Sertraline and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Izz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2020

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "Zoloft literally saved my life and I wish I were exaggerating. I was in a deep depression for about 2 years, then started having manic episodes on top of erratic behavior. The first week, it felt like someone had poured cold water on my brain. I felt so relieved. For the first month or so, I was emotionally flat, but that improved with time and I no longer have that symptom. I started out on 50 mg and now moved up to 150 mg. There's no cure for depression/anxiety, and I still have episodes, but nothing compares to how I used to feel. I'll be sure to stay on this for as long as I can."

• Mii...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2025

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "First time taking it, changed my personality for the worse (did not care about shit and arrogant). Was helpful for social anxiety but made me emotionally numb. Would not recommend for a long-duration option."

• Kin...
• June 19, 2015

For Depression "19 yr old male going on 20. Had been suffering from extreme anxiety, depression, paranoia, intrusive thoughts for the best part of a year. Day-to-day life was a living hell, and I rapidly began to lose any motivation and hope I had left. Started on 50 mg, probably made things worse for the first 4 weeks, upped to 100 mg, wouldn't class it as life-changing, anxiety and thoughts are still there, but a lot less intense. Much chirpier and can finally engage in day-to-day life with a lot more ease and comfort without feeling completely messed up and hopeless. Would recommend, just hang on in there. Things do get better."

• Try...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

For Depression "Never taken any antidepressants before. Had my first panic attack about a month ago and felt very down. Had another panic attack 2 days later. Felt as low and desperately sad as I ever have in my life. Came on very suddenly. Went to the doctor and he prescribed me 50 mg of sertraline. First week was awful! Anxiety and depression even worse! Unlike a lot of you, I was terribly constipated. Sleep was disrupted but bearable. Appetite completely gone. No suicidal thoughts but felt so sad and low. However, having read all your feedback, I decided to stick with it. I am now on day 12 (I'm aware it takes a while to 'kick in') and for the first time today don't feel quite so bad. Anxiety gone... Will stick with it for now..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2019

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I took sertraline 50 mg for two months and found myself sleeping through most of the day, decreased appetite, and no motivation. I was less social as well, so not sure how my anxiety was treated by it. I cut it down to 25 mg and still found myself sleeping way too often. This wasn’t the fit for me, but when I was out of bed, my friends and family said they felt I was less anxious. I just didn’t want the anxiety to come at a price of oversleeping!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2023

Sertraline "I was given this for generalized anxiety disorder. It works for some, but for me, it was a nightmare. Forewarning people that have OCD - this will increase those thoughts times a million. Have therapy set up if you're going to take it. If you have bipolar disorder, then be sure to be on a mood stabilizer as well. Emotional numbing, couldn't focus, my anxiety was horrible, OCD thoughts extremely bad, depression, and I cried nonstop some days. Other days I was mean and angry. Also, hard to come off of it even when it's toxic to your body and you need it out of your system."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2023

Sertraline "I was given this for generalized anxiety disorder. It works for some, but for me, it was a nightmare. Forewarning people that have OCD - this will increase those thoughts times a million. Have therapy set up if you're going to take it. If you have bipolar disorder, then be sure to be on a mood stabilizer as well. Emotional numbing, couldn't focus, my anxiety was horrible, OCD thoughts extremely bad, depression, and I cried nonstop some days. Other days I was mean and angry. Also, hard to come off of it even when it's toxic to your body and you need it out of your system."

• 8an...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have suffered with OCD my whole life. Multiple checks on the door, stove, windows. It makes me feel safe, I guess. This all goes pear-shaped, though, when you start dealing with thoughts about the past or the future. Things you cannot check on so easily or have no control of - and then pure obsession sets in. My obsession became sertraline when I started on 50 mg. I was also augmenting with mirtazapine in the evenings to help me sleep. I obsessed over the reviews on here for hope. I had a relentless surge in anxiety and hopelessness with sertraline. After a month, I upped it to 100 mg and experienced more anxiety, then to 150 mg after a further 4 weeks. I didn't think it was going to work. The psychiatrist then prescribed me 50 mg quetiapine to replace mirtazapine. After the second day of quetiapine, I woke without adrenaline. I was finally free. Keep in contact with your doctors, try things, keep fighting. It does improve, and you will have your own success story to tell x."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2016

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "The drug worked in the sense that it completely numbed me, at least mentally. It also numbs you a bit from the waist down if you are on a high enough dosage - you will have little to no libido. I felt like a zombie and have never experienced this much apathy in my life. I was only on 50 mg and started to feel this way after 2-3 weeks. I continued on until 7 weeks to give my doctor the benefit of the doubt. I have never cared less about everything in my entire life - relationships, work, physical activity - I had no motivation for any of these anymore. I would come home from work and just sleep until the next day due to lack of motivation. Extremely scary, would not touch it again."

