Sertraline for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• vol...
• May 14, 2011

Sertraline "I took Zoloft for 2 years at 100 mg daily for bipolar disorder type I. Zoloft is wonderful in that it made me significantly less anxious. However, it didn't succeed in making me any less depressed. Also, as with most antidepressants, I experienced a decreased sex drive."

• Bug...
• April 29, 2008

Sertraline "This med works wonders. It helps with my social anxiety, night terrors, PTSD, and definitely my depression. I am very pleased and would recommend this to others with bipolar disorder to talk with their docs."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2023

"I have been taking sertraline for about 7 months, and overall, I have noticed several positive effects. My mood, especially low mood, has improved, and I am experiencing fewer episodes of suicidal thoughts. I also have better control over self-harming behaviors. While I have had success with other medications in the past, the positive effects of sertraline seem to be lasting longer. On the negative side, I have experienced sleep disturbances. I have struggled with sleeping patterns for many years, but since starting sertraline, I have noticed increased difficulty falling asleep. There are more days when I struggle to sleep, which sometimes results in crashing and sleeping excessively for two or three consecutive days. I have also noticed a decrease in my appetite and subsequent weight loss. Although I needed to lose some weight, I am watching this closely as I have a history of fluctuating between a lower appetite and binge eating. Therefore, I am still evaluating the impact of sertraline on my appetite and weight."

• cor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2022

"Worst idea of my life. Took it because I wanted to mitigate anxiety induced by Abilify 5 mg. I took 25 mg of sertraline for about a week, and it made me go full mixed episode, crying all the time, doing drugs, talking about suicide with my boss (so inappropriate), having that weird energy where you can't sleep but are so tired... I stopped after a week. Be careful taking an SSRI with bipolar disorders!"

• Kwi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 19, 2016

"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, severe depression, PTSD, and anxiety in May of 2015. I have been suffering since childhood. I used to have racing thoughts, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, extreme highs and lows within minutes, etc. I can now be around family and friends without screaming, deal with traffic, and go to the grocery store without having a mental breakdown. The first couple of weeks were rough but wore off after three weeks or so. I have been on it since May 2015 at 200 mg a day. Lately, I have had horrible migraines and nausea and don't have any motivation to find a new job."

• chg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2018

"Thanks so much to everyone who has shared their early experience with sertraline. I am on day 3 and do have the nausea. I am going to stick with it though. It is tolerable. I am actually switching from venlafaxine to sertraline. But so far I like the sertraline. Good luck to everyone and thanks again for posting."

• Liz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 20, 2019

"I was having trouble at work. I’m on the sertraline pill for a year and it is working, but now I think I have to go to the doctor to increase the dosage. I’m feeling too much pressure. I’m taking a class and I need to get better as I feel too much stress."

• Spo...
• July 28, 2018

"Suffered anxiety/depression all my life. I am bipolar 2. Last year I first tried sertraline 25 mg. I bridged from 37.5 mg venlafaxine to 25 mg sertraline, and after 3 weeks of withdrawal/side effects, it started to work! My friend got me into apple cider vinegar (ACV) for good health. Silly me found out that eventually ACV rendered sertraline ineffective after a few weeks. In fact, it started making everything worse again! I discovered the world of amino acids, 5-HTP, St. John’s wort, adaptogens, nootropics, etc., and tried medicating through that. Lasted a good year before I found myself spiraling out of control again! Doc put me back on sertraline 25-50 mg. Developed suicidal ideation and wanted to check myself into the hospital, quit my job, and let the world fall on me! I stopped taking this after a week and feel better. I highly recommend you look up over/undermethylation if you are experiencing mental illness, it has a HUGE role in your health! Can help decide what natural supplements and pharmaceuticals will work best for you. God bless!"

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2013

"I take many medications for depression (bipolar), and this one helps without the sleepiness that the other ones give. I take a total of four different medications for depression, some to help me sleep and others as a supplement."

