I would say, in a week or two maximum, and the sleepiness is very intense in the beginning. What I don’t like about it is that you get used to the dose very quickly, and the symptoms return, needing to either up or lower the dose. It’s not a super stable medicine. The first days of upping the dose, you do feel more stable, calmer, peaceful, but a week after, you find yourself asking for more. Now, therapeutically, it brings you back to earth, you know, but it’s not enough. In my case, the lack of motivation is a big thing for me. It was so bad my doctor thought I had attention issues and wanted me to try Adderall, and I said no because I knew it was from Seroquel. Anyway, all antipsychotics are motivation killers and make existing depression worse and trigger ADHD in my case. Good luck."

• Pla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I had side effects beginning Seroquel, which subsided after 6 weeks. I grew to appreciate this drug, it did wonders for my racing thoughts, plus sleep. BUT now I need to come off it after many years. OMG, even tapering is horrible. I'm off it now, and I’m suffering withdrawals. So extreme lethargic, depressed, flu-like, had 2 weeks of random vomiting, plus still had nausea and can hardly look at food. I used to call Seroquel my friend and smile, but now my light-headedness is back. I wish I had energy and could eat well. 2 weeks this could last or more. Just putting this out there, I was a fan and still am, I guess, of this drug, but coming off is hard. I hardly ever get side effects and have gone off quickly with some, but this - this is hard."