Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 3)

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2023

"This medication has honestly saved my life! I have never suffered from anxiety until it just came on overnight. I honestly felt like I was having a mental breakdown, I was having panic attacks and awful intrusive thoughts, and it was sending me in a downward spiral fast. I went to my GP, and they prescribed me sertraline. I’ve never taken medication for anything, so I was skeptical to start it, but after reading reviews and feeling like I genuinely had no choice, I decided to try it. The first three weeks were the worst time of my life: suicidal thoughts constantly, and my anxiety was through the roof to the point I couldn’t leave my house, and I would just lay in bed any chance I got. But after about three and a half weeks, I’ve started to feel myself again. My anxiety has pretty much gone, I’m not having any intrusive thoughts, and I’m starting to enjoy life again. I honestly don’t think I would be here today if I hadn’t started this medication, I’m so glad I gave it a chance."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2014

"I was under huge amounts of stress. Divorce, lost my home, my car, and no child support. Then 2 of my kids left for college. I went on like this for 3 years and finally broke down. I couldn't function, I couldn't go out in public, I hated life. I felt like the worst person in the world and wanted to die. I finally went to the doc. She gave me 50mg and it made my anxiety skyrocket, helped my depression though. She cut me back to 25mg. No luck, went back to 50mg with Ativan as needed. Finally, after 2 months, I went up to 100mg with clonazepam as needed and now I am depression and anxiety-free, and no more clonazepam. No more negative ruminating thoughts, no more feelings of worthlessness. It has brought me back to life which I have not felt for years!"

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2024

"I wanted to take the time to write a review, as reading all those already on this site got me through the first 6 weeks of taking sertraline. I experienced every side effect possible and felt so low I ended up in hospital after a few days of taking them. However, I'm now on week 8, and my life is transformed. My anxiety/depression has pretty much gone, and I can go about my life as normal. My advice - STICK WITH IT, it does get better. Reach out and use the support of your friends and family if you struggle initially."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2022

"I'm going to be completely honest here: the first month and each time increasing was absolutely the worst. The side effects of heightened anxiety are not for the faint of heart, especially if you are going on these drugs for this reason. BUT if you stick it through, which somehow I did, you get your life back. They saved me. I hope this helps anyone who needs to hear the truth when it comes to expectations. Of course, some have no side effects, and some it doesn't work at all, but if you are having good days or moments periodically (initially, which I called my breakthrough moments) there's a good chance you'll come out the other side if you hang in there. This is not a quick fix or a miracle. Good luck. If I can do it, so can you."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2021

"I started sertraline on September 9th, 25 mg for two weeks, then 50 mg for two weeks, moved to 100 mg for two weeks, and finally on October 25th, started 150 mg. All I can say is the first 4 weeks were horrible. I experienced every single side effect: constant nausea, migraines, diarrhea, anxiety/panic attacks, shakiness, tremors, heart palpitations, sweating, lack of appetite, blurred vision, dry mouth, no energy, and insomnia. Sometimes by the end of week five, I started feeling improvement, and for about a week now, I feel incredible. I finally got my life back, this is the old me that I didn't experience for the last year and a half. I am so grateful for this medication, I can say it's saved my life. All I can say is stick to it, don't stop taking the medicine. You will feel worse before it gets better. Keep in contact with your doctor for instructions, and read what people are posting. That's exactly what I did day after day, and that's what kept me going."

• Suf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2024

"I previously posted when I was at 9 days to say I read the posts every day seeking reassurance... I later posted on 29 December 2023 when at 2 weeks and 4 days, saying I was feeling some benefit but didn't see how I could ever be happy again. What a change there has been. I am now at 7 weeks and 2 days and feel great. No more dread in the morning in the pit of my stomach. No more racing thoughts or rumination. My upsetting situation has not changed but I am able to cope. I am stronger and can enjoy myself without the cloud of misery hiding on my shoulder. I started at 50mg of sertraline and have remained at this dosage with no plans to increase. To recap, the first week was hard with continuous shaking and anxiety, rumination, running to the loo every hour. No appetite. These all passed in about ten days. Today, I am unaware of any side effects. I bless the day my doctor prescribed sertraline. It can be scary to start a new medication, but I found this to work so well for me."