• Cry...
• October 2, 2009

Sertraline "My original experience with Zoloft was over ten years ago, during a serious depressive episode - it seemed to be effective as a stabilizer. This past December, a doctor prescribed it again to help pull me out of another downturn. Within the course of a month, I progressed from severe depression to ultradian mood cycling, which resulted in a nervous breakdown. The cycling abated within a couple of weeks of discontinued treatment with Zoloft."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2013

"Initially, it helped with anxiety and depression. However, I started having manic episodes and rapid cycling while on it. My psychiatrist said no more SSRIs for me, and they generally aren't recommended for bipolar. Now I wish I could have some of the anti-anxiety effects of Zoloft, but that benefit is not worth the risk. Zoloft gave me slight sexual side effects, overeating, and minor headaches. That being said, it is a miracle for some."

• Ang...
• April 7, 2017

"Just recently was diagnosed with bipolar, tapered off of Paxil to try this. Oh my, I was not myself. Much worse. My mania went through the roof, talking very fast, spending money without thought, impetuous thoughts. Needed to come off of it after a week."

• gam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2022

"This medication provided me with a slight improvement in my condition that mixed compulsive thoughts, mood swings, and anxiety accompanied by severe depression. In two weeks, I didn't notice any improvement, I just felt the side effects. In the third week, I felt relief. Nothing great, but it left me well enough to be noticed by others. I keep taking it, no complete improvement. I hope it works out in the next few weeks."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2008

"I have been on many different SSRIs, and sertraline has worked much better than any other medicine. I've been on it for about 5 years now. The only suggestion I have is to make sure you have regular contact with your doctor because I have the dose changed every once in a while to suit my needs."

• Im...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 14, 2016

"I'm on Zoloft for many years but have tried many others. But I don't think that I'm bipolar. That's a diagnosis I got 20 years ago. I'm scheduled to get an updated diagnosis next week. I have had depression since I was in grade school. I knew it. Through the years, I've read about symptoms and just recently read an article about how to know what kind of counselor to choose. So I will let you all know how it goes because I've been looking for help as my depression and anxiety, helplessness, affective mood disorder are driving me to not want to be here anymore. Obviously, I'm not ready, though, because I'm still pounding my head up against the wall."

• Wea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2014

"I have tried a variety of SSRI antidepressant medications, and Zoloft by far was the most useful in managing my anxiety and depression. I am bipolar 1 and also take lithium, propranolol, gabapentin, Vistaril, and Klonopin. The main problem was that, more recently, I have begun having rapid cycling manic episodes, forcing me to begin tapering off."

• bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2021

"This medication made my depressive episode significantly worse. I was taking 50 mg in conjunction with 200 mg Lamictal, and I absolutely had a bad downward spiral. I cried every day and thought about overdosing every other day. I lost 7 pounds because I was too depressed to cook. I know it works for some people, but not for me. Good luck!"

• Cia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2021

"A big no-no for me. Rapid cycling, mixed episodes, I would definitely be in a lot better financial situation if I hadn't been on this drug. I've been on it with and without Seroquel, and either way, it's been terrible. Probably good for MDD but not for bipolar."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2021

"The worst antidepressant I’ve ever been on. Can you say nausea and exhaustion? I could not function on this medication. Even at the low dose of 25 mg, I was unable to eat consistently, and by 10 am I would feel like it was midnight. I had to take a leave from work just to get off the stuff. Listen to your body, if you’ve been on it for over a month and you’re still sick every day, I feel for you, and it’s time to try something else."

• Gig...
• January 7, 2018

"After years of yo-yo medications and many trips to St. Anthony's for long stays, I am finally stabilized. Took over 10 years, but now I am going on 3 years of no episodes. Miracle."

• cw3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2016

"Feel much better. I'm energized, and my mood slowly gets better every day. I'm on week two. 100 mg/d."

• atl...
• September 4, 2009

Sertraline "I seem to be doing very well on this medicine (was on Cymbalta for 2 years, and it lost its purpose, such as many antidepressants do). Zoloft is not supposed to wear off over time."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2020

"150 mg sertraline for anxiety. Game changer. I take it with lithium and Vraylar."

• Muf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 18, 2021

"This is the best antidepressant I have ever tried for bipolar depression disorder type 2. It is absolutely wonderful!"

• col...
• October 4, 2010

Sertraline "Worked well for a month, then I quickly ramped up to a manic episode."