Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anony...
• August 8, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've suffered from general anxiety and social anxiety my whole life. I recently started Zoloft at 100 MG and experienced side effects like diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, and an increase in anxiety. I thought the side effects would be worse, but surprisingly it wasn't that bad. My birth control medication affected my hormones way worse. It's been a little over a month now and I don't wake up anxious anymore, I am able to socialize better, look people in the eye, and talking more in meetings. The only down side about this medication is that it completely got rid of my sex drive. My boyfriend does not pressure me and is very understanding of my mental health journey. I'm going to see my doctor and discuss possible alternatives. It actually terrifies me, because I'm scared that there is not a better alternative that will bring back my libido. For once in my life, I feel normal. I highly recommend Zoloft. If you're a single person suffering from anxiety, this would help."

• Larks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "When I first started taking it I had a lot of side effects, like nausea, sleepiness, insomnia, muscle twitching, decreased sexual interest, headache, nightmares, need to move legs and others I can't remember but I was desperate to get rid of the anxiety so persisted. Most of the side effects went away after several days. I still have the leg movement and insomnia and but it's manageable. It took about 5 1/2 weeks before I noticed any effect by when I feel happier, like I can't even think in a depressed way, and I can talk to people online with ease. Still panic about the outside with strangers everywhere and conversing one on one is still hard. Nut now after 6 weeks my doctor has put me up from 50mg to 100mg so I'll see how that goes."

• Trish
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "3 months into Zoloft. Started on 50mg. Every weird feeling side effect that you can imagine - i had it. I felt very high first few days which was fun. But also paranoid from the light, tingles etc but it was fine. Stuck it out and love it now. I've had to go up to 75mg because on the third month now I have began to get side effect feelings again but mild ones. 2 days ago Doctor said 50mg is a low dose I need higher. Been a bit hyperactive and wide awake till all hours but it will settle in a couple days. I'm calmer, happier, less obsessed with thinking etc"

• B100
• July 3, 2016

Zoloft (sertraline) "Before taking this medication I was experiencing sleepless nights. Sometimes this would happen for 3 nights in a row. There was no reason for me to feel anxiety or feel as if a panic attack was coming on. My panic and anxiety feelings were in my stomach& my throat. I felt like I could scream but I could never get it loud enough. I was also experiencing stomach ulcer symptoms. I had no clue what was wrong w/ me. At work I started to experience social anxiety. I would feel panicked, my face would get flushed & my neck and chest would break out in hives. One other extremely annoying symptom was getting up during the night to pee when I really didn't have to. My doctor prescribed 25 then 50 then 75 then 100mg of zoloft and I'm 100% better."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been on this medication for a few years now. overtime, I have noticed huge improvements in my severe social anxiety. it is much easier to get through the day! As far as side effects, I experienced loss in appetite and fatigue for about a week, then it all went away. Please don't let negative reviews scare you and give the meds a chance to do their job, it doesn't happen overnight!"

• CMT
• October 29, 2012

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started this two months ago to help with my light depression and anxiety problems as a long-term replacement for Xanax. So far I haven't had to use my Xanax in almost a month. I didn't think this would do much but I was wrong. The first two-three weeks I had some mild nausea and tiredness but that went away pretty quickly."

• krquire
• January 5, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been struggling with social anxiety disorder and a low-level functioning depression for most of my life. Four years went by with no medication, and during this time I was very paranoid and lost all of my friends. It wasn't until I met my boyfriend that I saw I couldn't truly function this way. I finally admitted to myself that I might need to be on medication. It's been about two months and I feel awesome. I am taking 50mg everyday, and was able to go on a Christmas vacation where my boyfriend and I met each other's families. This would never have been doable before. I am thoroughly satisfied, and am so happy with my decision. I still have leftover anxiety symptoms but I am working on that in therapy."

• Tippy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "Don’t give up! It took 8 weeks for it to work for me! I was on paxil since I was 18 (I’m now 43), but the older I got the worse weight gain got so I switched to Zoloft. I had morning anxiety and loss of appetite for the first 7 weeks. By week 8 I noticed it was going away. I’m on week 10 and I’m feeling myself again. I take 200mg."

