Zoloft and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Depression "I took this for 7 days but was sick from day one. Tried to hold out. Became suicidal and panicky, anxiety through the roof to where I had to take Ativan. Nightmares were horrible. Also, I had an upset stomach and diarrhea. Couldn't get out of bed, had to stop it."

• Sar...
• March 8, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "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."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2022

For Panic Disorder "My worst Christmas and New Year was 2019. I was the saddest person, crying 24 hours, wanted to kill myself but didn’t because I remembered my mom, dad, siblings, and wife. Went to the emergency room, and the doctor prescribed me Zoloft. I was so sad, didn’t see any hope. At first, I had more anxiety, but after four or five weeks, I could see a light very far away, then I became a little hopeful but not 100%. After a few months, it was like someone turned on the switch in my life was back."

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

For Social Anxiety Disorder "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."

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

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."

• liv...
• April 3, 2013

For Panic Disorder "After a heat stroke, I would have random, uncontrollable cry spells-sometimes for hours. I also developed horrible anxiety. I always had knots in my stomach, and sometimes in public, I would suffer from 'fight or flight.' It was just exhausting. I tried Celexa 20 mg, and that made me cry more. So, a few months later, I tried Zoloft. On 50 mg, and it's been only 6 days. I feel more at ease, better when I wake up, and sleep better! It's easier to go to work. Have the courage to try this, it seems like it is turning my life around for the better! The only side effect I have had is diarrhea, but it is a small price to pay for happiness, trust me."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I was so scared to try this medication, and I read all of the negative reviews thinking it would do the same to me. My therapist told me that it was my anxiety causing me to feel this way. So, finally, I was at the end of my rope and felt like I had nowhere else to turn, I bit the bullet and started taking 50 mg every night. At first, it did increase my anxiety and panic attacks as it says it would. I am a female vocalist, and I sing in front of a lot of people, so that being said, you can understand how much my panic and anxiety multiplied at first...."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Not to freak anyone out, but I have had a nightmare experience on Zoloft for 8 weeks. I was on another medication that was okay but not great. Instead of asking my doctor if I should just go up, I requested a new medication. I started feeling bad about two weeks into it. My doctor, whom I love and respect, told me to go up about every week. So at 8 weeks, I am a freakin' mess. Abdominal pain of unbearable proportions. Anxiety off the charts with all the lovely side effects. Tomorrow I start fresh. For anyone else starting a new med, watch how it affects you. If it feels wrong, have a good rapport with your doctor or therapist. Give them all the information, if it feels really bad, then don’t mince words, tell them. I will get better, hopefully sooner rather than later. You will too. You are strong and you are special. God created you that way. Love yourself and don’t listen to any negative talk, even from the most well-intentioned. Good luck, and God bless."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

For Panic Disorder "For many years, I have dealt with generalized anxiety disorder. Earlier this year, I began having severe panic attacks that landed me in the ER. The first week on 25 mg was really hard, I had a very upset stomach, diarrhea, and increased anxiety. The side effects started to lessen after that, only to start back up all over again when I went up to 50 mg. Those side effects only lasted about a week again, but I didn’t get a good night's sleep for about a month after starting 50 mg. It was awful. But that has also now passed, and I can truly say that I feel better than ever entering month 3. The one side effect that I think is here to stay, unfortunately, is the sexual side effect. However, I have none to very minimal anxiety, no panic attacks. I feel back to my normal self. This is a medication that you definitely have to ride out the storm in order to get to the positives. It helps going into it knowing that it’s going to be hard, but it’s worth the outcome!"

• Zol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2015

For Depression "Everyone's experience with a drug will be different. In my case, being a 6 ft, 170-pound male with depression on 50 mg of Zoloft, I had a good experience. It won't be the same for everyone, but you have to hang in there until you find the right medication. I tried Lexapro previously, 10 mg, and it was too intense for me. Zoloft is a little bit softer and less intense (for me anyway). The first two weeks sucked, I had increased anxiety, and it was hard to sleep, but it was worth it. I was going through withdrawal syndrome from Lexapro (I stopped taking it), and the Zoloft cured me in about 3 days. It has helped my depression a lot, and a little bit of my anxiety. I want to stay on 50 mg as long as possible, and I am hoping this will last."

