Sertraline for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Blue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "On 50mg for 4 weeks then increased to 100mg for depression, panic attacks, and obsessional thinking. I had few side effects: a slight hand tremor, yawning, and difficulty sleeping. The only thing that lingered was the insomnia, but now that has settled down and I sleep okay. I feel so much better, panic attacks gone, obsessive-compulsive disorder gone, and my mood is lifting daily. I am enjoying life again, and this medicine has been so right for me."

• Wande...
• March 20, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft. You made me REALIZE, I've been locked out of HEAVEN for too long (I've been dancing and cleaning on this Bruno Mars song all morning). That's how I feel on my medication! I'm on day 4 of 50 mg and I'm supposed to increase it to 100 mg after 10 days. I have been having side effects since the first day such as shaking, abdominal pain, insomnia but nothing too major compared to what the 'Beast' (yes! I call my anxiety the beast hehe) had me endure before. So I really don't mind those side effects because I know what's ahead of me is going to be spectacular. I've never had so much faith in my life before, at least not that I remember."

• Framous
• October 25, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I just wanted to say that if you find a medication that works well for you, stay on it! The mistake that I have made and others make far too often is to quit the meds once you feel better. If you feel bad before you find the right med that makes you feel better, then you should keep in mind that it is the med that's working. If it's working, stay on it. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD or Bipolar, or a combination like many have, it's probably not going away... it's there to stay. I will agree that it sucks being labeled with any mental condition, and I know it's no fun taking meds, especially meds for the head... but if they work, and you need them... stay on them! Life is short, so enjoy it as much as possible!"

• Nurse...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "I am 39 years old, was a new nurse and struggling with major depression. I had not been to a doctor in years and broke down crying at the first visit. Started 50 mg a day. Felt a little funny the first couple of days but now feel much better! Everyone noticed a change for the better and I even got a promotion at work! I feel so much better and have not had any side effects!"

• Rosie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 10, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been on Zoloft and the generic sertraline on and off for many, many years, on 50 mg. Recently, I developed symptoms of depression, panic, etc., due to health issues. I have a great GP who encourages me to manage my depression, so with his agreement I increased my dose to 100 mg and suffered every symptom for weeks. Anxiety, nausea, shaking, insomnia. After 10 weeks, these symptoms have all but disappeared. After reading all the reviews, I vowed to share my experience too. Remember, the symptoms WILL go away. It may take longer for some people than others to feel better. You may feel good one day but not the next. Hang in there. It takes time. I now feel almost ready to go back to 50 mg."

• NewUser
• January 29, 2009

Zoloft (sertraline) "I just started Zoloft 3 days ago, and the side effects so far have been very clear. For me, I haven't been able to eat. I've never been a good eater, but I don't need to lose weight, and I am eating maybe half of what I used to just a few days ago. Nothing seems to taste very good, and I feel full after very little food. I get nausea for about 10-15 minutes about 4-5 times a day, that I didn't have before. My head feels really weird, like I can feel the chemicals running through my brain. It's really weird. I had problems sleeping before taking Zoloft, so not sure if that is a side effect. A lot of good reviews - going to stick it out."

• Eilidh
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2020

"I am so thankful for these reviews, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have persevered as long as I did on Sertraline. I was in deep despair and anxiety following a few traumatic life events. In a bad way. Put on 50mg and first week or so got an amazing effect but that stopped. Up and down over the next 4 weeks, then up to 100. On that for 8 weeks and again happy a few days, low a few days. Felt it maybe wasn’t working, which I was distraught about, but these reviews really helped. So many times I thought about giving up, but many reviews said to persevere. Side effects of nausea/increased anxiety can be horrible but isn’t 24/7. Propranolol 10mg and diazepam 2mg helped. Up to 150mg and again happy days bad days. Nearly gave up again. Now been on 150mg over 8 weeks and eureka! Happy, calm, positive, sociable, fun. So if this sounds like you, please please persevere! Get help and support through it and ignore when people say takes 4-6 weeks. That’s taken me nearly 6 months, but wow it’s worth it!"

• Braddd
• November 29, 2016

"The worst thing anyone can do is read these darn reviews! All they do is put ideas in a person who is already on edge. Then when you read what people say, you start to panic and imagine you have things that you would not ever have thought of in the first place. But since you read what other people are saying, it's putting thoughts in your head. Just take the meds and chill out. Have your own experience, not someone else's."

• Anon
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

"I have been on sertraline for about 4 months. I had horrific side effects for 2 days including more severe depression, intrusive thoughts, nausea, diarrhea. I persevered after reading reviews on this site. I didn’t feel any different for maybe 2 months, but now I feel amazing! I feel the best I ever have and I only had mild depression. I walk around with a smile on my face, no longer feel anxious in social situations and nothing seems insurmountable (and I went through recovery from surgery, a breakup and living with my ex through COVID lockdown on this medication). It’s a game changer for me! I’m on 50mg/day. Give it time to work because it’s worth going through the horrific side effects to feel like I do. Just make sure you chose a good time to start (i.e. not a busy time at work or similar) because you may have to take a few days off work. Make sure you have support."