• Ken...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 29, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm 26 and had been on Zoloft for about 13 years at a low dosage for depression and social anxiety disorder. However, in August, I had it increased to the highest dosage I had ever been on. I subsequently incurred depression, suicidal states, vicious angry mania, irrational thinking, and mixed states, almost another evil personality. It turns out I was misdiagnosed with severe depression and not bipolar disorder. It's been reported that antidepressants like Zoloft can make symptoms of bipolar disorder worse. It was a very bad way to find out you're bipolar and even worse that the medication you take is causing you to be worse. It had worked for me for about 12 years, with no weight gain nor sexual side effects."

• Ken...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 29, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm 26 and had been on Zoloft for about 13 years at a low dosage for depression and social anxiety disorder. However, in August, I had it increased to the highest dosage I had ever been on. I subsequently incurred depression, suicidal states, vicious angry mania, irrational thinking, and mixed states, almost another evil personality. It turns out I was misdiagnosed with severe depression and not bipolar disorder. It's been reported that antidepressants like Zoloft can make symptoms of bipolar disorder worse. It was a very bad way to find out you're bipolar and even worse that the medication you take is causing you to be worse. It had worked for me for about 12 years, with no weight gain nor sexual side effects."

• FJW...
• September 27, 2015

Sertraline for Depression "Worst experience I've ever had on any medication. My doctor started me on a small dose. Within 30 minutes of taking it, I felt a buzzing in my head and a fuzzy, numb feeling. Then, about an hour later, the really bad side effects kicked in. My heart started racing and feeling like it was going to explode. I started hearing voices. I felt so bad I almost called 911 -- I couldn't even stand up or lay down -- just laid propped up on the couch for about 24 hours until the effects started wearing off. It was the scariest experience I've ever had and made me afraid to take any other antidepressant."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2009

Sertraline for Depression "I've been on Zoloft (generic) for about three months. I noticed an immediate difference in the way I felt. I began taking it for mild anxiety/depression. I am now starting to feel more depressed and empty again, like my body is becoming immune to it. I don't want to switch because I don't want to go through another medication. Zoloft, though, in general, has helped incredibly within the last three months -- my boyfriend and I don't fight, I don't get snappy on people, and I feel so much better about going out and doing things. I am more productive now than I ever was. I just don't want my body to become used to it because I love the way it felt to feel okay."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2023

For Depression "Omg, you guys! I started off on 25 mg. It was rough for two to three weeks, but after that, the anxiety, stress, depression, and social anxiety were gone! I was going to give up the first week of taking it, and something inside me told me to keep taking it, and I'm so glad I listened to my body. I am enjoying my life now with my lil girl."

• Yei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

For Panic Disorder "Taking Zoloft for the fifth time in the last 13 years. It has worked every single time! I am taking it for panic attacks, GAD, and depression. Started 7 weeks ago - 1 week 25 mg, 1 week 50 mg, 1 week 75 mg, and 100 mg from there. Weeks 3 and 4 were just brutal - extreme anxiety, depression, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, brain fog, etc., especially in the mornings. After week 6, getting better every day! You have to wait at least 6-10 weeks, it will start to work. I got through with the help of Xanax 0.5/3 times a day (don't need it anymore), and for sleep, I am taking 15 mg Remeron in the evenings. You will get your life back, this will stop, and you will feel great again!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2017

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I was on Zoloft for a few years as I have generalized anxiety disorder. I am also somewhat ADD and suffer from chronic insomnia but no depression. It helped, but I got a new doctor and we decided to try Wellbutrin and Vyvanse respectively to treat the ADD. Wellbutrin actually made me depressed, and the Vyvanse did wonders for the ADD but was horrible for anxiety. We then tried Effexor. Not the one. I went back begging for my Zoloft and a clonazepam at night. By far the best drug for me. It does take a couple of weeks before it calms me down enough to sleep. Being back on it feels like coming home again!"

• C_w...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2024

For Anxiety and Stress "I began taking sertraline 8 weeks ago to the day for anxiety and relationship OCD. I promised I would submit a review because this forum really helped me when I was going through the first two weeks. I had really awful side effects for the first week: nausea, diarrhea, skyrocketing anxiety, depressive moods. Genuinely, reading this forum was the only thing that kept me taking it. The second week, I felt much better physically, but I felt very detached and disassociated. Was a very weird feeling. After about 4 weeks, I began to notice a difference with reduced anxiety. Each week, things improved, and now, 8 weeks in, I feel so much better and more myself without the anxiety. The OCD is a working progress, I feel much more able to control my thoughts now but still working with a psychologist to work through the OCD. Would recommend this if you are having a challenging time, give it time to work and make sure you are getting other therapy too :)"

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2022

Sertraline for Depression "I finally caved and spoke to my doctor. I started my prescription only 3 days ago. I care for my father, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. I'm finding it a little overwhelming, but at the same time, I feel privileged to be able to do this for him. Unfortunately, I've been quite sad, angry, all the stuff that comes with worrying. My father has no clue how I'm feeling, I would never want him to know. I've been good at hiding my feelings around Dad, but by the time I go to bed at night, I'm exhausted and cry a lot. I have faith that this is going to help me after reading all of the positive comments. I'm not going to give up, and I'll keep you posted on how it's going. Take care of yourselves."

