Comparing Escitalopram vs Zoloft

For Anxiety I took my first dose and the next day I experienced severe anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, brain and tingling sensations in my neck. The next day I took my 2nd dose I thought I was losing my mind still didn’t sleep, still was not eating, extreme agitation, night sweats, shaking, my body would not relax or my brain. Couldn’t think. My pupils were dilated and I had diarrhea, I went back to my family dr she told me I would start to feel better after the first two weeks. She gave me clonazapam short term for sleep and Ativan for the first two weeks. The first week was very difficult but as the days passed I started to get my appetite back and could feel the nervousness and anxiety lifting. The last 3 days I felt back to myself, I haven’t had to use any Ativan but I still use the clonazapam at bedtime for sleep. The only side effect I have after 17 days is insomnia. Will update in another 4 weeks.

For Anxiety I had anxiety most of my life but a series of traumatic events (family death, divorce) made it unbearable and I had extreme insomnia. After therapy and trying natural things that weren't completely helping, my dr prescribed this. I was scared to take it (side effects, mind altering) but was desperate 2 months in and it’s made a big difference (along w/ therapy, exercise, etc). My insomnia improved a fair bit w/in 2 weeks, anxiety decreased. No significant side effects (though a few to start). I was worried about deadened emotions but it hasn't happened. I feel more like myself/calmer. I still get anxious, sad, happy, where its called for but don't have all consuming anxiety Startup was bad, I had extreme increased anxiety w/ the initial 5mg but it went away w/in 4 days (and didn't increase when upped to 10mg). I had stomach issues for 2 weeks but it was tolerable Overall, w/ other positive changes I’ve made, this has made a world of difference compared to how I was feeling before

For Depression Just take these reviews with a grain of salt. A lot of reviews after taking one day, couple weeks etc. you need a full three months for maximum effectiveness. Not that it takes that long to start getting relief. Side effects are common while your body adjusts. Some of them will go away. I had no troublesome side effects with Zoloft. I always have to start out gradually. Maybe even more than they say bc I’m sensitive to meds. I got big relief from depression. Panic attacks went away. OCD went away. The cons are it made me not very motivated, felt kind of numb to strong feelings. Not feeling urgency about my life. I wouldn’t take it again for years bc it blocked my clear perspective. But it was great to get me stabilized. Things that really help but can’t completely replace anti dep is fish oil, vit d, exercise, sunlight, folate like spinach , lentils really good. Also diet really helps. Get a book called the good mood diet. Best wishes

For Depression I'm a 31 year old Male who has had challenges with depression and anxiety throughout my life. I have been on several different meds in my past, including lexapro, paxil, effexor, wellbutrin, prozac, zoloft, and some others as well. Of all of these meds, I've found zoloft works the best for me. However the worst thing I experience with zoloft is decreased libido, as with all of the other meds I've tried, except for wellbutrin. This side effect truly sucks. Zoloft also kind of makes me feel robotic and emotionally numb. Currently I'm experimenting with another medication (viibryd) in attempt to find a med that works without having sexual side effects. However zoloft is my fallback option, because this med at least stabilizes me and helps function in society. Therefore I give this med a 7 out of 10. My advice to everyone is to keep being patient with meds and realize that it might take some time and trial and error. And always keep hanging in there no matter what. Good luck.