Wellbutrin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Give this medication a fighting chance! I almost quit a month in, but I am SO glad I didn’t and toughed out the negative side effects. When I started, I felt dazed and sedated but wired and jittery at the same time. My insomnia was horrible. Other side effects I experienced included tinnitus, horrible anxiety, hand tremors, heart palpitations, and a really short temper. I desired nothing, but had the energy to do everything - weird combo. OKAY, now for the GOOD, and things I think people should know before giving up this medication - the side effects last a LONG time (two and a half months for me) but they DO all go away. I was now able to get up early to work out, got into cooking, lost weight, and felt hopeful about life. Sex also got WAY better now that I could stop living in my head, which was a huge plus. For the first time in a long time, I can really say I feel happy. So give it time!"

• F21...
• June 14, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "This drug Wellbutrin has been life-changing for me. After trying SSRIs and SNRIs that didn’t work, it did the trick. Yes, it sucks at first; the side effects are horrible, but you have to give it time. And on these meds at first, I got the head zaps, anxiety like I had never felt before, heart palpitations, lack of appetite and weight loss, headaches, nausea, severe insomnia - the whole nine yards. But after about 5 months on 300 mg, I turned a corner and feel better than ever. I can focus, I’m not tired but can sleep if I need to, my anxiety largely went away, I’m happy and can orgasm too. All the side effects pretty much subsided, save for the appetite one... I still don’t have to eat if I don’t want to, but I’m not repulsed by the idea of food anymore. So seriously, it isn’t a conventional drug and it’s bad initially, but PLEASE stick with it. Don’t expect it to work overnight... these things take time. I promise you will get results. You got this. Hang in there!"

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2021

For Depression "Saved my life and marriage after I had severe PPD and PPA. I would still have some bad anxiety every once in a while but overall totally worth it. I also found that Benadryl really helps if you have anxiety with this at night. I was able to gain the confidence to start my own business and actually believe for the first time in my life I could truly accomplish something. I pray this med helps others like it’s helped me."

• Pr2...
• December 23, 2019

For Depression "Okay, I came back to rate again. It has now been about a little over a month on Wellbutrin and wow, it has saved my life. It was like a total switch in the way I think and feel every day! For years and years, I’ve been depressed, but this year was so bad. I didn’t care about myself. I was also so unmotivated, crying multiple times a day even while at work. I’d be triggered by anything and start having anxiety attacks. Now, I can finally say I am happy with my life! It’s like I can see my life clearly now, it’s no longer a fog. I don’t obsess over all the negative things. I have energy to go to the gym often and eat right, and I’ve lost over ten pounds. I have goals again and I have my self-confidence back. It feels unreal. I did miss a few pills every other day for about a week and a half, and I felt a difference. I cried once, and I was also binge eating. But I went back to normal once I went back to taking all my pills on time."

• Nat...
• June 6, 2021

For Depression "Just starting this med. The first couple days, I didn’t think it was doing much, but I noticed I couldn’t sleep for very long. I wasn’t as hopelessly sad as I had been the week prior, but I was experiencing an array of stomach-related side effects (constipated until I was very much no longer constipated, bloating, stomach aches, and VERY nauseous the first night). Fast forward a few days, I still can’t sleep very much. I’m artificially active is the best way to describe it. I’ve been pretty inactive throughout the pandemic, but I walked to get iced coffee in 90-degree heat, cleaned my apartment, had people over, then went to the gym later because I was so jittery and couldn’t sit still. It also has given me quite a bit of anxiety and some irritability alongside the constant need to be active. I hope that over the next few days, the anxious thoughts, stomach issues, and insomnia calm down."

• Tes...
• January 14, 2019

For Depression "I started taking generic Bupropion XL 150 mg once a day 8 days ago. The anxiety and depression I was feeling were paralyzing me from moving in any direction. I tried every natural option I could research. On day 1, I felt different, motivated, and better immediately. In the days following, side effects started. Heart palpitations, anxiety, fear of everything, nightmares, a rash on my neck, eye twitching, staring into space thoughtless, unable to make decisions, fear of leaving the house. Day 8, and I’m feeling much more at peace. I’m more focused on myself than issues I have with others. No insomnia and feeling less tolerant of binge drinking to calm down. I want to exercise, clean my house, set goals, eat clean foods, and I feel everything is going to be okay. My self-confidence is improved, and orgasms unaffected. I am hopeful that Wellbutrin was exactly what I needed to be the healthy person I need to be, no matter what happens in my life. I just needed a boost and reset."