• Pink
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "It works!!!!! First month it's going be terrible but don't give up!!! Stay strong because in 6-8 weeks you will feel sooo much better. I kept giving up and one day I said let me stay strong and I did it! In 4 weeks I took 50mg daily and then 100g then I noticed the difference and started to feel like myself again! :)"

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2010

Zoloft (sertraline) "I am a 17 year old female who has been on Zoloft for almost 6 months. I used to have terrible social anxiety, and was diagnosed with an anxiety and panic disorder. Since I have started taking Zoloft, my ability to speak with people has grown tremendously. I can't remember ever feeling happier than I do now, and the biggest change in me is the fact that I now feel emotionally stable. I'm only on 25mg, but I have found that it has helped me in incredible ways. The only side effects I have experienced are loss of appetite and slight nausea- I have lost a bit of weight while on this medicine, but not a dangerous amount. I highly recommend talking to your doctor about this medicine if you experience social anxiety, or have panic attacks."

• cheeb...
• February 2, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "Had last PA (panic attack) 8 years ago after I snorted a lot of amphetamines and went to a hospital. I had car accident and have PTSD. Went to surgery 2 months ago and after anesthesia stopped working my anxiety come back, chest pain nothing to worry about. I went on vacation and had this panic attacks 3 days in row since I woke up, didn't have any benzo on me so worst 3 days in my life. Went to Doc. she gave me Xanax 0.5mg 3 times a day. Went to Psych. she gave me zoloft because Xanax didn't help. It's 4 days since I'm on zoloft 25mg and feel dizzy any more anxious but it will go away with time. I quit drinking, tobacco, weed after this and it made me more anxious because of withdrawal. I take them at night with xanax to help me fall asleep and when zoloft start to work I'll throw Xanax. My brain cells are messed up from my lifestyle and I know it and they just need to pull back together. Remember you're not alone and things will be better!"

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

Zoloft (sertraline) "I told myself I would post on here after I felt Zoloft had helped me. I'm a 28 yr old female that has never been on medications before or treated for anxiety. Currently I’m an RN that 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 now at 100mg. The Zoloft onboarding for me was HARD. Increased anxiety first couple weeks, loss of appetite, insomnia, diarrhea, loss of libido. I think if I would have known before hand 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 propanolol when required when I feel even more anxious. Also exercising, meditation, decreasing my caffeine and alcohol intake has helped. GAD score is now 6"

• Leekee
• July 28, 2020

"On sertraline 25 mg for social anxiety and PTSD. The first week I felt sick to my stomach and dizzy, heavily medicated. I didn’t feel any anxiety what so ever and my racing thoughts and nervousness was gone! So I overlooked the sickness part. The second week I went to a dose of 50mg. I was extremely calm. In fact you could be screaming in my face and I be like okay. I didn’t have any racing thoughts very relaxed. My sickness was gone after two weeks! Although I felt sleepy during the day. I pushed through it with a morning exercise and felt more awake. This medication has been the best so far! I feel normal and less racing thoughts or sleepless nights or being nervous and on edge. My social anxiety is gone. My PTSD has disappeared. This has done wonders for my life! I no longer feel the need to have any drinks to calm down or relax. I can sit in peace and not on the edge or hyper. My Focus is also great also. I’m laughing more and just overall feel better. I’m 2 months now into it and glad I choose to stay on it!"

• oscy
• April 12, 2012

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been having social anxiety my whole life and didn't even realize it. I also suffered from random panic attacks in the middle of the night. I became antisocial, I would isolate myself and lacked communication with my parents. I was very aggressive, had severe depression. I started self medicating with anything that made my depression feel better. I would pursue a quick fix and not realize how much more self harm I was causing to myself and my health. I became suicidal. I asked my teacher for help when I was getting worse. I have therapy and saw a psychiatrist. Zoloft has been really effective for me. I'm no longer having rushing thoughts or feeling socially awkward around people."

• wwjd
• May 10, 2008

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been taking zoloft for about 2 months and it seems to be helping me with my temper and stress level. I have lost about 10 lbs, which is great but I can't seem to be still. I'm constantly moving my feet or legs. Very figidy."