• Att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2021

"32-year-old in a professional job, where poor mental health tends to be frowned upon amongst the alpha male types. I used to be one of them! Two months ago, I had a horrific panic attack which looked like a mini stroke. I attended A&E convinced I had a stroke, ruled out by the staff. The next three weeks, I was continually waking up at 3 am to severe panic attacks, genuinely feeling like I was losing my mind. I felt crazy, and my thoughts became obsessive, and I had a deep-rooted feeling of guilt and shame for things I have done and said in my life. This progressed into deep suicidal ideation. My partner hid my car keys for three days due to being so worried about my thoughts. GP prescribed me 50mg sertraline to begin with. At week three of this med, my GP upped medication to 100mg. I am 90% back to myself, back to enjoying all the activities I once enjoyed but couldn't bring myself around to doing. Those first few weeks were scary. No matter how positive I tried to be, it felt like my mind was being possessed by a darkness I can't describe it."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2019

"Sertraline is unbelievable. I was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks for 18 months and refused to take medication for it, in the belief that it would make me weak as a male. I’d wake up daily scanning my body, thinking what’s wrong with me today. I went to the doctors monthly for a checkup believing there was something wrong with me. Then I decided to give the medication a go. For the first two weeks, it was horrible. I felt worse than I ever did before - sickness, head pressure, loss of appetite, increased anxiety and panic attacks, and feeling zoned out. After the two-week mark, I have never felt better. I have very little anxiety and no panic attacks, and actually enjoy life again. Please stick in there when you start taking sertraline, they are brilliant. Advice at the start is to take a couple of weeks off work as you will not want to go in. These will change your life and make you smile again."

• SGG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

"Read this fully, trust me! This is my 3rd time trying sertraline for low mood/stress/anxiety. 1st time in 2010, stopped after a week due to loss of sex drive and panicked and stopped! 2nd time in 2020, same as above! 3rd time 5 weeks ago and still on it, and I will stay on it for life! Let me explain to you why! I called the doctor explaining my situation about low mood, and she said let’s try sertraline again, this time KEEP ON IT for at least 2 months! First week, 0 sex drive. Second week, exhaustion. Week 3, anxiety. From week 4 and onwards, EVERYTHING is perfect! My sex drive is on overdrive! No racing thoughts, 0 anxiety, and sleep like a baby! My mood has increased, I feel happy and positive. Moral? STICK WITH IT! Takes a little while to kick in, but it works AMAZING! I don’t feel like a zombie, I feel super calm and clear-headed! My sex drive is better than ever! I sleep perfectly! My mood is great, 0 anxiety. This is a miracle drug, and I will never come off it!"

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2023

"I've had moderate anxiety all my life. Six months into the pandemic, however, my anxiety went through the roof, accompanied by obsessive worrying, depression, and insomnia. It was so bad I had to stop working. I thought about suicide-not that I wanted to, but I worried I might, if that makes any sense. I was terrified of taking an antidepressant. Initially, it made my anxiety worse. But about two weeks in, the anxiety started to lift. I remember walking past a bakery and suddenly having the desire to buy a cinnamon bun-just to enjoy one of life's little pleasures. I am tearing up as I remember this because it was a turning point. My obsessive thoughts, GAD, and depression gradually eased, and I began to enjoy life at a deeper level than I ever had, without anxiety or obsessive worries getting in the way. I'm taking 100 mg. The main downside is delayed orgasm, but I can manage by temporarily reducing the dose. To anyone suffering right now, there IS hope! I am living proof."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2024

"I feel compelled to write a review for this medication because of how much it has helped me and how scared I was to take it. Like many people with anxiety, I was TERRIFIED to try medication, but I knew my anxiety was out of control. I was at a point where I couldn't grocery shop or attend any social gatherings without severe anxiety. The first 2 weeks were hell. I couldn't get out of bed, washing my hair felt like the hardest task in the world. My anxiety got so much worse in the beginning. I even had scary intrusive thoughts. My partner stayed with me the whole time and was so supportive, which helped tremendously. After two weeks, I started to notice a difference. The side effects went away and I was less anxious. I am now on week 4 and I have no side effects, and my anxiety is gone. I can grocery shop, go to social gatherings, and live my life in peace. For anyone who is going through the tough bits…I have been where you have been. Keep pushing. It works."

• lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2014

"I'm 15 and since elementary school I've had anxiety. In December 2013, it started getting severe to the point where I couldn't get any work done or fall asleep for hours. I was extremely concerned about my heart because my chest was hurting and I was having heart palpitations (which worried me more). I finally went to a psychologist mid-February and started Zoloft 25 mg a day for the first week. Now I'm on 50mg/day. I have never been happier. My life has completely turned around. I function like a normal person, and I never worry about my heart anymore. I started noticing the Zoloft working at the beginning of the second week. Only side effect: decreased appetite for the first few weeks, but 100% back to normal now. Zoloft truly changed my life."