• dde...
• August 28, 2014

For Depression "I started this 4 weeks ago. I was originally on Paxil but I was tired of its side effects. My doctor switched me to Wellbutrin after also trying Cipralex, Effexor, and Zoloft. It works great. I had almost no side effects when I started it (I did with every other medicine). It does increase anxiety for me though. Wellbutrin gives me more energy and makes me feel alive again. Because of the energy, I work out now which helps counteract the anxiety. It did not increase my sex drive BUT it made me normal. (Paxil made it so I wouldn't even let my husband touch me). I have lost the weight that Paxil made me gain and then some! I would recommend it to people for sure but if you have bad anxiety like I do, try being really active as well."

• Chi...
• December 5, 2014

For Depression "Recently I retired from public safety. I should have been happy and content to have a lot of free time. My friends all said I looked rested and better than I had in years. What they did not know is how depressed I was and how much I missed the work and my work friends. Reluctantly my doctor prescribed Bupropion HCL 150 mg for seven days then 300 mg daily in the AM. After the first day, I was already feeling better. I just finished the first two weeks and I'm feeling so much better. Occasionally I still have negative thoughts. Side effects include anxiety and an elevated BP. I'm happy with the results and believe the medication has taken me away from the edge. I will post updates periodically."

• gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2023

For Depression "I’m on day 5 of Wellbutrin. I’ve had severe anxiety and depression for the past 10 years, and I’m 26 now. I’ve been hospitalized twice for suicidal feelings. Tried all different kinds of medications for the past 8 years. I had no hope anymore. I switched doctors this week after getting fed up with my old psychiatrist, who I felt didn’t understand me and couldn’t give me the care I needed. My new doctor understands me, and she started me on Wellbutrin this week. The first day of taking Wellbutrin, I felt relief. The fog of hopelessness was lifted, and although my situation is still bad, I now feel like I have the ability to overcome it. Now on day 5, I’m feeling much better, like I can actually focus more on the present moment rather than being stuck in my head. Side effects have included dry mouth, some stomach issues, anxiety, and insomnia. My doctor gave me trazodone to sleep better, which has helped. Please do not lose hope or be scared to try medications. They can help."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2019

For Depression "I have been on antidepressants for decades. My P.A. put me on Zoloft, and I took it for months with no effect. I asked to try Wellbutrin, as it helped me back in my 30s. Been on it three weeks. I CANNOT explain how bad the anxiety is. I cannot sleep. I cannot speak well, nor can I remember words or their spellings. Let us not mention that sudden feeling of rage and anger. Decided to do some research and find other people's experiences, and here they are. Many with the same issues. Perhaps all of this would dissipate over time, but I can't live like this. I will discontinue using it, and I hope that this helps someone. Please keep fighting, NEVER give up. I'm going to keep searching for the right cure for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2015

For Depression "Wellbutrin SR 150s, which initially had positive outcomes on my depression, probably the best I've tried, and I've tried a lot in the past years. It took a bit to get the optimal dose. At 300 mg, it was causing a cascade of side effects: anxiety, palpitations, sweating. Doc helped me back down to 100 mg with no side effects. The depression is just as gone as with the initial 300 mg. Wellbutrin also developed a positive outcome in mere days - a major plus."

• AAn...
• November 13, 2014

For Depression "I was on Prozac and felt tired all the time, still depressed, and no sex drive. I thought maybe the dose wasn't enough and I was going through menopause, but the doc put me on Wellbutrin. I'm with the person above, I cannot believe in one day I felt better. I thought it was in my head. I made phone calls I would avoid because of anxiety, I got things done instead of sleep, and I felt so much happier next to my husband. Day two I woke up ready to start the day, completely the opposite of what I had been experiencing. Everyone is different, and you just have to see what works for you. Prozac is in a different class, and I just needed this antidepressant."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2025

