Zoloft and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Chr...
• October 9, 2015

For Postpartum Depression "Zoloft saved my life after having postnatal anxiety after the birth of each of my children. I had severe anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia which led to depression. I was fearful about being alone. I was hospitalized for 8-12 weeks each time. Anxiety and depression are heightened when you first start this medication, so don't give up on it. Give it a chance to work. It took at least 8-10 weeks to start feeling like myself again, then 12 weeks for symptoms to disappear. Don't be afraid to take a sedative at the start to ease the bumpy side effects. Stick it out. It will be worth it in the long run. I frantically googled reviews on here just like you, so I wanted to write my story to encourage another mom experiencing similar symptoms."

• Anx...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2013

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have struggled with anxiety for years, and I've improved Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a way that would increase my quality of life. I've been taking 50 to 250 milligrams of Zoloft for the course of almost 7 years, and I've been getting 5 to 8 hours of sleep every day. I was going from C's and D's in school to mostly A's and B's, and my memory was becoming crystal clear. When I decided to go down to 25mg, I began to experience more anxiety, more depression, more insomnia, and more OCD-like symptoms. Even if I had a good day under 25mg of Zoloft, I wasn't confident about myself and didn't like the person that I was becoming. I'm telling you, this medication does work to treat your anxiety, it just takes time to work."

• Can...
• July 23, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "To those struggling: please try to stick it out! This is my second time on Zoloft - I was on it about 5 years ago and had my depression well-controlled until a recent job loss and move triggered another incident. I dealt with horrible side effects for over three weeks - feeling trapped in bed in the morning with anxiety, incredible nausea, brain fog, the works. I’m only on 25mg (when I was on it before I started on 50 but switched to 25 as 50 made me very sleepy), but the side effects were still a lot to deal with. I’m happy to report that I’ve started to feel normal again this week, and that aside from a bit of morning anxiety, the side effects are gone. While there is no guarantee this drug will work for you, if you are experiencing uncertainty because you are in the throes of med adjustment, there may be relief on the other end. I found forcing myself to work out was really helpful. Anyway, the success stories on this site helped me keep going - maybe they will help you, too!!"

• ano...
• February 2, 2014

For Depression "I'm 16, and over the course of a few months, I started becoming more and more depressed and anxious. After trying a few other medications along with none at all (only therapy), I started taking Zoloft as it has helped others in my family. The first 10 days (started at 25mg) were horrible - suicidal thoughts, no appetite, headaches, and terrible anxiety. But once I hit 2 weeks, I felt so much better. I'm now 6 weeks in and on 75mg. I feel amazing, still get headaches but I'm not sure if it's related. I feel almost 100% myself. I'll give it a few more weeks and see if I need to maybe get to 100mg, but honestly, this medication saved my life."

• Gyp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I first tried Lexapro for major depression that came out of nowhere and rendered me useless for 6 weeks. The Lexapro was awful and gave me massive panic attacks, making me unable to get out of bed because I felt so ill. I then switched to Zoloft, and it has saved my life. Within two weeks, my mood has lifted significantly, and I feel so relieved of my terrible depression. I started very slowly as I was worried about having the same response as with the Lexapro. I would recommend anyone do it this way if you want to ease in with minimal side effects. I started with 12.5 mg for three days, then 25 mg for another 3, then 37.5 mg, and now 50 mg. Side effects were minimal, but it did make me drowsy for a while. My anxiety and crying increased slightly at the start, and then gradually I found myself singing a little tune or being more lighthearted with my kids. And now, I feel 500 times better than I did two weeks ago. It thankfully has worked very fast for me."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I am 6 days into Sertraline 50mg for panic disorder and want to reassure anyone who is terrified of starting this drug because they've read about all the terrible side effects, just as I was. I am a 23-year-old female suffering from this for 8 years. Various therapies have helped but I keep relapsing. Last week I gave in and spoke to my Dr about meds. The first night I panicked because I was so scared of the side effects, which turned out to be mild at worst. Insomnia the first night, day 2 mild headache + slight diarrhea, and slight nausea on day 3+4, also loss of appetite. Overall, it felt like a mild hangover. I have felt slight anxiety at times, but it subsides quickly and doesn't develop. I'm feeling calmer already not even a week in!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 24, 2013

For Depression "I went through a bad period of depression after a job loss, and I tried Lexapro first for treating it. The Lexapro made me extremely tired all the time, so my doctor switched me to Zoloft. Zoloft ended up being much better for me. The main things it has helped me with are getting back to actively participating in life and being able to be more level-headed in stressful situations. The side effects I have had are reduced libido and slightly reduced appetite. Also, the first week or two after I started and after a dosage increase, I had more significant side effects, like being more depressed and anxious than usual and being angry. But once I got through that, I started feeling better than I had felt in a long time."

