Sertraline and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Aln...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "3rd time on Sertraline, for Anxiety & 'Pure' OCD issues. I checked this website often for reassurance so it is fair I contributed. This time I had the worst reaction. Started off 50mg - the first 2 weeks were a nightmare. Awful, deep anxiety/panic took over my mind. Extremely low moods, restlessness, feeling hopeless, and not being able to distract from my negative thoughts were the worst mental side effects. After 2 weeks the worst of the mental side effects had subsided. The following 4 weeks were low, but at 6 weeks I saw an improvement. Increased to 100mg at week 7 and fell slightly back again for a while. At around 12 weeks I started feeling the full effects. Approaching the end of week 16 now and I cannot believe how much more normal I feel! Anxiety has completely gone. OCD thinking is still there but residual. Persevere and know that medication takes time to work. Regardless of what your MH problem is, NEVER give up - help and hope is there!"

• Kee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I want others to know the importance of pushing through the beginning, even when you think you can’t. I thought I was too far gone and that I was destined for a lifetime of anxiety, panic, and OCD. The first 2 months are tough. Every dosage increase is another bump in the road. HOLD ON. It takes time, but this medication WORKS. I had awful OCD, anxiety, self-doubt, and low self-worth. After a low point and a job failure, every day was spent inside my head obsessing about past mistakes, worrying about the future, completely stuck in rumination and unable to live in the moment. When starting sertraline, it is hard, things do get worse before they get better. But things will improve, one day at a time. After 3 months, I am 90% back to myself. I still have fleeting moments, however, they do pass quickly with no sticking or obsessing. For anyone struggling, please believe in yourself. You would be very surprised how many others are going through a similar situation. Trust the process."

• Pyr...
• January 8, 2020

For Depression "Sertraline has changed my life for the better. It was a living nightmare getting through the first 8 weeks of side effects. I almost gave up several times, they were so bad. I experienced explosive diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, overeating, extreme tiredness, insomnia, loss of sex drive, inability to orgasm, loss of all emotion, and severe anxiety. I had to take time off work to deal with the physical and emotional side effects of this drug. I also had to have someone come and stay with me. Despite the terrible side effects, it has made me feel like myself for the first time in 10 years. Thanks to this drug, the negative thoughts in my head are locked away in a dungeon somewhere, and crying no longer rules my life. I feel happy, strong, confident, motivated, and finally at peace with myself. I know this drug is not for everyone, but it works for me, and if I can encourage anyone to just buckle down through the side effects...you'll make it to the other side."

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• a...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been following these comments for a couple of months, they helped me so much. I had to write in about my experience with Zoloft 50mg for panic and anxiety. First, you have to stick with it for 8 weeks minimum. I had terrible side effects for 4 weeks, increased panic and anxiety, and insomnia. I also lost 10 lbs and felt like my metabolism increased. At just about 4 weeks, side effects were gone. At 8 weeks, I feel so relaxed and panic-free. It is AMAZING, wow. This is what you are supposed to feel like! If you have a stressful job like me, I don't have time for anxiety and panic. I am also doing talk therapy and meditation. I sleep great. I do use medicinal herb for sleep every night. I am completely off of benzos!"

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2015

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I've been on sertraline for just over 7 weeks. I started out on 25mg, then 50mg, and then worked my way up to 100mg. I had every side effect going, but I did not give up. I suffered from severe anxiety, could not leave the house, and my husband had to take time off work to look after me. But now, I am nearly back to my old self, going out. If you are just starting out on sertraline, please please give it time to work and hold on in there. It will get better."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "I recently suffered crippling panic attacks and anxiety to the point where I couldn’t leave the house. After months of going into a downward spiral, I asked my doctor to put me on sertraline. I knew to expect some side effects, and oh my goodness, nothing could have prepared me for the first two weeks on this medication. I experienced every single side effect: nausea, low appetite, insomnia (still have that now!), tingling, worse anxiety, sweating profusely, trembling/shaking, and peeing all the time. I felt awful, at one point, I wanted to stop, but reading the reviews on here kept me going. I’m so glad I stuck it out, and now I am 6 weeks in, and most of the side effects have gone (only insomnia remains, and it’s mild!), and I feel back to my old self on 50mg. I am so relaxed and happy every day, and what used to worry me doesn’t anymore. I would say to anyone suffering through the first two horrendous weeks to stick it out, IT DOES GET BETTER!"