For Depression "This medication was very hard to use, there was stomach pain and acid reflux. Sleep was poor, and I couldn't sleep more than 2 hours without waking at night. I became very agitated with anxiety and sadness that would come and go very fast. The agitation became worse, and I was looking for anything that irritated me to lash out and went into a rage and confronted others. My heart was always around 100 beats when I was at rest. I also had very strange thoughts that worried me I was losing control of my thoughts."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin has been amazing. I have anxiety, depression, ADHD & PTSD. It was hard getting used to this one as it amped me up a lot. Take with food as early as possible. The constipation and anxiety did subside. Now I can’t believe I’ve allowed myself to be so sad when this stuff even makes air blowing on my face feel incredible. Here’s what I found - after trying everything SSRI wise, if you have bad side effects right away, it’s not the right drug. Taking this Wellbutrin, I knew right away, was totally different. I did need Xanax to be a crutch with this at first because of the anxiety...but I was also tapering off gabapentin at the time so who knows why I was that anxious. So this is how “normal” people feel w/o depression...interesting. Lucky."

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I take this drug to help combat Major Depression (had for 1.5 years). I have also tried Paxil (made me crazier), Prozac (did nothing for me) and Effexor (worked well but the sexual side effects were worse than the depression). I started Wellbutrin at 150mg and slowly increased to 300mg after completely titrating off Effexor, had to increase to 450 because MD came back. So, here is the deal - at first this drug feels awful (realize that most antis are like this in the beginning). I had to stick with it for at least a month and the extreme anxiety has always normalized. But OMG - this is the first drug that motivates me to get out of bed and face each day. For me it helps to balance my down mood & 'urge to isolate' and sabotage my day."

• Jan...
• March 7, 2020

For Depression "DO NOT TAKE THIS IF YOUR PRIMARY ISSUE IS ANXIETY. I got on this medication because I was having trouble with anxiety and insomnia. My NP wanted to start me on Wellbutrin 150mg XL and I kept reiterating to her that I have no depression whatsoever, I’m just anxious, but she said it would help. Within 2 weeks, I was so nauseated, in a complete brain fog, my anxiety got so much worse, my heart would race, I was having panic attacks daily, couldn’t sleep, my mind was racing non-stop, and although I’ve never felt as if I had issues with depression, I was so depressed on this medication! I went from being very high-functioning with mild to moderate anxiety to completely useless on this medication. I called into work multiple times (which I had never done before - I’m a nurse). I couldn’t focus, was so disoriented, and felt like I was just floating. I stopped and feel much better after a few days and I got on a PRN benzo for anxiety."

• Anonymous
• June 18, 2009

For Depression "I have recently decided to start Wellbutrin after 2 years on Zoloft. Although I felt the Zoloft worked well, there were some unfortunate side effects. I asked my doctor if I could give Wellbutrin a try (I had also recently picked up smoking again so I mentioned that). Well, here's the good news... my mood has remained stable (I simultaneously tapered off the Zoloft). I have been better able to focus at work, cigarettes tasted disgusting, and I have noticed a decrease in my desire to engage in compulsive activities. The cons... food doesn't really taste all that great, I'm extremely thirsty, and I was initially a little on edge at first (this has since gone away). The other surprising effect was a marked improvement in sexual response."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2017

For Depression "This drug has saved my life! I have struggled with methamphetamine addiction for about 4 years now. The hardest part about quitting was the extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. They always caused me to relapse. My physician prescribed Wellbutrin and it has worked like a miracle. I have been clean for over half a year and feel like I have my old life back! My relationships are healing and my family feels like they have their son/brother back. I am back in college and passing my classes! I don't attribute all that to the drug. Counseling and AA were extremely helpful but I know it was Wellbutrin that got me through the horrible depression to the other side. Only upfront side effects I had were jitteriness and dry mouth."

• hso...
• April 24, 2016

For Depression "Probably saved my life. This is the first antidepressant I tried as I was scared of some of the nasty side effects of the SSRIs (sexual, weight gain, tiredness). I was on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for 1-2 months and then have been on 300 mg XL for 3 months now. Getting on it was a little strange, as I had some side effects of anxiety at first, but actually have not had a panic attack since starting. Just know that it doesn't really help with anxiety/OCD symptoms (but I've been going to therapy for that). Really made me motivated to get work done (never been the case for me) without that craziness feeling from Adderall. Very consistently good mood and makes me want to be alive. Also increased sex drive + motivation for exercise is a plus."