• cal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on Zoloft in my early 20s, but never found it very effective then. Fast-forward 15 years and every other anti-dep med later, my Celexa pooped out on me and I started having daily anxiety and panic attacks. It took nearly eight weeks for me to feel any positive effects from the drug. The start-up side effects were terrible - I was sick for weeks. However, when I was switched to Zoloft (150mg) from Celexa, they cut me off Celexa cold turkey and ramped me up to 150mg within four weeks. It was hell. Side effects: sleepiness, anxiety, depression, jaw clenching, dizziness, panic attacks, diarrhea, loss of appetite. Side effects hung on for at least the first four weeks. I'm about three months in now and feel much better. 90% normal."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After citalopram stopped working after 10 years, my doctor changed me to sertraline. Started on 50 mg for 3 days, then went to 100 mg. I was a total mess, couldn't eat, lost 1 stone in 3 weeks, was sick after drinking water, had tremors, night sweats, became depressed, had suicidal thoughts (I'm 41 and never had them before), became agoraphobic - the list is endless. Unfortunately, it took 2 months to see a psychiatrist who told me they weren't agreeing with me, so I'm weaning off them and feeling loads better. Was put on mirtazapine, and they seem to be working. This medicine seems to help lots of people, but please trust your instincts and have a good relationship with your doctor to discuss side effects, etc."

• Skc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started Zoloft seven weeks ago, and I think it is finally kicking in. For the first four to five weeks, I experienced a lot of sadness, tears, and digestive problems. I had been on Wellbutrin, Trazodone, and either Lexapro or Celexa for 13 years when this July. The Celexa was working great with the other drugs when, in July, my regular doc told me I had to go off the Celexa because of newly issued warnings of drug interaction. I went to see a psychiatrist who took EKGs and found out I was in danger of severe arrhythmia. So I went off Celexa and went on Zoloft. I’ve felt worsening anxiety, general sadness, and had digestive issues. But now, after seven weeks, I feel LOTS better. That has just happened this week. In my case, it has been wise to wait it out, but this might not be true for others."

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

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• jud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2022

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I'm on this for anxiety and stress. I posted a while back, but wanted to check in after about 8 months. Only 50 mg daily. My anxiety has basically completely subsided. The only continuing side effect that I seem to have is a deep afternoon tiredness, to the point that I have to take a nap nearly every day now. I still have some depression, and some days I can get pretty dour. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin to me today. I'll be combining it with my Zoloft to try to offset some of the fatigue and help with the doldrums. If not for the tiredness, I would give Zoloft 10 out of 10. It eliminated my anxiety."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2016

For Depression "My story; I hope it gives strength, and even though you feel like shit now with the RIGHT TREATMENT & DOSE, YOU WILL GET BETTER. In a nutshell; abusive relationship, court case, & bullying at work, which resulted in me resigning. My 'genius' GP thought it would be good for me to stop immediately my antidepressants (for anxiety). I got discontinuation syndrome. I fell into a deep depression & felt mentally unstable, reporting to A&E twice. I was terrified & spent weeks just lying on the floor to stop me topping myself (totally out of character). Sertraline was given to me, 50 mgs, increasing by 25 mgs every 6 weeks until I reached 200 mgs. 252 days of hell... but within 2 days on 200 mg, I immediately felt a change & hope - at last I was in recovery :)"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2022

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I am suffering from HOCD, harming OCD, and Pure O. Harming OCD came recently. A little more than a month ago, I broke up. This triggered a mental breakdown for a reason! Headaches, depression. I was like losing my mind. Uncontrollable thoughts made me feel scared and desperate. I had panic attacks, and I was thinking so much. Couldn't sleep. Feared the worst. I was so tired from my brain and my thinking rituals (that were a 'solution' for many years now). Lexotanil (Bromazepam - something like Xanax) helped me at the beginning of my breakdown, but I had so many intrusive thoughts. I was prescribed Zoloft. I started with 0.25 mg, went up to 0.50 mg, and stayed there for some days. Then I went up to 0.75 mg for 2 days, but it was feeling 'too much' and went back to 0.50 mg. I am less than a month on Zoloft and started feeling better. More relaxed and my mind did calm down a bit. At the beginning, I was against medication. It was my only choice. Needs time. I am optimistic. Side effects subside, I guess."