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

For Postpartum Depression "First off, don’t stop taking Zoloft. I learned it the hard way. I suffered from postpartum depression (PPD) severely after I had my son in 2009. I was hospitalized for 2-3 weeks. Zoloft did give me side effects the first couple of weeks, like headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, panic, and diarrhea. It felt like I was a zombie the first 3 weeks. My PPD gradually subsided the 3rd week. I weaned off of it when my son was 3. Fast forward 2 years later, I went through a rough patch and needed to be on Zoloft again. Then again, I tapered off of it after 2 years. Then I had another child 10 years after 2009, and my PPD came back, so I’m on it again. So far, I’m trying to pull through this tough time again. Zoloft has helped me plenty of times, and I hope this will help someone that is going through PPD."

• Kms...
• November 11, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I started taking Zoloft about 5 months ago, and it has totally changed my life for the better. The first 2 weeks were a little rough (increased anxiety), but my doctor increased my Ativan dosage until the Zoloft started working. It took about 4-6 weeks to truly start working, but once it did, it was a lifesaver. I've had barely any anxiety and have been able to decrease my Ativan slowly to 0.5 mg per day. Would highly recommend this medication for panic attacks and/or generalized anxiety disorder."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

For Depression "I have been taking the drug for 2 months at 50 mg. I had increased anxiety for about 2 weeks when I first started, and then all the side effects disappeared. I'm much more calm and able to deal with the enormous amount of stress I'm under with a calm, clear head. I feel like it is easier to communicate my thoughts and that I do not have as many emotional swings during the day. I highly recommend Zoloft to anyone looking for something to get them through a tough time."

• Anonymous
• July 12, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "Zoloft has been helpful as someone dealing with chronic pain and occasional anxiety. After trying a variety of different treatments and regimens, this seems to be the best long-term strategy for coping with anxiety. I realized a lot of things about myself after beginning Zoloft - the ability to process things before I react and the way that I handle stressful situations has changed for the better. I feel like a more balanced, calm person since starting about 7 months ago. It has helped with relationships too, as I am able to manage my stress and anxiety more around the people that I love. I felt a bit jittery and lost a few pounds when I first started, but the side effects were gone after 3 weeks. And for the record, I was completely opposed."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Depression "I went on Zoloft for 4 days. I had been on it before and did not experience any side effects. However, this time I experienced every side effect in the book: dizziness, drowsiness, hot flashes, nervousness, shaking, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea. Most importantly, my mental state declined immensely. I felt 100x worse on the pill than before taking it. I had uncontrollable crying, anxiety attacks, and feelings of hopelessness. I really scared myself, and I felt that I was never going to get better. And this was only after 4 days of being on the medication, and I was at my lowest point I ever have been. This was not the right medication for me."

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

For Depression "I’m on this drug, Zoloft, for the second time. There are a lot of reviews of side effects and discontinuing the drug. If you lower the dose, it can lessen side effects like anxiety. The Zoloft starter pack starts with a week at 25 mg, then a week at 50 mg, then a week at 75 mg, then 100 mg. Talk to your doctor about if anxiety is too high. You can half the dose and move up slower. In the Zoloft info on this site, it says if you have too much anxiety, you can move back down to the previous dose until it stabilizes. Some reviews are people starting at 50 mg or higher."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2023

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have had anxiety and panic attacks for over one year now. I ended up at the hospital in very bad condition because I had not slept. What this drug did to me I can't even explain, it was the most horrible three days of my life. It wasn't anxiety, it was something 1,000 times worse! I was passing out several times with waves of anxiety and disorientation. After 30 hours, I began to ask for help on the floor. Finally, after 30 hours at the hospital, I was given diazepam to cool off. It was helpful a little bit, but I have the biggest trauma of my life. Please be careful with this drug. I was using Remeron and escitalopram, but this one almost killed me as I was thinking I would jump out of the window."