• bro...
• August 31, 2013

For Depression "I have major depression for several years. It is worse lately with suicidal thoughts. I started out on 25 mg for four weeks and saw little difference other than typical side effects. The fatigue was overwhelming for 10 days but got better after two weeks. I upped the dose to 50 mg and had bad anxiety and trembling inside for about six weeks, but now I am happy to say I'm much better - no trembling, sometimes anxious, but the sertraline has definitely been worth it. I'm still not sleeping as well as I would like, waking up three times a night and getting up at 4 a.m. wide awake. To all of you who are just starting on it, hang in there - it will get better."

• Ala...
• April 13, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I had been a marijuana smoker for many years but stopped and then found I was depressed, couldn't sleep or concentrate very well and would get panic attacks. My drug & alcohol physician put me onto Prozac but after just one tablet, I suffered anxiety and was very jittery and almost felt seasick and terrified. He then prescribed Zoloft for me. What a WONDERFUL drug! After one day, I felt focused, clear-headed and happy. I went on to attend Melbourne University as a mature aged student and studied philosophy - it was amazing. I'd never felt so intelligent or capable in my life. I eventually came off Zoloft after a few years and have never looked back. It may not suit everyone but it certainly was just what I needed!"

• Ala...
• April 13, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I had been a marijuana smoker for many years but stopped and then found I was depressed, couldn't sleep or concentrate very well and would get panic attacks. My drug & alcohol physician put me onto Prozac but after just one tablet, I suffered anxiety and was very jittery and almost felt seasick and terrified. He then prescribed Zoloft for me. What a WONDERFUL drug! After one day, I felt focused, clear-headed and happy. I went on to attend Melbourne University as a mature aged student and studied philosophy - it was amazing. I'd never felt so intelligent or capable in my life. I eventually came off Zoloft after a few years and have never looked back. It may not suit everyone but it certainly was just what I needed!"

• Iki...
• November 5, 2019

For Depression "So far Zoloft has been a great experience. I feel so much better. This is my 4th week on it, and it really helped me. Less mood changes, even before period (PMDD), less anxiety in stressful situations. Really happy about it. Haven't felt this good in a long time. I am happy I was able to find a medicine that works for me."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I had suffered from anxiety my entire life, from giving speeches to socially to confidence issues. Going away to college made things 100,000 times worse. I would stay in bed a lot, had no motivation or energy. I stopped working out. I still had friends, but there was a big issue. I stuck it out, and on winter break, I tried this drug. I started off at 25 mg for 5 days, noticed some improvement, but it went away. I went to 50 mg and started having the worst anxiety of my life, felt extremely detached from reality, and would sit in one spot and do nothing for hours, I couldn't even go outside, terrible! For 3 days like this. Then it slowly started getting better, and I felt good again. I still had a little anxiety but felt so much better. I felt the drug start to wear off, so I went up to 75 mg, had a small uptick in anxiety for half a day, but after that, I have so much energy and motivation and have found happiness truly. The moral of the story: if it gets bad, stick with it, I promise you it gets better."

• hal...
• November 19, 2019

For Depression "Zoloft has changed my life. I suffered from postpartum anxiety and depression. I had two children that are 14 months apart. Once I started Zoloft, my life became so much better. The first few days, I did feel a little weird (startup symptoms can make anxiety worse), but after that, I felt so normal. It has been a lifesaver."

• Sig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2014

For Depression "Generic Sertraline gave me some relief, but it made me jittery and gave me headaches. After reading testimonials, I insisted on the name brand Zoloft, so glad I did. It's like a completely different medicine. More relaxed and not full of negative thinking. I still get overly anxious if something stressful happens, but it doesn't last long. Side effects are more tolerable, though it does make me tired."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "From bad to good. Week 1 was great. Obviously placebo. Week 2 was a low week. So tired all day long. I struggled to concentrate. Work performance was affected. I learned that alcohol brings you right down. DON'T DO IT! Some anxiety in Week 3. Another low week in Week 4. I felt zombified. Tired all day. I could barely stay awake in meetings. I couldn't pay attention for more than a minute. Noticed my hands are shaking. Some anxiety. Week 5 was better but still tired. Small improvement but still zombified and shaking hands. Week 6 was less tired but still shaky. Mood is lifting. Strange confidence. Loving it! Confidence and mood grows in Week 7. Little anxious in Week 8. Feeling great. There is hope! Avoid too much alcohol and coffee. 2 or 3 per day is okay."

• JLf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2025

For Postpartum Depression "I am yet another mom who frantically looked up reviews of this medication in hope of finding some relief from crippling postpartum anxiety and panic disorder. I have been on Zoloft for exactly 12 weeks now and can honestly say it was life-changing. I suffered from PPA shortly after birth but delayed getting help until my daughter was 7 months old. I, like many other moms on here, tried everything before medication: CBT, meditation, exercise, yoga, you name it. Nothing could help me escape the crippling intrusive thoughts, daily panic attacks, irrational fears, and insomnia. Starting Zoloft was awful. I had diarrhea, worsening anxiety, and nausea for the first 7 weeks. I was ready to give up the medication until I gradually noticed a change in my thought patterns. I worked my way (very slowly) up to 50 mg and have been there for six weeks. My family notices so many positive changes in my attitude and behavior. Best of all, the side effects dissipate."

