Zoloft and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• seb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2012

For Depression "I started on 25 mg for a couple of weeks, then went to 50 mg. Started having more side effects, such as a bad headache that lasted for several days. Have a kind of numb feeling, don't want to go out and socialize much."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2022

For Social Anxiety Disorder "It’s okay. I’m on 100 mg of Zoloft for anxiety. Sometimes I have no motivation, I get occasional panic attacks, and muscle pains. However, panic attacks have been reduced, as well as anxiety. However, I would not really recommend it. I have to take Klonopin occasionally because the Zoloft doesn’t always work. So it’s eh. Try it, but it doesn’t work 100%."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Started 50 mg Zoloft for anxiety and pure OCD worry and anxiety. It helped a lot with that, but unfortunately, it also made me terribly unmotivated and fatigued. I missed at least 50% of work and at times didn’t leave the house for a week. Simple tasks became a massive chore. Tapered off due to this. Side effects for me: no motivation, fatigue, initial insomnia, dry lips, nighttime urination, initial increased anxiety at night."

• Daz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2018

For Social Anxiety Disorder "This medication worked very well for my social anxiety, the main reason I was taking it. Started taking it in Nov. 2015 when I was 17. As the years went by, maybe in late 18/19 years old, I believe that I have changed and developed with life changes and all that which has affected how my brain works. During this time, the dose I was taking increased. The highest dose I took before I no longer wanted to take it was 150 mg. Though it still helped with the social aspect of my life, I now struggle harder with the depression side, also other things, and that makes it, for me, seem pointless to keep taking it as my social anxiety doesn't seem to be my main issue anymore. Things happen, and everyone is constantly changing, so I think it was effective when it was needed. -11/08/2018"

• gen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2022

For Postpartum Depression "I started having panic attacks 3.5 months postpartum. I had a difficult time finding a trigger (probably hormonal shifts), so it was hard to be able to avoid. My doctor gave me a prescription for hydroxyzine to use as needed until the Zoloft kicked in. I did not want to start the Zoloft. I was super concerned about having to be on it forever, and I am also breastfeeding and worried about transfer to the baby. I tried to just use the hydroxyzine, but it did not stop them, it just calmed me down after they had started, and I started getting anxious about the next panic attack. I was super worried about being emotionally blunted as well as not being able to perform at a high level (I have a demanding, technical job). I have been taking it for a little over 6 weeks, and it is a game changer. I haven't had a panic attack since I started taking it. It doesn't eliminate anxiety, it just dampens it. If you are debating taking it, don't. Just take the meds. You will be happy you did."

• Nat...
• December 10, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Well, this was my first experience taking any sort of medication for OCD. I am in my twenties and didn't notice a difference until around a month and a half. I gained 35 pounds within 2 months and started to become depressed (numbing feeling). I have had anxiety and obsession my whole life but began to feel like I was failing in everything. I couldn't continue school or work and made me feel extremely sensitive. It didn't work for me, so I got off of it due to the major side effects it had."

• Rya...
• October 29, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "This did help me with depression a few years ago, but my doctor tried to put me back on it for anxiety this time, and I immediately felt the side effects that I really didn't pinpoint to this at the time, but after just two doses this time around, they were EXACTLY as I remembered: diarrhea and an inability to relax. The diarrhea was horrible, when I would eat out, I would have to be by a bathroom. I found myself looking around for a restroom. I thought it was me, but I now know it was, in fact, the Zoloft. Put me in some very embarrassing situations, and it kept me from eating out. The inability to relax was quite bad, felt depressed. Thinking back, I just hate that I had to take this medicine. I should have taken it for a few months, not a year."

• Cro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "For me, this was the worst med ever. It made me suicidal, low mood, and low motivation. I do not tolerate SSRI or SNRI well. I feel doctors throw these at you without giving antipsychotics or benzodiazepines a fair chance. No 2 people react to meds the same, and for me, Zoloft was one of the worst meds."

• ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

"I started Zoloft a little over two weeks ago, my starting dose was 25 mg to test for any negative side effects before going on 50 mg a week later. The first week was pretty rough: insomnia, odd dreams when I finally got to sleep, very depressed, absolutely no motivation. It's been about a week or so on the 50 mg, and I've noticed some pretty weird side effects including: jaw clenching HARD without realizing, headaches, confused when waking up (not being able to remember what was reality and what was a dream), poor vision, and oddly enough, an increased OCD anxiety. Hoping it will wear off by the 3-week mark, seeing as though that's when a lot of people are saying they started to feel better. We'll see."

• ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

"I started Zoloft a little over two weeks ago, my starting dose was 25 mg to test for any negative side effects before going on 50 mg a week later. The first week was pretty rough: insomnia, odd dreams when I finally got to sleep, very depressed, absolutely no motivation. It's been about a week or so on the 50 mg, and I've noticed some pretty weird side effects including: jaw clenching HARD without realizing, headaches, confused when waking up (not being able to remember what was reality and what was a dream), poor vision, and oddly enough, an increased OCD anxiety. Hoping it will wear off by the 3-week mark, seeing as though that's when a lot of people are saying they started to feel better. We'll see."

• koo...
• November 10, 2009

For Depression "Started taking 100 mg one year ago for mild postpartum depression. It really helped me for the first 6 (ish) months, and I definitely felt a change. I started feeling depressed again (several life 'happenings'), so my doctor increased my dose to 150 mg, which I have currently been taking for going on 4 months now. I've been feeling depressed again and am at the point where I either need to increase my dose (again...and I'm already on a high dose) or switch to a different medicine. I think I'm trying the latter. Some of the side effects I have experienced: insomnia, extreme fatigue, slight weight gain (10 lbs over a one-year period...active young mom, so very weird for me), increased depression, headaches."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was diagnosed with PMDD about 9 months ago, after tracking symptoms with my gynecologist. We tried the Yaz/Zoloft treatment (25 mg) for three months, one week prior to my period. The first month, it worked like a charm. The second, I started feeling off, almost numb to things. By the third, I was a basket case. This is also when the weight gain kicked in - I gained almost 15 lbs in 5-6 weeks. If I wasn't depressed before, this definitely did the trick. My doctor then took me off the Yaz/Zoloft regimen and opted to stop my periods altogether, to stop the monthly hormone fluctuation. I have been on Seasonique for three months, and it has been amazing! I am finally feeling back to myself after almost a year."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2012

For Depression "When I started Zoloft, I had tremors. My initial dose was 100 mg, but after a few months I still had issues with anger and sadness. My dose was increased to 150 mg, and I seemed to be doing better. My sad thoughts went away. I had no desire for sex at all. I still felt like I could sleep all day and all night every day. I just recently switched to Wellbutrin XL. It was hard on me coming down from the Zoloft. I became more sad, depressed, angry, and hostile. A couple of times I had suicidal thoughts (didn't have before or while taking Zoloft). Pros: no weight gain with Zoloft. Cons: had to cut back on my caffeine, no sex drive at all, and just didn't quite work good enough for me."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2012

For Depression "When I started Zoloft, I had tremors. My initial dose was 100 mg, but after a few months I still had issues with anger and sadness. My dose was increased to 150 mg, and I seemed to be doing better. My sad thoughts went away. I had no desire for sex at all. I still felt like I could sleep all day and all night every day. I just recently switched to Wellbutrin XL. It was hard on me coming down from the Zoloft. I became more sad, depressed, angry, and hostile. A couple of times I had suicidal thoughts (didn't have before or while taking Zoloft). Pros: no weight gain with Zoloft. Cons: had to cut back on my caffeine, no sex drive at all, and just didn't quite work good enough for me."

• jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "Sertraline has done absolutely nothing to help my depression, it brought on anhedonia, which made me feel really down and just deeply sad. Waited 3 weeks and made me feel way worse. This is the 2nd SSRI I have used. I luckily respond very well to bupropion XL 300 mg, and it saved me from the complete hell I was in due to the SSRI. I don’t truly believe serotonin is the key to happiness, especially because I responded a hell of a lot better to Wellbutrin, which is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. All I can do is hope the new medication of ketamine nasal spray will do something good for most people who are suffering."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm 12, and I've taken Zoloft for about three months now. It has helped with my anxiety a lot, but the side effects are horrible. My depression has worsened, it has disrupted my sleep patterns, and I'm never hungry anymore. I'm also taking Concerta (I have ADHD, Asperger's syndrome, depression, anxiety issues, and signs of mild OCD)."