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• RBa...
• February 10, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "So here goes... I started taking 50mg of sertraline exactly 1 month ago today for the treatment of anxiety and stress. I’d wake up during the night sweating, trembling, and feeling totally out of control with panic. My GP advised me to start at the 50mg dose! The side effects were horrible! Insomnia, trembling, dry mouth, and increased anxiety! I pushed through the first few weeks and it totally paid off! I’m about 75% back to my normal self after 1 month. Please give it a chance."

• Vic...
• July 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm on 50mg of sertraline for panic anxiety & low episodes. The first 2 weeks were horrific. I suffered badly with side effects - increased anxiety, foggy, loss of appetite, struggled to leave the house. However, by the end of the 2nd week, things started to improve. Hang in there! Over the next 10 weeks, each week I was gradually getting a little better. Recovery is not linear, so expect to be up & down & do not be too hard on yourself. By week 12, I’d say my anxiety had 95% gone, but I was left with periods of low mood. The doctor suggested I try upping to 100mg. I’ve been taking 100mg for just over 2 weeks now. There was fogginess again & a slight increase in anxiety, which was hard, but at the end of the 2 weeks, the fog lifted & I’d say I am feeling better. The increase in dose was totally what I needed. It’s been 14 weeks now, and I am a different person to where I was at the start. I still get waves of uncomfortable emotions, but find meditation, exercise, sleep, & a good diet help massively!"

• Dyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2023

Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress "Unlike a lot of people on here, I was lucky enough to avoid having really any anxiety at all up until about 5 months ago when I suddenly started suffering from the worst health anxiety you can imagine. Every single day for 3-4 months was miserable, all I did was think about my health and check my heart rate and Google my symptoms nonstop. I started Zoloft at the start of April, and let me tell you the first few weeks were hell. Headaches, nausea, increased anxiety, you name it. I read these reviews every single day, only focusing on the ones with positive reviews, and just reading everyone say it eventually gets better was what kept me taking the medicine, or else I would have stopped, but I’m so glad I didn’t. I’m now on about week 7, and I feel better than I have in the last 6 months, most days, my anxiety doesn’t even cross my mind now (and I’m on a very low dose of 50mg). You got this!"

• Ivy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Sertraline is life-changing. I took this in 2017-2018 for postnatal anxiety. In a constant state of panic, I wasn’t sleeping, vomiting, having really irrational and powerful thoughts, very teary, and thought my partner would leave me. In September 2019, I had a breakdown following my mum's death. It started with anxiety which I couldn’t shake, and before I knew it, I was in a constant state of panic. I didn’t eat, was gagging, vomiting, and physically shaking. I couldn’t look after my daughter and was scared to be alone, sleep, and wake. I thought I had lost my mind. The first week on it was hell, although I was prepared for this. I was taking Valium and had someone with me. I started to have small breaks from panic. Then by week 3/4, I was really coming out of a dark place, mostly functioning and present in the moment, enjoying my family. On week 5, I had a bit of a wobble and upped my dose to 75mg from 50mg, and now in week 6, I am feeling 90% well. Please get help and take your medication. You do not have to suffer!"

• Zaa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve struggled with GAD for a few years and recently because of a massive change I was at my lowest point and was really struggling. My doctor prescribed me sertraline. She told me about the side effects. I was so scared because I was on this website reading a lot of negative reviews, but because I really trusted my doctor I tried the medication. I am so thankful I did. I didn’t experience any side effects except experiencing heightened anxiety for the first few weeks and I was scared that the medication wasn’t working for me. My doctor told me to hang in there and into the fourth week of taking this medication I just started to feel more like myself. It’s now been 7 weeks and I can happily say that I’m 95% like my old self. I hope this can help others out too!"