• Gp2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2025

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’ve been on this medication for about 5 months now, and I promised myself that I would return to this site and write a review. In the beginning, I was skeptical and really had no hope that there would actually be medication out there that can help ease my OCD and anxiety. I can say that my obsessive thoughts and ruminations have lessened in a big way. I’m no longer consumed with random thoughts and the uneasiness that came with the ruminations. I started at 50mg and increased all the way up to 150mg, and that’s when I noticed a change in my thought process. The first month is definitely not easy… increased anxiety, no appetite, a ton of fatigue. The anxiety subsides and you get your appetite back, but the fatigue lingers a little bit. The change is not drastic, but it’s enough to not want to pull your hair out from not being able to control your thoughts. I am a big advocate for this medication if you’re struggling."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2013

For Depression "It was crazy how much Zoloft really helped me with anxiety & depression. I did stop taking it though because I began to realize after being on it for about 6 months that I felt like I didn't have feelings anymore about anything. That scared me, so I quit taking it. Now that I've been off of Zoloft for a month and a half, I'm really struggling with anxiety at work again so I do plan to get back on it."

• Fi8...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2013

For Panic Disorder "For most of my life, I have felt something was wrong. Recently, my anxiety began to feel worse than usual, so I went to a new doctor. He prescribed me Sertraline. For the first week, I felt anxiety and headaches, just quite 'wired'. I was worried I was going to damage my brain, and the meds wouldn't work, but then suddenly I felt 'fixed'! I am so relaxed now. I don't feel like I'm going mad from anxiety anymore! This is how I should have always felt. Glad I've sorted this out in my twenties. I wish I'd been prescribed this medication sooner!"

• Cat...
• July 12, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "My 15-year-old daughter was practically a recluse. She is bipolar and taking Seroquel, Lamictal, and Intuniv, but she was depressed and had such social anxiety that she couldn't even leave her room. After 3 weeks, she is the daughter I knew to be. She still has issues, but going outside of the house is not one of them. I am so happy with this medication. She started at 25 mg and is now at 50 mg. What a godsend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

For Depression "Day 18 on Zoloft started with 50 mg, increased to 75 mg after day 7. Day 11-15 were terrible days, I felt a lot of anxiety mixed with crying, loss of appetite, and I experienced panic attacks in the early mornings three days in a row (I’ve never once had that issue before). My physician added 10 mg of Buspirone twice a day to help fight those battles, and it helped. Today was a beautiful day — I don’t remember a single thought holding me back, I felt balanced. Hope this continues."

• Uni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2016

For Depression "Zoloft has given me the last leap I need to heal my mind. I have been struggling with severe anxiety, insomnia, and bouts of depression for 3 years. While I have been off work, in therapy, and trying other means of rehabilitation, for the first time in years, I actually feel calmer most of the time and mostly happy. I'm so grateful. It's been a trial and error and a slow process, but I know my self-care is my main priority now. See more of my story: mental-health-matters-a-womans-story-of-the-struggle. Good luck to all."

• Rac...
• November 20, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I've dealt with anxiety for the past 7 years, but about 2 months ago it got really bad. I started having at least one panic attack a day, and it was really scary. I'm not a depressed person, but the anxiety was making me feel that way because I didn't know if I would go back to 'normal'. I finally decided to see the doctor and tried Zoloft. I didn't have any side effects, just mild anxiety that got better day by day. A couple of high anxiety days in between, but all in all... I was getting back to myself. Here I am, a couple of months later, and COMPLETELY back to normal! I feel so happy and thankful that I decided to try medicine."

• hea...
• August 27, 2013

For Panic Disorder "I was experiencing severe anxiety and panic. I could barely leave my house and everyday activities seemed impossible. I would get dizzy, pounding heart, the works! Also, I couldn't sit still anymore! I could not sit in class, dinners, or even just with friends. My doctor prescribed Zoloft 25mg, a typically low dosage, after an unsuccessful attempt with Lexapro. I have been on Zoloft 25mg for six weeks now and I'm doing tremendously better. The first two weeks or so I experienced minimal, tolerable side effects like a foggy feeling the first day, heightened anxiety and restlessness, but nothing too bad. Now I feel great! I can sit for longer periods, with little to no obsessive thoughts, and am pretty much panic-free! I love Zoloft!"

• Que...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2017

For Panic Disorder "Writing a review because I'm just like you scrolling through. I wanted to share my experience with this medicine. First things first, this does not work right away, it takes about a month or two for me, at least, to kick in, so do not stop after just a week unless you have horrible side effects. I started from 20mg all the way to 100mg. It helps a lot with social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression, as well as agoraphobia. Panic attacks are gone, still get anxious but a normal nervousness, not overwhelming. No more crying spells. This medicine won't cure mental illness, but it definitely helps! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Give it a try, and always keep your head up! If it doesn't work, you can always keep trying other SSRIs that will help your everyday life!"