Zoloft for Social Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• CMT...
• October 29, 2012

"I started this two months ago to help with my light depression and anxiety problems as a long-term replacement for Xanax. So far, I haven't had to use my Xanax in almost a month. I didn't think this would do much, but I was wrong. The first two to three weeks, I had some mild nausea and tiredness, but that went away pretty quickly."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2017

"I've been on this medication for a few years now. Overtime, I have noticed huge improvements in my severe social anxiety. It is much easier to get through the day! As far as side effects, I experienced loss in appetite and fatigue for about a week, then it all went away. Please don't let negative reviews scare you and give the meds a chance to do their job, it doesn't happen overnight!"

• Pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2018

"It works!!!!! First month it's going to be terrible, but don't give up!!! Stay strong because in 6-8 weeks you will feel so much better. I kept giving up, and one day I said let me stay strong, and I did it! In 4 weeks, I took 50mg daily and then 100mg, then I noticed the difference and started to feel like myself again! :)"

• jan...
• October 31, 2020

"I had an adverse reaction to Zoloft - insomnia, and it was so bad. I had to go to the ward for not sleeping for 8 days. I was also pacing and other bad stuff. I did not have mania. Over a year later and over 20 pills tried on me. Never recovered. I have biochemical brain damage. I only met a tiny few people this exact same thing happened to. (We met in support groups) If this truly happens to others, it may be told that it is something else. I am 37. I slept fine my entire life. My life is a mess now. I never feel sleepy and so on. I am a rare case."

• osc...
• April 12, 2012

"I've been having social anxiety my whole life and didn't even realize it. I also suffered from random panic attacks in the middle of the night. I became antisocial, I would isolate myself and lacked communication with my parents. I was very aggressive and had severe depression. I started self-medicating with anything that made my depression feel better. I would pursue a quick fix and not realize how much more self-harm I was causing to myself and my health. I became suicidal. I asked my teacher for help when I was getting worse. I have therapy and saw a psychiatrist. Zoloft has been really effective for me. I'm no longer having rushing thoughts or feeling socially awkward around people."

• B10...
• July 3, 2016

"Before taking this medication, I was experiencing sleepless nights. Sometimes this would happen for three nights in a row. There was no reason for me to feel anxiety or feel as if a panic attack was coming on. My panic and anxiety feelings were in my stomach and my throat. I felt like I could scream, but I could never get it loud enough. I was also experiencing stomach ulcer symptoms. I had no clue what was wrong with me. At work, I started to experience social anxiety. I would feel panicked, my face would get flushed, and my neck and chest would break out in hives. One other extremely annoying symptom was getting up during the night to pee when I really didn't have to. My doctor prescribed 25, then 50, then 75, then 100 mg of Zoloft, and I'm 100% better."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2013

"When I first started taking it, I had a lot of side effects, like nausea, sleepiness, insomnia, muscle twitching, decreased sexual interest, headache, nightmares, a need to move my legs, and others I can't remember, but I was desperate to get rid of the anxiety, so I persisted. Most of the side effects went away after several days. I still have the leg movement and insomnia, but it's manageable. It took about 5 ½ weeks before I noticed any effect when I feel happier, like I can't even think in a depressed way, and I can talk to people online with ease. I still panic about being outside with strangers everywhere, and conversing one-on-one is still hard. But now, after 6 weeks, my doctor has increased my dosage from 50 mg to 100 mg, so I'll see how that goes."

• tay...
• April 17, 2017

"I have had what I see as pretty bad social anxiety, to the point where I look back and realize how much life I have missed out on. It took me a while to actually become aware of it, but for some time now I have been dwelling on it since it makes it super hard to make friends. So, I usually see myself as not having very effective medications (such as SSRIs) for depression/anxiety, etc. Either that, or it's hard to notice improvement. I specifically wanted to go on a medication for my social anxiety, so my doctor ended up putting me on Zoloft, and I love it... I can actually see improvement, and I have even made a friend. It's to the point where I feel like I can notice myself being more anxious when I forget to take it at the beginning of the day."