• tayyy
• April 17, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have had what I see as pretty bad social anxiety, to the point where I look back and realize how much life I have missed out on. It took me a while to actually become aware of it, but for some time now I have been dwelling on it since it makes it super hard to make friends. So, I usually see myself as not having very effective medications (such as SSRIs) for depression/anxiety etc. Either that, or it's hard to notice improvement. I specifically wanted to go on a medication for my social anxiety so my doctor ended up putting me on zoloft and I love it...I can actually see improvement and I have even made a friend. It's to the point where I feel like I can notice myself being more anxious when I forget to take it at the beginning of the day"

• Sarah
• March 8, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "Stick it out. I was so hesitant to explore perscription medication, instead of the more natural methods. Eventually when I couldn't take it anymore I began Zoloft. The first month I was taking 50mg, and was slowly upped to 100mg. 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2012

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started taking Zoloft about three weeks ago. I have noticed various symptoms, I grind my teeth quite a bit which brings on headaches, I yawn constantly and I am always tired (even if I have eight hours sleep). I have not experienced any weight gain as yet, or any other symptoms associated with this medicine. I used to have panic attacks every second day, I have not had one since I started taking Zoloft which is a great outcome. I did get a bit panicky in a social situation two days ago, though was able to control my emotions so I didn't have a panic attack. So far so good."

• Robert
• August 20, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been on Zoloft for 3 months now and I've got to say its been pretty good. I am on 50mg a day and sometimes I skip because I'm not so worried anymore. Really has helped out a lot. I'm making friends."

• Lilly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2016

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft has helped me so much so far. I have spent the last three months getting worse and worse. Panic, anxiety and depression. I was on Wellbutrine but it just seemed to make me worse. Two days after starting Zoloft (I take it before I go to bed), I woke up happy. I felt normal - like myself! I don't know about the sexual side effects yet because frankly it was difficult to want to be intimate when I was living in an emotional hell. Thank you Zoloft!! "

• sammy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder I was very hesitant at the start to try medications and thought I'll battle through with the help of therapy. 3 months later I gave in for medication. Couldn't get through a day without my anxiety being an obstacle. Was prescribed Zoloft for the first time at 25mg. For the first week things were fine just the usual upset stomach and dry mouth nothing I couldn't handle but surprisingly it made me depressed (never was) but anxiety DID settle a little (hence 5/10). Then was pushed up to 50mg... the upset stomach stopped the dry mouth decreased but restlessness and insomnia kicked in including the zombie feeling. This went on for over 2 weeks but had to stop, it was affecting my work. Withdrawal symptoms, depression."

• itsju...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 31, 2023

"About 18 months ago I went through a period of time when I was scared to interact with nearly every single human being. I did not want to go to the bank, I did not want to go into the gas station, and I did not want to go to the job site because I was worried someone might be on the job. I suffered from racing thoughts of panic and extremely high levels of anxiety. I use this site very often for personal research and I want to start giving back. I take sertraline 50 mg in the morning every day and it has lifted my social anxiety and anxiety to unbelievable levels. I am fully able to take part in life every day without the constant worry that everyone knows every little dark secret about me and can read my mind. I was suffering badly before sertraline. So I will rate sertraline 10/10 for its anti-anxiety purposes. It has not helped in the area of depression, which is another bridge I am trying to cross."

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

Zoloft (sertraline) "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 even explain it was the most horrible 3 days of my life. It wasn't anxiety it was something 1000 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 in my life. Please be careful with this drug. I was using Remeron and escitalopram but this one almost killed me as I was thinking will jump out of the window."

• Liz
• April 23, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I am a 45 year old female and have had mild to moderate anxiety for most of my adult life. I lived with it for years and tried different medications on and off when my level of anxiety increased. I also tried yoga, meditation, exercise and counselling. A year ago, a new doctor prescribed 100mg Zoloft 1x/day. It took about a month for me to feel a difference, but Zoloft has given me the most "normal" feeling of any drug I ever tried. I do not have sexual side effects, as I did with other antidepressants nor do I feel numb or sleepy throughout the day. I have gained some weight (15 pounds) over the past year, but I can't really attribute it just to Zoloft."

• Dora
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "This drug gave my life back! I suffered from severe social anxiety and panic attacks of course. Only in 10 days I started to see the difference. Now it has been three weeks and I feel fine! Negative thoughts have disappeared and I'm not getting easily stressed about everything as I used to do so."