Sertraline and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2022

Sertraline for Postpartum Depression "With my second child, I started experiencing severe anxiety about the three-week mark postpartum. At first, I thought it was the baby blues, but quickly realized something was wrong. I didn't feel like this after the birth of my first child. The anxiety got more and more intense, and then the depression kicked in. I wasn't sleeping, and I felt like I regretted my decision to have a second child. I wasn't bonding with her, and I felt like I just needed to disappear and escape. It was a very scary feeling. I immediately called the doctor around 4 weeks postpartum after staying awake for 48 hours, unable to sleep (even though the baby was sleeping). She prescribed me 50 mg of Zoloft immediately. The first week, the anxiety was more intense (but that's common). By week 3, I felt almost normal again, and by week 6, I felt like myself. I started bonding with my baby (now 5 months and obsessed with her). This medication saved me. Please don't hesitate/wait. You will be okay and feel like you again."

• AnS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I started taking this drug to battle mild depression. 50 mg a day. Pros: 1) more energy than usual. I go to the gym more than I used to (losing weight). I go the 'extra mile' at work, I got a promotion (financial industry/hedge funds). 2) depression started to fade. Cons: 1) the doctor told me to take it before bed. Insomnia was so severe I switched to morning. 2) no desire for sex. 3) I started to feel numb, not literally. Stuff I care about, I no longer do. This is where the depression starts to fade (partly). Hard to explain this one... 4) I'm alienating myself from friends. I like spending time alone, but I'm spending even more so now. 5) I have to take Ativan before bed from time to time due to extra energy."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2019

Sertraline for Depression "I've been on sertraline generic for 2 weeks today, 50 mg first thing in the morning. I am on the UK brand name version, Lustral. For pretty much the first week, I slept fine on these, but then things started to change. On day 6, I felt really high and paranoid, but later euphoric. However, I have not experienced that same euphoria since. At the start of week 2, I noticed that they started making me feel drowsy for the first few hours after taking, and I find myself having to go back to sleep for a few hours in the morning. But when 11 pm comes, I don't feel tired. Yet I regularly wake now at 5:30 am. So I tried taking them an hour before bed instead, but then had an awful night's sleep. So I went back to taking them in the morning. Mentally, I feel bland, flat, emotionless, drained, and like I don't want to go anywhere because I'm so tired. Also, my social anxiety is worse because of these effects, and yesterday I started to feel a lot lower."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2024

For Anxiety and Stress "Started sertraline in April on 50 mg, moved my way up to 200 mg now. Was on Prozac for a year before it stopped working, and I’ve had a long tough journey up to now, but would say it was worth the tough journey. I went through all the side effects as others have mentioned. My depression got worse as I was taking the tablets, I couldn’t sleep properly. Felt like I wasn’t with it. I seemed to be in another world at one time, but things seem to be getting better. It’s working, but you don’t realize it is, so you must keep on trying and don’t give up."

• sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2014

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I was very hesitant at the start to try medications and thought I'll battle through with the help of therapy. Three months later, I gave in for medication. Couldn't get through a day without my anxiety being an obstacle. Was prescribed Zoloft for the first time at 25 mg. For the first week, things were fine, just the usual upset stomach and dry mouth, nothing I couldn't handle, but surprisingly it made me depressed (never was), but anxiety DID settle a little (hence 5/10). Then was pushed up to 50 mg... the upset stomach stopped, the dry mouth decreased, but restlessness and insomnia kicked in, including the zombie feeling. This went on for over two weeks, but had to stop, it was affecting my work. Withdrawal symptoms, depression."

• vvi...
• May 25, 2009

Sertraline for Depression "I was taking 50mg of Zoloft a day for two months, and it made me even more irritable and down. I didn't want to do anything. When I did force myself to go out and socialize, I'd snap at people. Nothing was fun. Nothing seemed to be worth doing. I've tried both Lexapro and Zoloft. Neither have made me feel any better. I got worse on both. I don't always want to feel depressed, but at least off of medication, I have the ability to hide my feelings from people, not to place other people under the weight of my moods, but on those two medications, I didn't even feel like I had the power to fake it. Zoloft also gave me migraines, ones that would last for a week straight. Glad it works for some people though."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2020

Sertraline for Postpartum Depression "I was on Zoloft before I got pregnant because it was the only drug that worked for my anxiety without making me feel like a zombie that wasn't able to orgasm. After I gave birth, I was smacked in the face with intense anxiety with horrible physical symptoms. My OB got me right back on my script of Zoloft, and within two weeks I no longer feel paralyzed. I still have some depressive symptoms (lack of interest in hobbies, etc.), but the anxiety has all but vanished. Zoloft has saved me from postpartum anxiety without taking anything else away from me, like my sex drive."