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 5, 2024

"I have been taking Sertraline since about 2001. It was prescribed for me by a kidney doctor when I quit smoking because I was close to being compulsive. So I felt great until about a year ago. I felt like it wasn't doing everything I needed in terms of my anxiety. I was constantly worrying and having thoughts that were based on my worries, mostly about my children and grandchildren. My doctor recommended adding Bupropion to the Sertraline, and it worked wonders. I was no longer wasting so much time with stupid thoughts about safety, accidents, and fears. I felt so much better. I take one Wellbutrin (Bupropion) twice a day - 75 mg each time - and one Sertraline (Zoloft), 100 mg a day."

• Tip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2018

"Don’t give up! It took 8 weeks for it to work for me! I was on Paxil since I was 18 (I’m now 43), but the older I got, the worse weight gain got, so I switched to Zoloft. I had morning anxiety and loss of appetite for the first 7 weeks. By week 8, I noticed it was going away. I’m on week 10, and I’m feeling myself again. I take 200 mg."

• wwj...
• May 10, 2008

"I have been taking Zoloft for about 2 months, and it seems to be helping me with my temper and stress level. I have lost about 10 lbs, which is great, but I can't seem to be still. I'm constantly moving my feet or legs. Very fidgety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2012

"I started taking Zoloft about three weeks ago. I have noticed various symptoms. I grind my teeth quite a bit, which brings on headaches. I yawn constantly, and I am always tired (even if I have eight hours of sleep). I have not experienced any weight gain as yet or any other symptoms associated with this medicine. I used to have panic attacks every second day, and I have not had one since I started taking Zoloft, which is a great outcome. I did get a bit panicky in a social situation two days ago, though I was able to control my emotions, so I didn't have a panic attack. So far, so good."

• Sar...
• March 8, 2017

"Stick it out. I was so hesitant to explore prescription medication, instead of the more natural methods. Eventually, when I couldn't take it anymore, I began Zoloft. The first month I was taking 50 mg and was slowly upped to 100 mg. The side effects I experienced were really terrible-increased anxiety for a few weeks... and I crapped my pants... but I promise, it was worth it. Now I'm 6 months on Zoloft, and I don't suffer from social anxiety at nearly the same level as before. I feel much more confident speaking in front of groups and just being myself. I also feel less depressed. I think that people often experience the terrible side effects and give up on the drug, but if you're willing to suffer through, sertraline may really help you."

• Zol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2022

"I told myself I would post on here after I felt Zoloft had helped me. I'm a 28-year-old female who has never been on medications before or treated for anxiety. Currently, I’m an RN who works in a high-stress area. This summer, I experienced severe anxiety (21/21 on the GAD scale) and was very distraught by it. My GP started me on Zoloft in conjunction with therapy. I started at 25 mg for a week and increased by 25 mg until my dose is now at 100 mg. The Zoloft onboarding for me was HARD. Increased anxiety the first couple of weeks, loss of appetite, insomnia, diarrhea, loss of libido. I think if I would have known beforehand and received better education on Zoloft, it would have been less distressing. BUT I’m here to tell you I’m over 3 months on Zoloft and feel 90% better. I also supplement with CBD gummies when I feel stressed or hydroxizine and propranolol when required when I feel even more anxious. Also, exercising, meditation, and decreasing my caffeine and alcohol intake has helped. My GAD score is now 6."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

"3 months into Zoloft. Started on 50 mg. Every weird feeling side effect that you can imagine - I had it. I felt very high the first few days, which was fun. But also paranoid from the light, tingles, etc., but it was fine. Stuck it out and love it now. I've had to go up to 75 mg because on the third month now I have begun to get side effect feelings again, but mild ones. 2 days ago, the doctor said 50 mg is a low dose I need higher. Been a bit hyperactive and wide awake till all hours, but it will settle in a couple of days. I'm calmer, happier, less obsessed with thinking, etc."

• Rob...
• August 20, 2013

"I've been on Zoloft for 3 months now, and I've got to say it's been pretty good. I am on 50 mg a day, and sometimes I skip because I'm not so worried anymore. It really has helped out a lot. I'm making friends."

