Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2021

Sertraline "Been on 25 mg of Zoloft for four weeks, upped it to 50 mg. Felt like I was on an amphetamine. Tried 37.5 mg, and I still feel revved up in my brain. Can’t handle this drug. Some people don’t always respond well, even though the psych nurse tells me Zoloft does not create this reaction. I say everybody is different in brain chemistry."

• EM9...
• April 5, 2016

Sertraline "I'd been taking Prozac for a few years, but its effects wore off, so I switched to this. I'm very glad I did. It completely got rid of my panic attacks and obsessive worries, and reminded me how good life can be without them. I still feel sluggish, but I always have, even before I started SSRIs. The most noticeable side effects have been weight gain and erectile dysfunction. I'm going to try nefazodone and see if that works for me without the side effects. But if you don't have these side effects or they're not a big deal, I highly recommend Zoloft."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2022

Sertraline "Was on this drug in conjunction with lamotrigine for a few years as a teenager for MDD/BPD/GAD. It got rid of my sex drive, made me feel more depressed, and I slept a lot of the day away. Wasn’t for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2016

Sertraline "Overall, a very good medication. It made me very drowsy when I first started on it, but this passed after a couple of weeks. It did a good job of keeping me stable. I would have loved to stay on it, except I ended up developing severe urinary retention that got worse as my dose increased. (By severe, I mean I was unable to sleep at night because I had to get up and pee every 5 mins, and almost nothing would come out.) After I went off it, the urinary retention gradually went away and is now completely gone. Aside from that, I got no noticeable side effects from it. I would definitely recommend this med, as urinary retention is a more rare side effect, and I probably only experienced it because I am known to be sensitive to meds."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2021

Sertraline "I’ve had intense anxiety and depression for 3 years. I put off ever taking meds because I was scared of the side effects. Then I hit rock bottom and realized I couldn’t live another day how I was. Long story short, I began Zoloft. The first week was dark. Physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually dark. Then, on day 11, I woke up completely content. I talked to my family, laughed, hugged. Each day seemed to get 10% better than the day before. It was overwhelmingly good. My thoughts were clear. When anxious and dark thoughts or even days arise, which they inevitably do, I am able to move on. They don’t spiral and debilitate me. 3 weeks on and I am calm. Content. Happy. I socialize?! I feel like me again. I look back on the last 3 years and I truly didn’t realize how anxious and sad I was. It controlled my every move. Now, I feel as though I am the one in control of my life. I am so, so deeply grateful for this."

• Koa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2014

Sertraline "Zoloft is a very good medication for anxiety and depression. For me, better with anxiety. I am bipolar I, am also on Zyban 150 a day. Taking these two medications together is fine, as is also taking when you are bipolar. Only with a specialist's direction, though. I have been on Zoloft a couple of times, the only side effect before was severe diarrhea. This time when I started taking it, I got butterflies in my stomach and flutters, but over time, this unusual for me side effect left me. Some say how many weeks to feel an impact. For me, this last time was around 6 weeks. Which is normal. It's been proven that any time prior to 4 weeks is most likely a placebo effect. But if you feel better, well, whether a placebo effect or not, it's good."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2024

Sertraline "I started taking Zoloft for depression/anxiety. Pros: I was less irritable and angry. I felt slightly happier and more relaxed overall. Cons: It killed my sex drive (mostly the ability to orgasm) despite pairing it with Wellbutrin. It made me have bloating/indigestion more regularly and made me hot and sweat much more than normal. I gave the medication ample time to work, but for me personally, the side effects outweighed the benefits. I do think this may work for some people. Unless the side effects are severe, I'd say just be sure to give the medication 2-3 months to even out before making up your mind."

• Big...
• March 4, 2017

Sertraline "Developed deep depression. Resisted drugs for a while. GP recommended Zoloft. First four weeks were hell, then it has been excellent. The best I have felt for years. In Australia, so drug very cheap: $13 dollars for a month."

• trl...
• November 8, 2023

Sertraline "After a few years of extreme anxiety, I went into 15 years of 'fog'. I didn't really feel sad, I just felt empty/dead and like my mind was constantly blank. I could never interact with people because of that, it was just like nothing was ever coming to my mind. Got a lot of my confidence back. Looking forward to social interactions I'd do anything to avoid. Memory is also drastically improved and so are my grades at school. Looking forward to tests (like I used to long ago) and exams causes little stress. I'm gonna need some time getting to know the new me and getting my life on track, but to finally see the light after an indescribable battle is simply life-changing. Started at 25 mg, 50 mg made me worse, felt fatigued, upped it to 100 mg, instantly better, 150 mg first noticeable improvement, then 200 mg. 200 mg felt better and better for the 4 months I've been taking it. I'll leave one point for the chance it becomes even better."