• som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

For Depression "I started bupropion 75 mg and was on it for 10 days. The first days, I was agitated and hypervigilant, had problems with driving as everything attracted my attention, and felt a bit more active. I became careless and a bit arrogant. My empathy and people-pleasing behaviors lowered. I could socialize, not feeling inferior. Slowly, the medicine lost effect. The next 10 days were bupropion ER 150 mg. It gave me grave depression, I feel like I am in a cage, extreme depression, and I feel people are all monsters. I still have empathy, but no joy, no happiness, nothing. I can study, and my brain fog is gone. I can focus if I eat something. Now I am on 300 mg bupropion ER. Still very depressed. No joy. My kidneys are starting to hurt, and I have some breathing problems and nasal dripping problems. Super aware of my surroundings, studying is easy. I have lost joy, and I sleep all the time. I have a dull headache. I feel like if I continue, I will have a mental episode."

• Con...
• January 5, 2014

For Depression "I've been taking bupropion 75mg twice a day for the past 6 weeks and I feel like I'm finally back to the real me. I'm 18 and have been dealing with depression, but this medication helped me tremendously. I was originally on Paxil, but due to sexual side effects, I switched to this and it restored my sex drive. I also have a little bit of anxiety, but this medication cleared that up as well. The first week was hard. I experienced heart palpitations, very anxious, ridiculous energy, and I was easily agitated. After the first week, those side effects slowly diminished and now I don't have them at all. That is the only reason I didn't give this medicine a 10. It saved my life. I HIGHLY recommend this to any who doesn't want sexual side effects."

• Lif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2025

For Depression "Before I started taking Wellbutrin, I was very tired, stressed, had difficulty concentrating, sad, and unmotivated. Within a week of being on 150 mg a day, I felt such a tremendous positive change. I sleep better too. Now I am actually looking forward to the rest of my life instead of dreading it. I feel inspired, more disciplined, and my mood is stable. I hope this medication continues to support me as a method in my toolbox to improve the quality of my life."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2015

For Depression "I spent a lot of time reading reviews, and it took me a while to even start the medication, but I finally said, 'Screw it, I'll try it.' After reading the reviews, most people said they felt better almost right away. So, after 2 months when I still wasn't feeling great, I started to get nervous. Then, 3 months approached and I started crying less and less, and I actually got excited to do things again, and by 4 months, I feel great! I'm so glad I stuck with it. If your depression is bad, this really can take up to 3 months, but don't give up! I did have to take Buspar with it because I'm just naturally an anxious person, and that helped with my anxiety and to balance it out. I now take 100mg of bupropion in the morning and 100mg in the afternoon, and it's just enough!"

• JXa...
• June 22, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was diagnosed with depression and panic disorder in 2013. The first medication I was prescribed was Zoloft, which turned me into a zombie. My doctor then switched me to Effexor, which had way too many side effects from mood and all the way to affecting my vision. I was then switched to Lexapro, which was great at masking the depression but made me gain 30+ pounds in less than a year and literally have zero motivation. 3 months ago, my doctor switched me to Wellbutrin and it's made the biggest difference in my life. In the first couple of weeks, my anxiety was a lot worse, but that went away entirely and I haven't had any other side effects. My energy is back, and I genuinely look forward to the next day."

• HHa...
• March 1, 2020

For Depression "I was on Celexa for a couple of years, but I flatlined and felt like a zombie. My psychiatrist switched me over to Wellbutrin. I was nervous to take it because it works with different neurotransmitters. Celexa works with serotonin while Wellbutrin works with dopamine. It felt like my eyes were being pulled up by magnets, it was hard to look forward, and I was dizzy. This subsided after a few weeks. My anxiety became way worse. Every day, I felt like all of my nerves were exposed. I overreacted to everything and caused a lot of fights. Then came the suicidal thoughts. I've struggled with these thoughts when I was off of meds, so to be flooded with them again was scary. These thoughts were invasive and more intense than I've ever experienced. Luckily, I was able to realize that it was just the medication, so I switched to Zoloft. Please be careful if you take Wellbutrin. If you get those dark thoughts, remember it is not you, it's the meds."