• Alf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed 50 mg of sertraline due to panic attacks and general anxiety. The first 2-3 weeks were almost unbearable (increased anxiety, insomnia, and nausea), but slowly but surely, after about a month, I started to feel like I could finally relax. I would not recommend coming off this medication instantly-I tried it, and I had horrible withdrawal symptoms, so now I'm on 25 mg every other day, and it's worked out great for me! Stick through the bad times because it's so worth it!"

• kal...
• June 3, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was apprehensive about trying Zoloft, but I wanted to share my experience. I started taking Zoloft 2 weeks ago primarily for major depression. When I'm less depressed, I also suffer from social anxiety disorder. I took 25 mg for the first 4 days, then upped it to 50 mg. The first few days on 25 mg, I had moments of feeling very spaced out. When I increased the dose to 50 mg, I had a few days of nausea, diarrhea, and again felt quite spaced out, but after 4 or so days, this stopped. I also experienced a few waves of anxiety, but this has since disappeared. 2 weeks in, and I'm feeling better. Not all the way there, but I feel more stable. Less hopeless, more in control. Calmer. I'm starting to feel like myself again."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2022

For Depression "I was experiencing extreme depression bouts and bad anxiety. Sometimes I would cry uncontrollably all day. I began 25 mg of Zoloft a little over 3 weeks ago. I am one of the rare people that noticed a change within the first few days, and it has been great the whole time so far. I feel like myself again and have not had an emotional spiral since beginning this antidepressant. Anxiety is also much less. I anticipate my doctor will up my dose in a few more weeks, and I will probably stay on this SSRI for a while until my brain can do its job on its own. I am so glad I gave this a try. I felt so lost and alone and thought I was going crazy. I just needed a little help."

• Rya...
• February 6, 2017

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."

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

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."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 27, 2022

For Panic Disorder "Due to health problems, my anxiety and panic disorder became worse, wherein I cannot function anymore. My panic attack crippled me to the point of not showering, not eating. It’s so bad. I have tried all the antidepressants, escitalopram, etc. The first week was hell. Anxiety was worse, but I’m sleeping more. In the second week, I’m eating more, I’m sleeping more, less anxiety. In the third week, eating normal, sleeping normal, less panic attacks, less anxiety. In the fourth week, my life is back to normal! I’m on this treatment for 1 year and 6 months, and my doctor weaned me off as I don’t need it anymore. Of course, I made a lot of changes in my life. I did everything that makes me happy. I removed toxic people from my life. I moved to another country. And I’m okay now. Zoloft helps me a lot. Don’t be scared to try. Be patient. I thought I was hopeless, but this medicine is here to help."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 27, 2022

For Panic Disorder "Due to health problems, my anxiety and panic disorder became worse, wherein I cannot function anymore. My panic attack crippled me to the point of not showering, not eating. It’s so bad. I have tried all the antidepressants, escitalopram, etc. The first week was hell. Anxiety was worse, but I’m sleeping more. In the second week, I’m eating more, I’m sleeping more, less anxiety. In the third week, eating normal, sleeping normal, less panic attacks, less anxiety. In the fourth week, my life is back to normal! I’m on this treatment for 1 year and 6 months, and my doctor weaned me off as I don’t need it anymore. Of course, I made a lot of changes in my life. I did everything that makes me happy. I removed toxic people from my life. I moved to another country. And I’m okay now. Zoloft helps me a lot. Don’t be scared to try. Be patient. I thought I was hopeless, but this medicine is here to help."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2019

For Postpartum Depression "I started Zoloft after my first child was born in 1986, and I experienced postpartum depression. It worked great, and after a while, I quit on my own, thinking I was in the clear. Big mistake, within a month or so, the depression returned, and my PCP stated, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Meaning, why did I quit? He said if you feel well, it's because of the Zoloft, so stick with it. My son, who just turned 16, has been on it as well, along with Adderall. While both drugs make me quite nervous, he has gone from a disaster at school to excelling in many categories, and I feel he is in a good place mentally. Hope I don't live to regret these choices! Good luck to all of you!"