• Sed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2025

For Anxiety and Stress "I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and stress, combined with severe depression. It arrived to the point I could not function normally anymore, I could not sleep, I could not work, life was just impossible. My GP decided to put me on sertraline 50 mg, one pill per day. I had all possible side effects during the first two weeks: severe anxiety, severe insomnia, severe suicidal thoughts, loose stools... You name it, and I had it. Then, by the third week, it started to get somewhat easier, I was even able to go out a little bit. Week after week, I noticed some subtle changes, and I got better and better. But the process is definitely very slow, it took two months to get sertraline's full effects. The most important thing is that my GP insisted that I couple sertraline with full EMDR-Tapping Therapy, which has literally saved my life. My advice is to be patient, when you are at rock bottom, things can only get better, and sertraline will help you a lot."

• EMa...
• September 24, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "My OCD obsessive thoughts began when I was 14. I’m now 25. I have struggled for so long trying to feel happy, wondering why I felt everything so deeply, being so sad behind closed doors. Since lockdown and coronavirus, I hit a real low. Everything that I got enjoyment from disappeared from my life, and I hit an ‘it’s now or never’ point in regards to taking medication. I thought I was unfixable, that I would never feel content, and I spent years trying to come to terms with this. But since starting 50mg of sertraline 4 months ago, I have never felt better. I feel so calm and relaxed, genuine happiness from within, and an inability to overthink that I’ve never felt before. The thoughts remain, maybe for a few seconds until I dismiss them. Even on days I feel a little anxious, it doesn’t last long, and I have not gotten to the point of despair that I lived in before. My experience has been so worth it, and I will continue this medication for as long as I need!"

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm 44, and I've been taking sertraline 50 mg for a full 9 weeks now for severe general anxiety and panic attacks. In October, I started to suffer from periods of anxiety, which expanded to the point I was suffering 24/7 by the beginning of December, so I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, and eventually couldn't work anymore and got panic attacks. I've been taking 50 mg from the start. - Week 1-2: Side effect hell, in bed all day, morning anxiety, better in the evenings; - Week 3: Better moments started earlier (afternoon); - Week 4-8: Ups and downs, this instability seemed to last forever; hope was fading; - Week 9: Started to work again, although I was not really feeling 100%; - Now: Finally, I feel great again! Super happy the last 3 days! No 'like a switch' moment for me, but a gradual fluctuating improvement. I had read about being patient, so I was. I saw my doctor every two weeks, and as I was experiencing some positive effects, he didn't want to up the dose prematurely. Hope this helps."

• thi...
• April 30, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "Prescribed Mirtazapine for 18 months for mild depression. I started panicking and depression worsened. I became hyper-anxious. I was lucky to get a different doctor when I turned up hysterical at the surgery. He took me off Mirtazapine and moved me gradually onto sertraline. It was horrific. I couldn't eat or sleep, I paced for hours in circles. For 12 weeks, I was a suicide-focused, unstable, shaking, retching mess. I lost 2 stone. I was given a pre-set dose of diazepam and lorazepam at intervals throughout the day. My husband or mother shuttled me backwards and forwards, so I was never left alone. Gradually, we built up the dosage of sertraline to 200mg and stopped the benzos. I don't feel anxiety or depression, I feel fantastic, confident, energetic, and happy."

• Cdh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After being on Prozac and Seroxat in the past, my doctor asked me to consider sertraline for GAD and panic attacks. The first 10 days were awful: upset stomach, dry mouth, agitated on waking, worsening of panic attacks and anxiety. I was at the point of going back to my doctor when on day 11, I woke up and just felt a bit better. A week later, I was much calmer, my heart palpitations had stopped, I started to eat normally again, and 4 weeks later, I now feel significantly better and more like myself. I haven't had a panic attack for weeks, even when I was in a situation that would normally trigger one. I'm sure this medication isn't for everyone, but don't give up on it too early."

• Pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "This medicine is new for me (1 week). Yes, after 1 week, I can honestly say I can feel the effect. I've been on a few medications, but this one is for me. I feel so calm and a little less nervous. I can read in peace. Before, I felt all four sides of my head were reading a different story at the same time. I just knew I was going crazy. I can concentrate. I feel fear-free. I'm even starting to think I can drive again, but one day at a time. After three years of this and not being able to even walk from my house to the corner, I can say thank you Father for touching the hands of my doctors to choose finally a medication that works for me. I pray each day I will come closer to being me again. From where I'm sitting, the road looks clear. I'm feeling happy once again. I will stick with this for as long as it takes for me."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

Sertraline for Depression "Week three, I am feeling amazing and back to doing the things I enjoy. The first two weeks were horrible with nausea, fog, and anxiety. But I read on the link that you need to stick it out. So I did, and I’m glad. 50mg perfect dose. I no longer dwell on my situation, and I see all the positives. I noticed I find it very hard to cry. The dog across the road died, and it was heartbreaking, but I couldn’t cry. I can still think, feel, and be creative."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2018

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I am 21. I have taken this medicine for 6 months. Here’s my story. 7 months ago I was having severe anxiety, with panic attacks and some mild depression because of it. I just wanted to feel better. I read review after review because I was scared to take an antidepressant, since I wasn’t depressed, and because I’m a natural person I question everything. All I can say is try it. There will always be negative comments on any medication. This one saved me. I started on 25 mg, it wasn’t enough. It took 6 weeks to feel 100% and week 1 my anxiety was worse (didn’t know that was possible). I hope this helps you all because I was that person searching for what ifs."

• Jam...
• December 17, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Some history: I was initially prescribed 50mg of Sertraline about 7 years ago after being diagnosed with GAD & SAD. It helped me manage the anxiety. I had no side effects. Eventually I got lazy & would forget to take it for days, weeks, or months. Again no side effects. About 5 weeks ago I restarted the meds (after months off) & was fine for the first few days but started to feel EXTREMELY anxious. I was awakened in the middle of the night with feelings of deep panic which I'd never experienced before. I went to my doctor to discuss coming off the meds again but he persuaded me to continue. The next few weeks were a nightmare. I thought I was going mad and would never recover. It was only through the support of my partner & reading others' experiences here that gave me the strength to push through and have some sense of hope. Week 4 I finally started to feel mostly 'normal' again, and now in week 5 I have not experienced any of the terrible anxiety of previous weeks."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Started Zoloft 15 days ago and have been having a tough time with the ups and downs. The past two days have been bad with lots of anxiety and shaking, with lots of crying on the floor. The doctors warned me of these symptoms and encouraged me to be strong, and that it will get better with time, and to trust the process as it's balancing me out. I’m not having suicidal thoughts anymore, so that’s a relief. My appetite has surely decreased, although it seems that smoking a little marijuana helped me with that, but I would prefer not to have to smoke to eat. I should feel grateful that I’m actually feeling something again, even if it hurts, because nothing is as bad as the place I was at. I look forward to happy days again. Stay strong."

• cjb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I had been living with CRIPPLING anxiety for around 3 months after a break up. I was having horrendous physical symptoms of anxiety such as CONSTANT nausea. I felt sick all day, every day. I knew I needed help but I was simply TOO ANXIOUS to even get out of bed to go to the doctors. Now onto my experiences with the sertraline itself. I’m not going to lie. The first 2 weeks on this drug were the hardest 2 weeks of my life. One thing I would recommend is taking a few weeks off work or whatever you are doing when first starting this medication. My symptoms were worsened. Around 3 weeks later, I finally started to feel the first ounces of happiness I had felt in months. Every week and every month things got better for me. On days I feel particularly anxious I take a propranolol (a beta blocker) and an anti-sickness if I feel sick from my anxiety. I truly believe this drug saved my life. Also, the reviews helped me so much, so I'm so happy I get to write my experience months later."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2013

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Just like you, I was reading these reviews a few months ago when I finally made the decision to give medication a try. I hope this review helps and gives you comfort. I've been on 50 mg for seven weeks now. Started at 25 mg for the first seven days. The first two weeks saw a spike in anxiety, just like I figured. But I stayed with it, and I'm so glad I did. I had a pretty intense panic attack the first week, but I noticed something: I didn't stress out about having another one like I usually do. By the third week, the panic attacks and panicky feelings were pretty much gone. I've also noticed that my mood has lifted, and I can fall asleep much better at night. This is my first SSRI, and I really regret not seeking help sooner."