• sol...
• February 14, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm a 21-year-old full-time college student dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety. After a severe panic attack, my doctor prescribed me Zoloft to help quell my anxiety. He started me on a low dosage (50 mg), and it helped out a little. Then, 2 weeks later, he doubled my dosage. This caused me to hit an all-time low. I've never been depressed in my life until Zoloft. It caused me to be miserable, anti-social, and alienate myself from the world. Everyone's body reacts differently to medications, but if you feel like Zoloft's making you depressed, stop taking it. It can be a nightmare if you don't react well to it! After 3 days off Zoloft, I felt exponentially better."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed Zoloft and was brave enough to start it 3 days ago. I'm always scared to try new meds and try holistic as much as I can. I was able to manage anxiety with diet and exercise until I got COVID 6 weeks ago. 3 days in, I started having panic attacks and then experienced insomnia like I never had before. I would lay awake all night and couldn’t sleep. Saw family doc who gave me Xanax, which would give me a few hours of sleep here and there. Well, I hadn’t slept for 8 days and had a full-blown panic attack that landed me in the psych ER. They started me on some meds to help me sleep, which they do, but now the anxiety is back and added depression on top of everything. The doc wanted me to start Zoloft right away, but I was nervous, so now, 2 weeks later, I’m desperate and started it. Have had diarrhea and just feel very anxious, running thoughts and can’t sit still. I still have to work, so I’m pushing through and praying I start feeling something positive soon. Will update."

• bba...
• December 6, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I was on this drug after a traumatic experience that brought my anxiety up further than it ever had been. It helped take the edge off for the first few weeks during the summer, yet after a month into university when everything became stressful again, I stopped seeing results. I went up to 50 mg after being on 25 mg, and I felt absolutely awful. I felt like I was trapped in a box but had to carry the weight of it everywhere. Functioning became harder and harder, and I wasn't myself. I went back down and immediately felt like I did after being on no medication. However, at this point, I started feeling depressed and suicidal, things that are not usual for me. Now I am beginning to try Fluvoxamine, and hopefully, it can fix what Zoloft caused."

• red...
• May 14, 2012

For Depression "I absolutely love Zoloft. It took my panic attacks away on 150 mg. But I had 40-pound weight gain, sexual side effects, no orgasm, lack of interest, very tired all the time. I could sleep any time of day. I'm a 22-year-old female, just stopped it to try Viibryd."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started a low dose of 25 mg of Zoloft 1 month ago, and it was increased two times. The last time was 17 days ago to 100 mg. I can't sleep, lost weight, my anxiety is tremendous, and I am still depressed. How long will it take to feel normal?"

• Gia...
• July 23, 2013

For Panic Disorder "After 1 week of taking Zoloft, I became depressed and had uncontrollable suicidal ideation. Never experienced anything like it. Went to the ER 3 times in 2 days to protect myself. I couldn't shake the horrible urge until about 3-4 days off the medicine. I told my psych on the 4th day, and she said that sometimes happens to people under 25?"

• que...
• August 17, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Okay, I know these meds are supposed to help people, but I have been on a train to hell with these dang antidepressants! Zoloft.... ICK!!!! My God in heaven, I was sick for eight weeks on this stuff!! It never went away, in fact, the longer I was on it, the sicker I seemed to get. I lost five pounds, and just the sight or thought of food made me want to throw up! It made me feel even more depressed the whole time I was on it... I felt like a zombie, I was tired ALL of the time. Finally, I threw it away. My husband decided he wanted to give it a shot, so he went to the doctor to get a prescription for it. Eight weeks later, he was worse!"

• Ano...
• June 1, 2022

For Panic Disorder "I’m going to start this off by saying I was not the one taking Zoloft, but my boyfriend (now ex) was. If I could rate this drug a 0, I would. I wholeheartedly believe that this medication destroyed our relationship. He went from being very affectionate, loving, and kind to someone I no longer knew. He went from not ever wanting to lose me to not caring if he lost me at all. He would tell me all of the time how he’d never felt this way before and how he wanted me to be his future wife. On Zoloft, he got to where he was putting no effort into the relationship, and I started to feel as if he wasn’t enjoying sex anymore either. I felt as if he was no longer attracted to me, when before he started this medication, I could tell he was attracted to me. This medication made him emotionless. I did everything just to try to make him happy, and it wasn’t enough. I broke up with him, and it didn’t bother him. He’s just fine, and I’m broken."

• Mil...
• December 13, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Zoloft for around 13 years. I am 36. Female. I have a fifteen-year-old son. I'm a single parent, but my mother and stepfather have always done a lot for my son. I was on doses over the years, mostly of 100 mg, 200 mg, and 150 mg. From memory, in all that time, I never stopped taking it for more than a few weeks or a couple of months at the most. A few months ago, I stopped taking Zoloft because I was sick of still feeling depressed, and as the years go on, I feel worse, not better. I've been off it now for a few months, and I still feel like a zombie and depressed and feel really exhausted but can't sleep, too lazy to do basic things. I've had bouts of feeling like this for as long as I can remember. Maybe I need to just keep taking it."