• che...
• February 2, 2020

"Had last PA (panic attack) 8 years ago after I snorted a lot of amphetamines and went to a hospital. I had a car accident and have PTSD. Went to surgery 2 months ago, and after anesthesia stopped working, my anxiety came back, chest pain nothing to worry about. I went on vacation and had these panic attacks 3 days in a row since I woke up, didn't have any benzo on me, so the worst 3 days in my life. Went to Doc, she gave me Xanax 0.5 mg 3 times a day. Went to Psych, she gave me Zoloft because Xanax didn't help. It's 4 days since I'm on Zoloft 25 mg and feel dizzy, any more anxious, but it will go away with time. I quit drinking, tobacco, weed after this, and it made me more anxious because of withdrawal. I take them at night with Xanax to help me fall asleep, and when Zoloft starts to work, I'll throw Xanax away. My brain cells are messed up from my lifestyle, and I know it, and they just need to pull back together. Remember, you're not alone, and things will be better!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2025

"I developed postpartum anxiety this last year. I got on Zoloft and felt better within 3 weeks! It did give me an internal tremor for the first few weeks, and I didn't love that, but it went away when my anxiety went away. I love my Zoloft. If you're struggling with anxiety, give Zoloft some time! It'll work."

• Liz...
• April 23, 2015

"I am a 45-year-old female and have had mild to moderate anxiety for most of my adult life. I lived with it for years and tried different medications on and off when my level of anxiety increased. I also tried yoga, meditation, exercise, and counseling. A year ago, a new doctor prescribed 100 mg Zoloft 1x/day. It took about a month for me to feel a difference, but Zoloft has given me the most 'normal' feeling of any drug I ever tried. I do not have sexual side effects, as I did with other antidepressants, nor do I feel numb or sleepy throughout the day. I have gained some weight (15 pounds) over the past year, but I can't really attribute it just to Zoloft."

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

"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."

• LAU...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2018

"I was experiencing horrible anxiety attacks. I felt like I was having a heart attack, I was scared to fall asleep and not wake up. I was scared to drive, I felt like I was going crazy. My doctor started me on Zoloft 25 mg, which made it worse at first, but then she increased it to 50 mg, and after a few weeks, I started feeling about 50% better. So on my next visit, I was increased to 100 mg, and I was terrified to increase it. Now I'm doing about 90% better. Sometimes I feel like I'm about to get an anxiety attack, but after a few seconds, it goes away. I have a follow-up appointment in 6 weeks, we'll see what my doctor says. If you're going through this and your doctor prescribes you medication, take it and say a prayer."

• Dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

"This drug gave my life back! I suffered from severe social anxiety and panic attacks, of course. Only in 10 days, I started to see the difference. Now it has been three weeks, and I feel fine! Negative thoughts have disappeared, and I'm not getting easily stressed about everything as I used to do."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2016

"Zoloft has helped me so much so far. I have spent the last three months getting worse and worse. Panic, anxiety, and depression. I was on Wellbutrin, but it just seemed to make me worse. Two days after starting Zoloft (I take it before I go to bed), I woke up happy. I felt normal - like myself! I don't know about the sexual side effects yet because, frankly, it was difficult to want to be intimate when I was living in an emotional hell. Thank you, Zoloft!!"

• Ver...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2024

"I have been on 25mg of Zoloft for 8 months now. It has been transformative. I still get anxiety, but it no longer feels debilitating. It doesn't put me in paralysis like it used to. Also, things that used to always cause me anxiety (example: leaving the house alone, socializing with new people) don't really stress me out often anymore. I was very high functioning before, so I never would have thought it would help so much, but I feel like a barrier has been lifted that was holding me back from the life I wanted to live and the me I always wanted to be. I can't recommend it enough. For more specifics: It took about two months for me to notice the positive effect. I take it before bed. I haven't noticed it giving me any drowsiness or alertness. I also cannot think of many side effects. I have had maybe two random stomachaches in the past 8 months that could be due to the medication but also might not be. It affected my libido, but not necessarily in a bad way, just changed my motive."

• msl...
• February 28, 2012

"I have been taking this medicine for a little over 2 months, and I have noticed a big difference in my behavior. I laugh a lot more now, talk in a group more, and today I was able to go shopping to two different stores and sign up for the gym all by myself and not feel like everyone is talking or staring at me. I even was able to talk to people in the store and not feel funny. I hope this lasts because I kind of like getting out by myself, although I still have to push myself to do things. Overall, I am thankful for this medicine."