Sertraline for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Bon...
• January 19, 2018

"I suffered from panic attacks in June 2016, then GAD came after with my depression. It took me almost a year before I sought help from the doctor. When I did, he recommended me Zoloft, started at 50 mg for 7 days, then 75 mg for 14 days, and I'm now on 100 mg, week 6. The first month is pretty up and down, it does take at least 4 weeks to start feeling the meds working. Now I'm on week 6, and I really do feel like my life is coming back, and I'm not worried or having negative thoughts as much. I can do things again I never thought I could. Zoloft is an awesome med. Just hang in there for a few months, it sure does work."

• Jod...
• May 31, 2018

"I've struggled with anxiety for 15 years, and sertraline was the last hope after 18 months of talk therapy, CBT, and mindfulness training. I felt a failure when the doctor advised going onto these tablets due to the stigma and effort not to lean on tablets as a crutch. I regret my hesitation, as I could have saved years of suffering. It's been 8 weeks on 50 mg, and I'm starting to rebuild my life and make plans for the future. I'm starting to trust my thoughts, which used to be scrambled, and my emotions are more in control, thank goodness. :-) The stigma can hold people back, but once you take the plunge, that concern will fall to one side, and I no longer care what people think, who haven't been in the same fight, battling through each anxiety episode, hoping to make it through the day without causing too much damage. This medication may not be right for everyone, and you may have to try a different one, but it's worth finding your tablet cure, as they can work wonders in getting you back to yourself."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2024

"My doctor prescribed me 25mg of sertraline for generalized anxiety a month ago. After about 8 days on 25mg, I experienced some initial side effects such as a slight increase in anxiety and nausea. However, I suddenly started feeling much less anxious and generally happier. It was at that time my doctor increased the dose to 50mg. On 50mg, I felt the anxiety increasing each day until after 2 weeks on 50mg, I started having panic attacks. I myself reduced the dose to 25mg and immediately the anxiety went down again. I informed my doctor about this, and he reduced my prescribed dose back to 25mg. So far, it has been good, it has been a week since the change, and I'm definitely feeling way better than I did prior to starting sertraline. I still experience some anxiety but not at the scary levels that I was feeling previously, which made life seem not worth living. I feel optimistic and happy to be alive again. There is a lot of information online that will tell you that less than 50mg per day is of little use, but for me, 25mg seems to work, and 50mg makes me feel worse."

• NW ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2021

"If you're feeling depressed and anxious. If you feel very emotional and cry a lot and are worrying you're having a breakdown and you're reading this to hear from others before you consider sertraline, all I can say is, if you've reached this point, you need help and this medication will calm your mind and make you finally feel relaxed and less anxious. I've been on 50 mg for 5 months now and felt better within a few days of starting them. Sleep was different to start with... dreams and woke quite a bit but got to the point where I enjoyed the deep sleep in between waking and waking feeling very refreshed and relaxed. Just stick at it. The calming focused feeling has really helped me during a stressful part of my life and it's helping me think clearly and make important decisions. At 5 months now and I'm going to lower the dose and start taking 25 mg a day."

• Lis...
• July 13, 2017

"I started sertraline 50 mg nearly a year ago. I was very stressed constantly! Shouting at the kids for silly things, I hated myself and was always looking at the stuff I didn't have! Very moody and miserable, and this started affecting my relationship! I went to the doctor's, and she gave me sertraline. I did not have any side effects other than an unsettled stomach for a week or so. I started seeing improvements in the first week! It completely changed my outlook on life, and I am so happy now and can enjoy the simple things in life again. Would highly recommend this drug!"

• Sva...
• November 16, 2015

"I was originally nervous about taking this medication, but I reluctantly began taking 25 mg in the evening. After 3 weeks, I definitely noticed a great improvement in my mood, but my sleep, or lack of it, was miserable. After the 4th week on sertraline and 0.5 mg of clonazepam at night, I honestly feel back to normal with normal sleep patterns and appetite. I am at week 6 on both meds, and life is great! Trust your doctor, take the meds. Get back to enjoying life!"

• amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2021

"Sertraline saved my life. If you’re thinking about it but too scared, just know that the side effects in the first couple of weeks (headaches, low motivation, tiredness, etc.) are so worth it when you begin to see the benefits. After 4 weeks, the side effects had completely subsided, my anxiety and panic attacks significantly reduced. By 6 weeks, my depression had lifted. Now I’ve been on them for around 3 months, and I feel like I’ve got myself back. I haven’t had a panic attack for over a month when I used to have them daily. I’m so glad, after putting it off for too long, that I eventually tried meds."

• Eli...
• April 22, 2017

"I am prescribed generic Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg once a day for anxiety and depression. I am sensitive to drugs, so I only take half, 25 mg. Since I've been on it, I've only had one or two mild panic attacks over the course of 2 years! I was having attacks 3x a week or more before taking it. It helped reduce compulsive behaviors and definitely helped my social anxiety issues immensely. Before Sertraline, I felt like I couldn't even act normal in public. For me, there is a mental as well as a physical effect. Even being in public spaces where I would normally be incredibly anxious, I feel physically better, smoother. The only side effect was a light headache that only lasted the first week. I would definitely recommend starting on a low dose!"

• Aem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2022

"I had anxiety since 2018. Last year, there was severe anxiety and a panic attack. My symptoms were hyperventilating, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, weakness, heart palpitations, I could not stand the smell of food, shaking, etc. The doctor gave me 50 mg sertraline for 2 weeks, and my anxiety became worse. I took 100 mg, and after 6 weeks on 100 mg, I noticed a lot of improvements. Finally, after 12 weeks on 100 mg, I was completely healed and my anxiety symptoms were gone. I took Zoloft (sertraline) for 9 months, and now I have stopped taking it. I rate this medicine 9 out of 10."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2012

"For three months, I suffered from debilitating nausea (without vomiting). I couldn't get out of bed because I constantly felt like I was going to vomit. It was absolutely horrible, and I could not figure out what was wrong with me. I've always been an anxious/stressed-out person but never thought that it was out of the ordinary. Finally, my family forced me to go to the doctor, and she told me that because of my upcoming life events (getting married, starting a new career, moving out) and because of my Type A personality, it's likely I have a slight chemical imbalance in my brain, which could be causing my extreme nausea. I was so reluctant to take the sertraline, but am SO glad that I did! My nausea is GONE, and I can live life again!"

• Sat...
• July 14, 2017

"I was in the darkest place I had ever been before taking Zoloft. I was on Prozac prior, and I would have 3 to 4 panic attacks a day. I would go to class and need to excuse myself so I could scream and cry about how I would lose everything if I failed out of university, my family, my fraternity brothers, my reputation, etc. I am so grateful my GP prescribed this to me. The first few days, all I wanted to do was sleep. I took about 1 week to get any sort of reaction. I was finally able to focus on school and relax/play video games. I haven't had a single panic attack since starting this medication, and I couldn't be happier! My friends and family all noticed the difference too!"

• Dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2014

"I've been suffering from generalized anxiety for four and a half months. It was pretty severe. My doctor prescribed me 25 mg of Zoloft, and it works wonders! Thanks to it, I'm back to my old self, and I feel less anxious. Thank you, Zoloft!"

• GAD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2018

"After I received a prescription for this, it took me 10 months to finally take it because I was terrified of side effects. The very first day I took it, I was on this site scrolling through these reviews trying to find hope. After week 7, my mood slowly started rising, and I felt like the depression was lifting. I am now on week 16 and back to my old self! I just can't believe that 4 months ago I thought my life was over to now feeling amazing! But I want to mention that I have been working on myself in other ways. In addition to this medication, I meditate daily, exercise, do yoga, read self-help books, and listen to anxiety podcasts. I just didn't want to give all the credit to Zoloft, but it gave me a bridge to be able to focus and learn how to manage my anxiety better. I really want to reiterate that it takes a while for this to kick in (my peak was week 14), so be patient. I am so glad I became brave enough to finally take it! The only side effect is hot flashes. Best of luck, everyone!"