• AnneJay
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "My original post was 10/2/16 - had great results immediately on 50mg daily. I am able to hold down a full-time job that I love, which was impossible prior to Zoloft. Rarely have anxiety anymore, my relationship with my husband has improved, and the constant 'internal storm' is gone. At 51, I finally feel HAPPY!!! Keep trying everyone!"

• Sal
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 3, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "I'm so thankful for Zoloft. I laid in bed all day, sleeping as much as possible, never eating, never bathing, and honestly being way too angry at other people. I used to have panic attacks all the time, and nothing could cheer me up. When I started taking Zoloft, I immediately started feeling a certain euphoria and gigglyness through the first week or so (which I know is rather uncommon) and I was slightly dizzy for about the first two weeks. But that wore off, and I have zero side effects, now months into taking it. I'm not 'euphoric'... I just feel normal. I don't feel neurotic anymore. It's such a relief."

• Princ...
• April 30, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "I want to take the time out to thank whoever invented Zoloft. I used to be so depressed. I didn't want to be around my kids or my husband. I would tell my husband I was tired of existing. My life was turning inside out. So I knew I needed help. I talked to my doctor, explained to her what I was going through, and she said Zoloft would be perfect. I didn't want to believe I needed meds, but it wasn't bad at all. I'm happy now, my kids love to play with me and think I'm so cool! My husband, who was so patient, just loves all over me and he's proud I didn't give up. I'm only 28 years old and I feel like I'm a teen all over! Thanks Zoloft."

• Arrow...
• April 7, 2019

"I had a mixture of bad depression and anxiety. It was getting to the point where I was never sleeping and skipping work. My doctor prescribed a temporary prescription of sleeping pills (promethazine) and a longer term of sertraline. I was taking 25 mg of sertraline for about 2-3 weeks and a low dosage of a sleeping pill. After about a week or so of grogginess and nausea, my sleep started to get better, and I also found my mood improving. After about 3 months, I was not taking the sleeping medication anymore and had increased to 50mg a day of sertraline. I have stayed on 50mg ever since. This relatively low dose (for a 220 lb, 6 ft 5 in man) has changed my life. I am a different person. For me, it's been a game-changer, and I really hope reading this gives others the confidence to give sertraline a serious go."

• Pyrena
• January 8, 2020

"Sertraline has changed my life for the better. It was a living nightmare getting through the first 8 weeks of side effects. I almost gave up several times; they were so bad. I experienced explosive diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, overeating, extreme tiredness, insomnia, loss of sex drive, inability to orgasm, loss of all emotion, and severe anxiety. I had to take time off work to deal with the physical and emotional side effects of this drug. I also had to have someone come and stay with me. Despite the terrible side effects, it has made me feel like myself for the first time in 10 years. Thanks to this drug, the negative thoughts in my head are locked away in a dungeon somewhere, and crying no longer rules my life. I feel happy, strong, confident, motivated, and finally at peace with myself. I know this drug is not for everyone, but it works for me, and if I can encourage anyone to just buckle down through the side effects...you'll make it to the other side."

• Babyl...
• March 2, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "If you are scrolling through 1000's of reviews like I was, this one is for you. I started Zoloft three weeks ago for Major Depression and overwhelming anxiety and panic attacks. I started at 25mg for a week, then up to 50mg. Initially, I felt a million times worse, constant panic attacks, increase in suicidal intrusive thoughts, deep depression. But, after just 1 week at 50mg, I noticed a difference in mood, and it's been better and better since. Fight through the initial worsening of symptoms if you can! I asked for Xanax to help me get through it. It definitely gets worse before it gets better for some people, but it was 100% worth it for me! I also had slight nausea, a sore neck, and some dizziness that all seem to be subsiding."

• LRano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've suffered with anxiety for years but finally came to a head a few years ago. Had some personal family issues that became overwhelming. I was always mad, sad, frustrated, you name it, and that was me. My brain could not stop thinking about my problems. It was very tiring. I finally went to the doctor and he prescribed Zoloft 25 mg. For the first few days, I felt like brain waves going on in my head but no big deal. Within 2 weeks, I started feeling happy! A few months later, the doctor put me up to 50 mg. I felt the brain waves again for about 48 hours and then stopped. I've been on Zoloft for about one year. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. Oh, I can still get mad or sad but not as severe or for as long."