• Bel...
• February 4, 2016

"Normally, I would never write a review on a drug, but I've had such a positive experience with sertraline that I really want to help others with my experience. I've always suffered with severe anxiety & low mood, particularly in winter. I had a rough time with my PhD not going to plan several months ago & started to feel worse and worse, feeling anxious and panicky all the time. After CBT failed to work, I finally agreed to try sertraline. I was terrified of taking drugs, terrified of side effects and feeling worse. Started on 50mg, had a little nausea and anxiety but not too bad. After 3 weeks my doctor upped me to 100mg. 3 months later & my anxiety has almost entirely gone & my mood is always good! I'm so happy I gave this drug a chance!"

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2022

"I was on sertraline 37.5 mg daily 9 years ago due to several back-to-back tragedies. My anxiety was off the charts. All I could do was sit in bed and stare at the wall while my mind raced, my heart beating through my chest, sweating, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat. Sertraline saved me 9 years ago so much so that roughly a year ago I tapered off it. Big mistake. My anxiety recently returned almost as bad as before so just started 25mg daily and may increase to 37.5mg or 50mg if not seeing improvement at week 4. This treatment saved me 9 years ago so hoping it will save me again. I’m 45 years old and once I get my current anxiety under control I’ll be on it for the rest of my life. Folks that have never suffered through constant anxiety are blessed… lucky. Each time I count the hours until hopefully soon I can tell myself “today I feel ok… today the world isn’t crashing down around me. Today I feel like eating something.” Hang in there everybody!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2020

"After giving birth to my little boy, I began to worry about everything. I lost control of my thoughts. I couldn’t eat or even concentrate on anything. I began to feel guilty for my son. I was prescribed sertraline, but I was terrified to start the medication. I researched all the side effects and other people’s experiences, and that scared me. Eventually, I knew it was time to start taking them if I wanted to get my life back. I had some side effects (night sweats!) and the anxiety may have gotten worse before it got better. On day 3, it was like a switch in my brain, and I suddenly felt better. I wasn’t sure if it was a placebo effect or real, but I was so happy to be feeling more myself. And it got better from there. I have now been on them for 2 years. I’ve tried to come off, but after a few months, the anxiety feelings come flooding back."

• Jac...
• May 10, 2017

"This medication saved my life. I suffered with severe anxiety and panic attacks. I became really down because it had taken over my life and it was a daily struggle. After two days, the medication stopped my panic attacks, but also made me very tired and zombie-like. I didn't want to do much. However, after about 2 weeks, this stopped and I got better. I improved each week. After a month, I went back to work and now I am 6 months down the line and pretty much back to the old me, anxiety-free. ❤️ I know this medication affects everyone differently, but for me, it changed my life all for the better. Just give this medication a chance because it might be horrible at first, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, guys. I hope this can give some faith."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2015

"I am a 29-year-old female, and I have never taken a drug in my life prior to being prescribed 25mg of Sertraline (Zoloft). I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks. One of my panic attacks happened while I was driving to work, and I was just scared to death to drive ever since for almost 6 months. I did a lot of research prior to taking this drug. I was horrified of side effects and getting addicted to the drug. Long story short, I have been on this medicine for two months now, and it has completely changed my life. I can drive now without fear, and I feel great again :). This drug has completely changed my life. You do not have to be on it forever. Please, talk to your doctor and give this medicine a try. Take care!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2022

"I am a mum, I work full-time, I study, and I run a side business. It was during Covid that it all became too much, and I fell into a giant hole of anxiety. I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and OCD. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or shower myself. I had intrusive thoughts on repeat all day long. After two failed attempts at meds and almost being admitted to the hospital, I decided to try the medication and stick with it. My GP started me on 50mg, and after 4 weeks, increased to 100mg. I remember saving the reviews that said it can take a while and would read them over and over. After 6 weeks on 100mg, I increased to 125mg. My final increase was 8 weeks later to 150mg. I found each increase started to lift the fog. My intrusive thoughts started to fade. I started sleeping, got my appetite back, and returned to work. 150mg is the right dose for me. I have been on Sertraline for 22 weeks, and I am 95% back to myself. If you are starting the meds, my advice is to keep going and be patient. It was a very slow process."