• alt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2016

"I have been suffering from depression and anxieties for many years. When I was starting high school, I was prescribed Paxil and had taken that for 14 years. During my third year of college, when I was 22, I found out that I had generalized anxiety disorder, because I worried more than the average person. It was only last year that I found out that Paxil was no longer effective, so my doctor suggested that I gradually switch over to Zoloft. My doctor informed me that Zoloft also helps ease anxieties. I took her word for it. Since Paxil and Zoloft are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it really is not that hard to make a switch. Zoloft has definitely caused my worries to decrease. I sleep better as well."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2019

"I've found this site really helpful in understanding what may or may not happen when I start the medication. I started sertraline at 50 mg for anxiety and depression over a month ago. Initially, I felt incredible after a couple of days, accompanied by some nausea and on-and-off sleep issues. Once the side effects wore off, so did the euphoria I'd been feeling. I went back to feeling normal, that being anxious and overthinking everything. My doc bumped me up to 100 mg, and the same thing happened again. I'm now in my third week on 100 mg, and if anything, you just feel on edge. I've seen a few reviews on here referring to the patience game, and I'm wondering whether I should indeed stick it out for a few weeks? Don't get me wrong, I know that euphoria feeling was not what I should be expecting, but I'm just hoping I stop worrying as much and chill out a bit! Thanks in advance to anyone who has a minute to offer their thoughts. Cheers."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2025

"I started sertraline on the 22nd of November. I felt like I lived in total fear for no reason at all, it had been building up over 18 months. The first week, I felt nauseous, had no appetite, and extreme tiredness. After the first week, the nausea disappeared. I was just left with no appetite and tiredness, which lasted about 3 weeks. At 4 weeks, my anxiety felt slightly better, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. At six weeks, I felt brilliant. I went to bed one night and realized I hadn’t worried all day or had a panic attack, which is such a strange feeling, and that’s when I realized they were fully working. My side effects weren’t as bad as some I had read. I could still go to work, I just had to eat basic food and sleep a lot! The side effects are worth it with how I feel today. It isn’t a quick fix, it takes time, but it’s definitely worth it."

• Hol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2019

"I started using sertraline for generalized anxiety disorder that included disassociation, panic attacks, paranoia, etc. (I pretty much believed everything around me was fake and felt like I couldn’t cope anymore). On my first day of taking sertraline, I felt so much better. I did not have any side effects apart from a bit of loss of appetite. I swore by sertraline for years and went up to 200 mg daily. I fell pregnant and weaned off of the drug. Now, 10 months post-baby, I’m starting sertraline again for anxiety and low mood (albeit nowhere near as bad)... hoping for the same results as last time!"

• Ano...
• February 26, 2012

"Sertraline has helped me so much. About a year ago, I took a psych test with my doctor (psychologist). I was recommended to go on medication by her, and so I took my results to my actual doctor and went over it with her. She decided to first put me on Prozac, it made my depression ease but my anger way worse. So then she put me on sertraline. Now I'm not so nervous around people. I used to always stay where I could see everyone, but now I'm more at ease with my anxiety and can function and talk smoothly. I don't get angry (barely anymore), and when I do, it's not near as bad as it was. I used to be always sad too. But now it's like when I wake up, I'm happy and wanting to do things again! Thank you, Sertraline!"

• ALC...
• May 5, 2019

"I’m currently on Day 4 of Sertraline, which I was prescribed for anxiety, and being that I may be trying to have a baby soon, my doctor said this drug is one of only a few “safe” for pregnancy. I know it’s early, but I spent the first night I was prescribed this medication reading horror stories about the early side effects, and my experience was not bad at all. I was nauseated the first day with a weird feeling in my jaw, but nothing debilitating. Day 2, woke up with a headache, but no more nausea or jaw issues. The headache subsided as I started my day. Day 3, woke up with a headache again... also went away pretty instantly as I started my day. Day 4, felt absolutely fine. I’ve had no issues sleeping either. I know it’s early, but like I said, some of the initial reactions here are pretty horrific. Overall, I feel pretty great having it only be 4 days in. I feel lighter and like my mind is not racing as much as it used to. I look forward to seeing how I feel in a few weeks."

• zol...
• June 22, 2022

"Taking Zoloft was probably the hardest decision I’ve made this year, and I’m so glad I did it! I was terrified of taking any kind of antidepressants and would often start taking them and stop before they would become effective because it made me so anxious! I will say the first couple of days were the hardest symptom-wise, but if you can push past the first week, you won’t regret it. I had some trouble sleeping at first, nausea, loss of appetite, and I felt on edge and a little antsy, but after the first week, most of my symptoms were gone! If you’re scared of taking this medication, take this as a sign to push through your fear and do what’s best for you! Everyone’s experience is different, and you won’t know unless you try. I feel like I finally have my life back again!"