• Nikki
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "This drug changed my life. I feel better than I ever could have imagined after starting Zoloft. I had suffered with depression, unmedicated, since childhood. Finally, I got a doctor who would give me the antidepressants I needed. I was started on 25 mg for the first week, then 50 mg. I've been on 50 for 5 months now and so far so good. I've noticed drastic changes in my mood and my stress levels. Things that would've sent me into a panic attack before now only get me mildly stressed. I don't have random crying fits anymore. I'm not angry. The main side effect I had upon starting was no appetite. I felt nauseated every time I ate and had no desire to eat either, other than just to stop feeling hungry. That lasted about a month. Other than that, I haven't experienced any negative side effects."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "I refuse to let what happened to me happen to anyone else. I’m 18 year old petite female. I began taking 25mg of zoloft for anxiety and mild depression. On day 3, I experienced serotonin shock syndrome. I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night with my entire body shaking, my heart rate extremely high, and extremely confused. My parents took me to the ER after I told them I felt like my life was ending. The physicians assistant in the ER dismissed me as a panic attack, even tho I’ve had anxiety my entire life and I have never felt close to way I did that night. My experience left me completely traumatized. I struggled to sleep for months afterward, terrified that I would wake up the same way. PLEASE PLEASE consider what you are putting in your body when you take this drug, especially if you’re a smaller person."

• Sierra
• January 15, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been on Zoloft 50mg for about 6 months now. I got on it because I could not control my anger. I would go from okay to completely angry in just a matter of moments. Everything and anything would set me off, and I couldn't control it. So, I went to the doctor and he put me on Zoloft. I have lost close to 40 lbs since being on the medicine because I have no appetite anymore. I do not feel like a zombie; instead, I am able to control my anger better. I still get upset and angry, but I don't lash out like I used to. I feel like I have control of my life now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started taking sertraline around 5 weeks ago today (25mg). The first few days were fine, I only had a bad stomach for a day or so. However at around week 2 I felt awful, was having extreme suicidal thoughts. I carried on taking the medication as I know it gets a lot worse before it gets better. At 5 weeks now, I have increased my dose to 35.7mg and I feel pretty good. Haven’t had any side affects from increasing the dose slightly just yet. It’s worst sticking it out through the hard times, there is defiantly a light at the end of the tunnel!"

• Kort
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've always experienced social anxiety growing up. I thought this was normal but it became clear to me during college that I shouldn't be feeling so shy all the time. I was afraid to be myself. I was constantly going back and forth between anxiety and depression for years. I tried meditation, yoga, running, a different diet... But nothing seemed to be working good enough! Enough was enough! I researched Zoloft for a few weeks and finally decided to try it out. WOAH! Other than the initial side effects such as decreased appetite and restlessness, this medication changed my life!!! I feel very comfortable talking to people in social settings.. I could finally be myself! The biggest thing is being patient--- it works!!!!! Good luck everyone!"

• Ruhro...
• July 8, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "20-year-old college student. I've had OCD since I was a kid (depression since junior year of high school) but only within the last year did I make the choice to take an SSRI. There's a lot of ambiguity surrounding antidepressants, and you can't really extract much from reviews without feeling reluctant. Yes, there are side effects that appear within the early stages. It is scary to ingest a drug you know little about. However, I can feel happy again, which I thought I had lost the ability to do. I don't believe everything is hopeless, which I truthfully thought I'd feel the rest of my life. It's been a lifesaver, and at 100mg, nothing feels inherently different about myself. It's just a tablet. Don't let it be more than it ought to be."

• Kitten
• June 21, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "20-year-old female, prescribed 50 mg for major depressive disorder, social anxiety, and just overall generalized anxiety. Been on 50 mg for 3 months now. Side effects were minor, which consisted of insomnia, loss of appetite, and nausea, though they subsided within the first few weeks and I now experience none. I love Zoloft! I can live again! I'm laughing and going out with friends, not laying in bed all day. I can finally breathe, my surroundings seem so much brighter, I don't harbor hate anymore, I'm me again. More ambitious and creative like I was before I fell into this self-destructive path of depression two years ago. I no longer have the desire to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. I wish I got on Zoloft a long time ago."

• Jamid
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "This pill is a miracle for me. I've been taking it for about a month now, and within four days my nagging depression, anxiety, and paranoia were almost completely eliminated, which I had not expected at all. My Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has also calmed down significantly since taking it, and my overall demeanor has changed from angry and suspicious all the time to happy and full of energy."

• Dirty...
• May 26, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been taking Zoloft for 10 years. I take 100 mg daily. I have found that all of my symptoms have diminished. In times of real stress, I take an extra pill. All I can say is that none of the previous drugs I took helped me at all. I have depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. At age 59, I still react to anything that sounds like gunfire. I spent 33 years working for the government, 2 in the Army, the rest in law enforcement. I have found that I have no issues to deal with. I did once, while out of the country, lose my prescription while backpacking. It was horrible for me and my two friends. I take my pill in the evening before bed. No side effects at all. I found Zoloft to be a godsend for me."