Seroquel XR and Depression: What Users Say

• Kmt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2015

For Depression "I have taken it for PTSD at night for a long time. I'm able to sleep without having horrific nightmares. There is weight gain, but that boosts me to eat healthy and exercise, which helps my depression! Klonopin to help with daytime anxiety and Seroquel before bed are the two drugs that keep me sane and able to live a normal life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2014

For Depression "Made me a zombie at low doses and didn't help with depression. In fact, I felt even more depressed since I wasn't able to hold a conversation or think straight due to drowsiness. But it seems to work for some people."

• Bri...
• April 5, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this for about 2 months, and I've recently been getting extremely tired all day long (even if I take it way earlier the day before). The drowsiness is so extreme that I can't even watch a show. I'm literally struggling to stay awake all day because I feel like I just want to sleep my life away. My depression has been through the roof as well! And to top it off, the weight I have gained since I have been on it has been insane. I constantly want to eat all the time! I have gained at least 20-30 pounds in the past month or two! I am definitely going to tell my doctor I want off of it ASAP! I can't take it anymore."

• Ang...
• April 11, 2012

For Depression "Was taken off Geodon because of nighttime anxiety and put on Seroquel XR. I feel so unmotivated. Sedated. I no longer feel better by afternoon when it's time to take it again. I dread the next dose. Haven't felt this depressed in a while."

• Pho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2021

For Schizophrenia "Seroquel XR saved my life. But, at a heavy price. Numb, zombie-like existence, no emotions, flat affect, morbid obesity. It takes hours and multiple cups of coffee to wake up... etc. But it has kept me safe by keeping me out of the psych ward."

• Pho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2021

For Schizophrenia "Seroquel XR saved my life. But, at a heavy price. Numb, zombie-like existence, no emotions, flat affect, morbid obesity. It takes hours and multiple cups of coffee to wake up... etc. But it has kept me safe by keeping me out of the psych ward."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have had a negative experience on Seroquel. I do not want this to deter anyone from taking it, as everyone's reaction and experience on this medicine is subjective; I just want to put this out there for anyone who might be experiencing similar symptoms and reactions and may be hesitant to say it and to just relate my own experience. I am bipolar II and have untreated ADHD due to the ADHD medicines causing manic episodes. I started Seroquel 2 months ago when I was having a bout of insomnia. I should state that I was on Wellbutrin, Lamictal, and Paxil, and was feeling good. I was productive during the day and upbeat. I was prescribed Seroquel for the insomnia and taken off all the others except Lamictal. I am now a 'zombie', depressed, sleepy 24/7."

• Mia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2018

For Depression "I got prescribed Seroquel XR for my sleep, and it is supposed to help me with my sleeping, and it does. I don’t follow a specific roster of when I’m meant to take it, so I’m on and off every week, and I only just started noticing that when I start taking it after a while of not taking it, my depression gets worse. I’m not really sure of what’s going on."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Great med, weight gain yes 50 lbs over 8 months. Started working out at the gym and watching what I eat and feeling good and hopeful for the future. Down 30 lbs. Does feel a little loss of motivation at 500mg. Trying to lower dose to 300mg. Update later."

• VC8...
• December 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel XR saves my life! No more mania and no more suicidal thoughts in the past year of taking this med! It completely squashed my mania and stopped my racing thoughts better than any other medication! I still had some depression for a while, but not nearly as bad! My doctor recently added Lamictal for additional help on the depressive side, and I’ve never felt so stable in my life! Not to mention that Seroquel helps me sleep well for the first time in my life! :)"

• CRC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking this medicine for 11 years. I was diagnosed with bipolar 26 years ago. Then, 3 years ago, another doctor said I don't have bipolar, it's mood dysregulation from complex trauma and PTSD. Anyway, regardless, I do need medication, as it does help. I was originally given Seroquel for anxiety and to help me sleep. Doses have been from 100 mg to 200 mg per day. I've always noticed that when I take it, my sinuses get extremely blocked to the point it affects my breathing. Then I got COVID and developed asthma, so I could no longer tolerate being on it anymore. So the doctor helped me reduce it. I'm now down to 25 mg per day, and my sleeping has improved a lot. I'm no more anxious than before. I realize now that this medication was making me so sleepy and zombie-like, I had no motivation, just getting by each day. It seems I didn't need that much Seroquel after all. I am grateful for this medication, but I think maybe people are being given higher doses than are necessary."

• Lia...
• September 6, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "English is not my main language, so if something is not understood, know why. From the age 16 to 17, I had depression and I had social anxiety, then I tried to kill myself and went into a mental hospital. The trauma I had there made me do the same thing again. They tried every single medication on me, and then they decided Seroquel XR is the best med for me. It really made me be balanced, but also made me apathetic and not connected to my feelings and thoughts. My memory was terrible, and I barely talked. I stopped taking it for one day and went into a manic-psychotic mood, and I'm writing it from another mental hospital. I'm happy that I stopped taking this, I want to feel alive, not like a zombie."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I only took this one evening, it put me to sleep. This was one of the strongest medicines I've taken. I was put on 50 mg. I felt horrible the next day, couldn't concentrate to read, felt more depressed, had to go back to bed in the morning, and felt horrible the whole day. Luckily, my doctor said I could quit it."