• Hap...
• March 22, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I had been suffering with anxiety for a better part of my life, but never had it gotten as bad as it was in the last 2 years. I would have intense panic attacks and was afraid to socialize. This, in turn, led me to become depressed. The first drug I was put on was fluoxetine. This drug was not compatible with me at all. My anxiety became 10 times worse. I would wake up in the middle of the night and have hour-long panic attacks, could barely eat. I genuinely thought I was going to die on this drug, and I even became suicidal. I told my psychiatrist and was put on sertraline 50 mg. Within the first week, I could feel a significant difference. Way happier, anxiety decreased significantly, and more motivated. I began to feel like myself again!!"

• hol...
• August 25, 2020

For Dissociative Identity Disorder "I’ve been dealing with depression/depersonalization for about 4-5 years now. I had been to a doctor before about it and was prescribed Wellbutrin, which helped, but I eventually stopped. It wasn’t until about 2 years later that I started seeing a different doctor and was prescribed Zoloft. To start off, I never had any bad side effects such as suicidal thoughts/depression, which is a great thing to start. As weeks/months went by, I eventually started to feel a lot better and more like myself. It helps me not overthink so much and, in a sense, helps me from obsessing over bad thoughts and the OCD that I deal with. All the symptoms I dealt with before slowly went away almost completely, although I still feel off sometimes. This medication is great, and Adderall as well helps me control my thoughts and feel a lot better. I recommend this medication a lot!"

• Rya...
• February 6, 2017

Sertraline for Depression "I took Zoloft consistently for about three months, and it was the hardest three months of my life. It made my depression significantly worse. I thought if I stuck with it for a while it would eventually help me, but it didn't. It did help with my anxiety, though. As soon as I stopped taking any antidepressant, my anxiety skyrocketed, and I was able to beat my depression by finding God. I hope this helps whoever is reading this. Stay strong."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2021

Sertraline for Postpartum Depression "I was terrified to start this medication, but I knew I needed it. It took me a few months to muster up the courage to take the first pill. After I had my baby, I had intense anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression, and rage. Everything would annoy me so, so much. I lived like this for months, and it was ruining my relationship with my husband. I called my doctor and said I needed help, I didn’t feel like myself. I am on 25 mg, and it took 2 months for me to feel the full effects... I was doubtful it would work at first. So glad I feel like myself again, I want to cry with happiness because I haven’t felt like this in so long. Please, if you are suffering, don’t be afraid to try this medication. I believe it saved me and my marriage."

• Tos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2015

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been taking Zoloft since September 2014. I was diagnosed with PTSD and started on 50mg. During the first month, I had a slight reduction in my anxiety and general mood, but the flashbacks continued. My dose was increased to 100mg, and I felt better with mild anxiety and no emotions. I can be happy but not sad. Anxiety continued and some flashbacks. My doctor increased my dose to 150mg, and I have been well for the last couple of months, until last week when a combination of work and family issues pushed me over the edge once again. I had weekly psychologist visits for the first two months. I started today on 200mg daily. I think Zoloft works very well for me, but my trauma plays out in my dreams most nights."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2019

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I have pros and cons with Zoloft. I suffer from MDD, panic disorder, and bipolar. I noticed my anxiety moments are not that intense as they used to be, and I don’t dwell on my thoughts as much, which is a plus. I don’t feel my anxiety deep in my gut like I used to. Some cons are my sex drive is almost completely gone. I usually don’t even like to be touched, I’d rather be left alone. My agitation is almost always at an all-time high. I also really have no motivation to get out and do things, I’d rather be inside hiding away. I necessarily don’t feel happy or sad, I just feel “blah.” As of right now, I’m on 100 mg, I just don’t feel like it’s helping me the way I’m wanting it to. At this point, I’m really wanting to wean off. I don’t feel “happy.” I feel like I’m just here, and it’s the worst feeling ever."

• ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2020

For Depression "My doctor prescribed me 50 mg sertraline (Zoloft). He warned that for the first 2 weeks or so, I would feel worse, but then I would start to feel better. Just as he said, I felt so immensely depressed the first 2 weeks. It was working after a while, I felt slightly better but still very depressed. Went up to 100 mg a day. First 2 weeks again, worse than the last. But I survived and finally went up to 150 mg after a few months. That adjustment and first 2 weeks were the absolute worst of all. I cut, and I was suicidal again, just from the increase in dosage. But I pulled through. I don't even know how long I've been on it, but it's worked so well for me. If you can get past the first few weeks of adjustment, you'll feel so much better."

• Dan...
• December 4, 2014

For Depression "This medication works great for depression, even at lower doses (50 mg). It generally makes you happier, but only after a few weeks. In the first week, it may make you more depressed (and anxious). It started working in the third week for (moderate) depression."

• B-t...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2019

For Depression "I’ve been dealing with depression for around 3 to 4 years. Until recently, it was manageable, but then in August 2018, I developed a pretty crippling anxiety disorder (health anxiety). I was suffering from panic attacks daily, convinced there was something wrong with my heart. I went to the doctors, and they suggested sertraline and I said yes. Since the first day I took it, I haven’t had a panic attack since! I notice I was thinking a lot clearer and not letting my thoughts spiral out of control. However, around week 5, I noticed a huge dip in my mood, and I felt so depressed I almost quit altogether, but I’m so happy I didn’t! Now at week 8, I’m feeling so much better. Happiness is slowly coming back into my life. Stick with sertraline, it takes a while to start working properly."