• Joj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2022

"I started taking sertraline 5 weeks ago. I have been struggling with anxiety for 4 years, and I tried everything to control it because I did not want to take medication. After doing my absolute best to use all of my 'tools,' I ended up burning out quite badly at work, and my anxiety skyrocketed. I spoke to my doctor, and she suggested sertraline. I am very sensitive to medication, so I filled my prescription and let it sit in my cabinet for a few weeks before taking it. I started with 25 mg for 2 weeks, then increased to 50 mg. The only side effects I had were insomnia (which has resolved), and for one day I was shaky and nauseated. I am already feeling better after 5 weeks, and I’m back to work and feeling well. My anxiety has significantly decreased, and my mind has settled. I don’t have racing thoughts anymore, and I am less irritable. I highly recommend this medication."

• Sha...
• August 29, 2019

"I've been on Sertraline for almost 4 weeks now. My doctor prescribed me 50mg to start off with. The first week was absolutely the worst. I had so many horrible thoughts, and I'd doubt literally everything. I was too scared to be alone with my thoughts, and I basically begged my friend to stay with me in the house so I wouldn't be by myself. I'd always wake up at around 5-6 am, shaking like crazy with my heart pounding, and I felt so uncomfortable. Skip forward a week, and I started to feel better. I wasn't having anxiety attacks anymore, but I was still shaky and sweaty. I'm coming to the end of my prescription for 50mg, and honestly, after that first week, I've never been better. No anxiety attacks, no horrible thoughts about my relationships, no thinking of every bad thing imaginable. Just being happy and having a nice time. This drug is definitely worth it, the first week or so will be hard, but it has an amazing effect once your body gets used to it."

• byt...
• November 21, 2019

"I'm 39 and suffer from GAD, which I can generally control with sufficient sleep, exercise, and eating a clean diet. My mom died of cancer, which hit me harder than I had thought it would. A week and a half later, my heart went into AFib, and that broke the camel's back. I started a fast downward spiral of anxiety and a number of symptoms that accompany panic attacks for me (including unsteadiness, lightheadedness, and racing heart). My GP prescribed sertraline at a starting dose of 12.5 mg for 1 week, 25 mg for 1 week, and then settled in at 50 mg for 3 months. I'm on the last day of 25 mg, and I don't feel perfect, but I feel SO MUCH better. It's only been two weeks. My primary side effects include additional unsteadiness, evening sleepiness that turns into nighttime insomnia, and some loss of sex drive. Worth it to end the downward spiral I was on, and I find most symptoms clear up after about a week or so at each new dose."

• Doo...
• March 24, 2019

"I took sertraline with much success for 12 years for depression and anxiety after a nervous breakdown. I did not experience sexual dysfunction or weight gain. I did experience diarrhea and lightheadedness for about a week. (Sucks because the lightheadedness is what I am trying to fix!) It helped a great deal in the past, better than any SSRI I have tried. I came off of the medication, and I didn't realize how much it was helping my anxiety until I attempted to return to work. I suffered migraines for six weeks straight, and the anxiety attacks returned. My attacks are so extreme that my speech becomes slurred and jumbled. It is a week later, and I am still experiencing the being-on-a-boat feeling. I have seen my doctor, and he has told me I have Jan 4, 2018 - Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), for all of these conditions, including migraines, Sertraline is the go-to for treatment. I will begin taking 50mg again and up as needed. I know this medication works for me."

• Cli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2021

"I have been suffering with anxiety for the past 6 weeks. I have taken sertraline a few years ago, so I thought I would try it again. It is now 10 days in, and I must admit I am not feeling good. Tummy pains, nausea, and headache. I am going to stick it out, and reading the reviews really helps. Keep looking at the calendar and really hoping it won’t be long before feeling normal again. It is now 4 weeks taking sertraline. I definitely felt a little better the past 5 days, however, today. Terrible upset tummy and anxiety. Just hoping it is a blimp and tomorrow will be a better day."