• Lv3...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2024

"Do not give up hope! For me, this medication made me feel x10000 worse; increased anxiety and then spiraling depression, particularly for the first 22 days. Would read other reviews constantly to give me the strength to fight on. Now I’m a few months into my sertraline journey, have gone from 25mg to 50mg, and I can honestly say, strangely!!! it’s one of the best things to have happened to me. I’m not “anxiety free” (as no human is!), but I can OBSERVE my anxiety. It no longer controls me, but I can see it come and go. Can’t recommend this drug enough alongside other self-care practices such as good routine, journaling, physical exercise, healthy diet, etc. Be so kind to yourself; take things moment by moment. You are so incredibly resilient; keep fighting. I promise, this too shall pass."

• jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

"After years of suffering with anxiety and refusing to take medication, I had no option but to give sertraline a try. I'd been given the drug twice and never took them, but felt this was now my last chance and couldn't carry on. I started on 50 mg and the 1st week was terrible, worse than ever before, but I stuck with it. After 2 weeks, I felt better and realized things were starting to improve. I'm 16 days in and glad I stuck it out, and I'm ready to go up to 100 mg next week. Stick in there, it gets better. Just be strong and ride it out, you're not alone."

• Pet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2019

"Last year I suffered a period of anxiety for the first time in my life. This followed an incident that left me feeling anxious. I developed severe insomnia and literally could not sleep for over 6 months. My anxiety transferred to anxiety about not sleeping which exacerbated the situation. I literally tried everything to help, but nothing worked. It became so bad that I did consider giving up and ending my life. Finally, I met a different doctor who listened and prescribed Sertraline. Initially, for the first two weeks, it was tough and sleeping didn’t improve... but then it started to turn around and I found myself finally sleeping again. I took Sertraline for 6 months before tapering off slowly. I am now completely back to my old self, sleeping brilliantly, and feeling great. This medication saved me, it really did. Fully recommend."

• Pro...
• May 7, 2025

"I am 50 years old. I have always been an anxious person and suffered a bit with panic attacks when I was 19-22, but managed with hiding away and breathing exercises. I have managed to create a successful career, however, I have masked my anxiety over the years. I did use alcohol for many years before quitting in 2019 for 5 years. Fast forward to March 2025, and a series of stressful events drove me to what felt like a panic attack that I could not escape from. I ended up at A&E as I was convinced I was going to have a stroke. I was discharged from the hospital with a 2 mg Diazepam (Valium). After my GP prescribed propranolol for 1 week, I was put on 50 mg sertraline and have been on that for 7 weeks. It is a game changer, but the first 2 weeks were horrendous with insomnia. Stick with it. It will get better, I mean so SO much better!!"

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2023

"Sertraline and this website have changed my life. I have read it every day while I was starting sertraline for (finally diagnosed) anxiety. I was so dizzy I could not function, literally, it never subsided while I was sitting, laying down, eyes open or closed. I wanted to die, I felt so useless. My doctor instantly started me on 25 mg. The first week was hell, and I wanted to stop the medicine, but I knew you had all been successful, so I forged ahead. Gradually, it got better, but after two weeks, he bumped me to 50 mg, and that was my turning point. After four weeks, I feel life is worth living again. Most important message: STAY WITH IT. It will get better. Finally, I can shower without my husband being home. I can feed the dogs. Still not driving, but my expectation is to do that next week. YOU WILL RECOVER, even when it seems impossible."

• Ada...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2023

"I took Sertraline last year for anxiety with an element of PTSD due to the suicide of a family member. As seems common on here, the first few weeks were really tough. I had the common side effects of nausea, increased anxiety, twitchy jaw, etc. After about 4 weeks, that began to settle, and around 5-6 weeks, the full effect kicked in, and it was amazing. I said to my wife that my mind became a very pleasant place to be. I was able to just lie on the sofa with a smile on my face and just feel happy to be there. I felt more like myself than I had in years. More happy, more settled, and not at all emotionally deadened. If you are thinking of trying them, I would wholly recommend you do, I wish I had sooner. The first few weeks might be tough, but once you start on them, then help is on the way. When the full effect arrives, it will be worth every bad day a thousand times over. Don't give in to despair, you can do it."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

"I've now been taking sertraline for 8 weeks and it continues to work well for me. The only residual side effect is fatigue, however, the doctor explained that this may be due to the reduction in stress/anxiety and less reliance on adrenaline for energy. My relationship with my partner has improved in every way, I have more patience with my children, and am less irritable. I'm also less stressed at work, more confident, and positive. I'm possibly a little less obsessive also. I've started to think about setting goals for the future and feel that life is worth living."