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

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "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."

• Lov...
• January 21, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft got rid of my anxiety (I have general anxiety) at 50 mg. At 75 mg, my tics started improving greatly (lessening). Unfortunately, though, Zoloft made me more depressed, in an apathetic way. I suspect it's the decrease in dopamine due to raising my serotonin. Dr. is adding Wellbutrin. Maybe I'll get my sex drive back too (which Zoloft also squashed). Overall, for anxiety, it works very well for me."

• Lov...
• January 21, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft got rid of my anxiety (I have general anxiety) at 50 mg. At 75 mg, my tics started improving greatly (lessening). Unfortunately, though, Zoloft made me more depressed, in an apathetic way. I suspect it's the decrease in dopamine due to raising my serotonin. Dr. is adding Wellbutrin. Maybe I'll get my sex drive back too (which Zoloft also squashed). Overall, for anxiety, it works very well for me."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I started taking Zoloft in October of 2011. Although it has helped me tremendously with anxiety, depression, and severe mood swings, it makes me very tired and withdrawn. I've gained 20 lbs since October 2011! I haven't seen a lot of reviews with this type of side effect for Zoloft, but I know I'm not overeating to that degree. I've gained 3 lbs since my doctor visit last week. My doctor lowered the dosage by 1/2. But needless to say, the weight gain is more depressing than anything."

• Syd...
• July 12, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have struggled with depression since I was a teenager and always assumed it would go away on its own. After someone close to me passed, I hit rock bottom. I was depressed, anxious, couldn't sleep, etc. I talked to my doctor, and he prescribed this for my depression and anxiety. Besides making me apathetic, I have been surprisingly happy. This pill is amazing, I have not been this genuinely happy in a long time."

• sup...
• November 16, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I've only been on 50 mg Zoloft for about a week, and I feel like I'm in a way better mood at times and haven't felt as depressed as I was before taking it. However, I've lost a lot of sleep because of it, lost my appetite, getting confused at times, and absolutely no libido even if I tried. At times, I feel like a complete zombie, and it gets difficult trying to work because I feel so numb. I also feel a lot slower mentally, but that may be because of lack of sleep. Before Zoloft, I was having a suicidal thought every other day and cutting myself almost every day, and now off Zoloft, I am NOT thinking of hurting myself, and 1 suicidal thought in a week. I've been a lot happier on this medication."

• Ash...
• July 27, 2019

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I’ve taken Zoloft for 3 years. I’ve been taking 100 mg a day, and I can tell you it helped me so much with my anxiety. However, if you choose to take this medication, it will 100% deplete your sex drive. Like, to the point where the thought of sex makes you cringe. I’m a 29-year-old female, and I feel like I’m an 80-year-old woman with no libido, lol. Being in a relationship, this will create major problems. The withdrawal effects if you miss days are also pretty gnarly: vertigo, anger, sadness, etc. But if you’re on top of your refills and taking them on time, you won’t experience those effects. I would continue taking this if it wasn’t for what it did to my sex drive. For everything else, it worked great. I discontinued Zoloft today, and I just started on Wellbutrin since that medication is supposed to help with libido, but we’ll see."

• NEV...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 17, 2021

Sertraline for Depression "One of the worst, if not THE worst, experiences of my life was taking that drug and slowly losing my mind after an initial period of having it make me feel better. It has been almost two years since quitting, and I still have not fully recovered, though things are much smoother. My motivation for life has been wrecked. Total time taking drugs (all prescription psych meds) is at least 10 to 15 years. They might make the clouds roll away and make you feel so much better for a while, perhaps years, but they have the very real possibility of destroying your life. If you are considering using Zoloft, PLEASE Google 'antidepressants ruined my life' and enter the dark world of people whose lives have been destroyed by these drugs. Psych meds promise relief, but using them is playing Russian roulette with your brain, and you may be one of the people who are going to wish you had never touched them. The experience has been a mental and emotional nightmare unlike anything I've ever been through."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

Sertraline for Depression "Taking Zoloft was one of the worst experiences I have had in my life. I was going through a major upheaval in my life (a partnership of 20 years ending, selling my business and house, and surviving a stroke) all within about a 4-month time frame. I was prescribed Zoloft to help me during the deep depression I found myself in. I started on 25 mg and gradually went up to 100 mg daily. Once at that dose, major panic and anxiety set in along with deeper depression, insomnia, and GI/digestive issues. I decided I had had enough and have been slowly weaning myself off (under my health practitioner's supervision). Today is my first day completely off of it, and although I realize I am in the early stages, I can't explain how much better and in control I feel. I anticipate the next 2 weeks will be challenging, but it will be well worth any discomfort. I can finally function and communicate and feel so much more 'normal' and positive. Please do not attempt to quit this nasty drug cold turkey."