• Kfr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 23, 2016

Sertraline "I've been on Zoloft for about a year, at 25 mg. But I've recently developed panic disorder and can't seem to handle the side effects of going up. I believe I'm not even at the optimal dose yet. My doc prescribed me Effexor XR, and I'm on day one of taking that, and I feel completely emotionless. I'm going back to Zoloft tomorrow because initially it worked for depression and anxiety. Everyone is different, but I've tried citalopram, escitalopram, and now Effexor, and they all make me feel numb and like a zombie. Zoloft all the way. My doc won't prescribe me benzos, and I feel that Zoloft will be great with Xanax! Going back to the doctors next week to tell them to shove the Effexor, and I'm staying on Zoloft."

• Psy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 16, 2017

Sertraline "Zoloft is a fantastic AD. It gave me motivation and helped me get back out there into my life. It didn't work that well for anxiety, but your mileage may vary. Even switching up as little as 50 mg would bring back the 'punch' if it 'pooped out.' Highly recommend."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2019

"If you are here reading these reviews on sertraline, it is because you're in my shoes 2 months ago. I suffer from panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and major depression. I started taking a small dose of sertraline 2 months ago, and it made me extremely sick. Fast forward 2 months, and I’m so much better. I didn’t give a 10 because I’m still not 100%, but I am 95% better!!! Sertraline saved my life, you need to GIVE IT TIME TO WORK and work towards the maximum dose. I’m still not at the maximum dose, and I feel like once I’m there, I’ll be 100% better. This was worth all the sickness I went through: insomnia, nausea, loss of interest in EVERYTHING, shakes, headaches, you name it, this will cause it in the beginning, but PLEASE STAY ON IT. It works but takes time. I got clonazepam from my doctor to help along the way, but NEVER take clonazepam for more than 2 a week, or you will be reliant, and you don’t want that!! I feel for everyone in this review board."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

"I'm on this for MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Sertraline has genuinely made a world of difference. I've been struggling with my mental health for years now and have been constantly up and down. I've always avoided going on medication as I didn't want to be dependent on a drug. Been on it three months now, and it has really stopped my world from spiraling again. It has made me realize that when nothing else works (counseling, mindfulness, diet & exercise, etc.) and you need help from an antidepressant, it is totally worth taking it, rather than not being in control of your mind and life. Now that I'm taking it, I wish that I had started years ago instead of avoiding it."

• Jaw...
• July 30, 2017

Sertraline "I was on this medication previously, and after a week, gave up hope and stopped taking it. Recently, my anxiety became out of control, as did my depression. I literally had no hope left. I felt sad, lonely, out of focus, irritable, suicidal, and hopeless. I would wake up having panic attacks and go to sleep having panic attacks. I started researching ways to off myself and came very close. I decided to finally seek help, and while awaiting my referral to see a psychiatrist, my doctor gave me this medication. I am taking 100 mg once a day. It took a week of the medicine to feel the full effects, but I feel happy again, focused, grounded, and way less anxious. I find myself laughing more, joking, smiling, and not constantly anxious."

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2019

Sertraline "I started on 50 mg of sertraline for two weeks and had nausea and a dull headache as side effects. I am now on 100 mg and have been on the 100 for two weeks, and I can honestly say I feel dreadful. Nausea, fatigue, and no motivation. The doctor would like to try me on venlafaxine, but I have heard that these are even worse. Don’t know what to do."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2021

"I started taking sertraline at the beginning of June this year. For 2 years, I never left the house. I was agoraphobic, so severely depressed that I forgot what joy even felt like, and I was beginning to believe that suicide was a genuine option in my future. I’d have panic attacks so intense I thought I was dying. It’s now 2 months later, and I cannot believe I’m able to say I haven’t had any of the above symptoms since. Before, I only had moments of “happiness” when eating. I binged on food every day and gained over 100 lbs because it was literally the only thing that made me feel any type of emotion other than anger and doom. Now, just 60 days later, I don’t even think about food that much because I don’t need that mood boost I would get from eating. I’m no longer scared to leave the house, I haven’t had a single panic attack, and I’m genuinely excited for life. I’ve never been more grateful."

• AlB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2023

Sertraline "I've been on Zoloft for four months and would come and read the reviews nearly every day to hold onto hope that I would eventually feel better. I was on Seroquel for more than 15 years for sleep and anxiety, but I believe the side effects and long-term effects aren't worth staying on that drug (unless you actually have a mood disorder, which I don't) and was able to eventually wean off completely. I also came off because my anxiety was so bad I had severe insomnia, even on 30mg of Seroquel, and I was beginning to have anxiety attacks that would last all day every day. I'm glad I trusted myself to change doctors, come look at these reviews, and find someone who would treat me appropriately."

• sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

Sertraline "I suffer from major depression, GAD, and ADHD and was given Zoloft for my worsening depression and anxiety on top of Wellbutrin and lamotrigine. I began experiencing a lot of gas and digestive issues, but that was a minor thing. Never before have I reacted so negatively to a medication. I was already depressed, but usually it was more up and down. This just made me feel very dissociated and completely dead inside. I have cut very occasionally and impulsively, but on this, I was compulsively injuring myself with anything I could for hours just to feel something. Was extremely traumatic. I didn’t react well to Prozac when I took it years ago either. I’m going to stay away from SSRIs. Please be careful! Antidepressants can be amazing, and I don’t mean to discourage anyone from getting help. My experience isn’t everyone’s, but nonetheless, they should definitely be taken seriously. The casual way in which they are prescribed nowadays can make it easy to forget that."

• mir...
• May 6, 2016

Sertraline "Zoloft has been hard for me. At first, it was okay (besides the side effects, those were brutal), but now that I've been on it for almost 2 years, I'm starting to forget things and my mindset is never balanced. Some days are okay, but some days I'm panicky, shaky, can't remember much even if it happened less than a minute ago, and my depression starts back up. I really don't want to move on to another medication because the withdrawals of this medication are as brutal as the side effects, but I feel like Zoloft isn't a long-term drug for me."

• Stu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2015

Sertraline "Has helped enough that I still take it. A word of warning though, you may experience incontinence soon after (that lovely 'd' word). In my case, it only takes about 5 minutes before nature comes calling! Up until recently, I attributed it to the coffee I have every morning with my breakfast, as caffeine is apparently a common cause. Then I spoke to a friend who'd stopped taking Zoloft because of this side effect, and it suddenly dawned on me. So I tested it. Had my usual breakfast and coffee, this time without the meds. Half an hour went by, no complaints down below. Took the Zoloft and sure enough, 4 or 5 minutes later, off to the toilet again. It's not a huge problem for me since it's predictable, only happens in the morning, and the drug does help depression-wise, but some people may not feel the same way (no pun intended). Interestingly, I take the same dose again in the evening with no side effect, so I suspect the morning combination with coffee may play a part."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2017

Sertraline "Week 1 and 2 was hell. Week 3 and 4 was a bit better, but still hell. I could not function really, and I was thinking about death, along with some insomnia. No appetite, and I lost 15 lbs. At the beginning of Week 5, I felt the transition in a few hours. I put on the pants, went outside, and bought a burger. I was just OK with being, and I felt a transformation. I also started Bupropion for smoking a few days ago."

• Kil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2018

Sertraline "Triggered depersonalization, blank mind, and anhedonia, which I didn't have prior to Zoloft. At first, I felt good, even too good, which I can now consider hypermania (lack of need to sleep, running around the house, insisting that I'm an art piece). Two weeks later, not feeling myself, as if my head is filled with cotton, the world appears different, and I can't feel anything towards my GF. I wish I had never touched this full apathy inducer of a pill. Later on, I found that I have a short/short version of the 'serotonin transporter gene,' AKA SLC6A4 or 5-HTTLPR, which is known to cause more side effects with SSRIs and SNRIs. Beware."

• Ots...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2019

Sertraline "This is the best antidepressant I’ve been on. I wouldn’t consider it a miracle drug, but it did make me feel happier and a little less anxious than normal. The best thing about Zoloft was that it greatly decreased my anger and irritability. My diagnoses are Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, and ASD. Due to being in a bad situation, I was taken off of Zoloft about 5 years ago. In the almost 2 years that I took it, I would still feel down occasionally, but I never came close to being readmitted to the psychiatric hospital. I will probably look into getting back on it soon."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2020

"The first couple of days on sertraline, I could not keep food down and actually threw up a couple of times. My stomach was upset with diarrhea, but after a week these faded and I had energy again. I started talking rather than the way I mumbled and always wanted to be active and positive. This medicine saved my life because before it I was always on edge and suicidal thoughts ran through my head no matter how good my day was going. Once you get through the side effects, you will love life again. If the side effects continue, call your doctor because everyone reacts differently to it."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2023

"I started this medication as soon as possible after learning it would help my depression and dementia symptoms. I was thrilled to know how my life could potentially change for the better after starting sertraline. But I was wrong. I felt so much worse and even more mentally sick and demented than I was before starting any medication. The science is there proving sertraline works, but the medicine doesn't help everyone the same way. Be vigilant. Talk to your doctor about any side effects, worsening symptoms, and other medication options if you are at your wit's end like I was. I still haven't found the right medication for me, and unfortunately, I am still suffering daily with ongoing dementia and depression."