Wellbutrin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lee...
• October 4, 2015

For Depression "I'm on day three. 150 mg. Today I experienced anxiety about two hours after taking it. It lasted 25 minutes, and I went for a walk. After the walk, I felt better. I have never taken anything before, but I'm 46, and for the last year, I've changed. Maybe age, but I've lost my patience and have a sugar addiction. Haven't been sleeping. Now, three days in. Slept well the last three nights... less desire for sugar. Less angry and able to recover aggressive behavior. Anyway, I'm hoping to slim down and be the laid-back person I've always been before menopause started."

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

For Depression "I’ve been on Wellbutrin for about 2 months. I take 200 mg a day. I’ve noticed it’s really helped with my moods, and I've cut back on cigarettes a lot, but I went from wishing I was dead to having a fear of dying. This medication has made my anxiety so much worse to where it’s impossible to fall asleep. I can’t stop having panic attacks. I never cared about death until I started taking this. I go to my doctors in a few days, and I honestly think I’m just going to go back to my 20 mg Lexapro! It’s really made me a better person personality-wise, and it’s my thoughts, but I’d rather be a real cow than have panic attacks and new fears."

• dep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2015

For Depression "I have tried many things in the past. Usually, something will work for a while, then I increase, then I either stop without MD approval because I think it doesn't help anyway, or I switch. I have been on Zoloft 100-150 mg daily over the last 2 years. Depression has turned into anxiety and borderline depressive psychosis. I was told to cut my Zoloft to 50 mg and start Wellbutrin 75 mg daily. This is the first week. So far, I have more energy, decreased appetite, less irritability, and have been speaking to people again-especially without yelling. I feel like I want to do things again. But I am still having brief moments of anxiety-still new med. I do have dizziness at times, and my heart pounds like I am dehydrated when I stand sometimes."

• Nao...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2019

For Depression "Started taking Wellbutrin for depression and anxiety, and it has been awful! Started on 150 mg for the first three days, then went up to 300 mg. This was the worst thing to take if you have anxiety associated with your depression. I've always had anxiety, but not this bad! It made it so much worse, and I was paranoid, having panic attacks, and couldn't sleep. I will never take this again and do NOT recommend this at all."

• Wel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

"My husband went to our doctor for anxiety, and the doctor told us that my 35-year-old husband was bipolar and put him on Wellbutrin XL. After 6 days, he was being another person! Raging, paranoid, delusional, not the man I married and share a child with. We called the doctor and complained of the side effects, including the scary delusions he was having, and I reminded the doctor of my husband's family history of suicide. The doctor said that the Wellbutrin XL protocol was to double the dosage, and he would see us again in 12 days! The next day, my husband shot himself on our couch!!! My first cousin, raised as sisters, was committed against her will for suicidal thoughts while on Wellbutrin XL!! PLEASE BE SAFE!! IF YOU HAVE ANY ODD SYMPTOMS, STOP TAKING AND GO TO THE ER!"

• DRA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2019

For Depression "This did not work, if anything, it made me feel worse. My anxiety was out of this world, and my depression got worse as well. I was on Lexapro 20 mg and hoped for a change. Well, I was hoping this would work, but it did not. I was on the verge of feeling I was losing my marbles. I hope for others it will help. Back to Lexapro 20 mg."

• sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Depression "I initially took this drug to quit juuling (a type of vape). I tried to do it cold turkey but could not as I slipped into bouts of depression when I couldn't juul. I tried Wellbutrin, on the first day, I felt lighter. I had a fantastic workout, like, better than I ever had. After 2 weeks on the drug, I quit juuling. I had some cravings for a while but got through it. Now, about a month after I started, I upped my dose to two 150 mg XRs because my depressive thoughts/addictive tendencies came back. This light, energized, ready to take on the world feeling was awesome, amazing, almost a little too intense. About three days into taking 2 150 mg XRs, I had a panic attack, like, really bad, had to sit in the health center with the lights off for several hours. I don't know, I love the good effects of this drug. I mean, I'm enjoying life, feeling things so deeply, having sex (!!) and getting in the best shape of my life. But the anxiety may end up being too much."

• JKL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2013

For Depression "I started on 150 mg for the first month and was raised to 300 mg after that. I began having weird side effects such as uncontrollable jaw clenching so hard it would give awful headaches. I also would violently twitch while relaxing before going to sleep. I experienced insomnia. Last, my sense of smell was very heightened and the smells would make me feel nauseous. I had suicidal thoughts even though I didn't ever want to do that. I continued to feel depressed, and in my opinion, it intensified my anxiety."

• com...
• December 31, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on 150 mg Effexor for nearly a year and continued suffering with depression and anxiety. It affected my libido to the point that I couldn't stand being touched by my husband. I've been on Wellbutrin for nearly three weeks, and it's been a miracle for me. My energy level is up, I can focus again, and my libido has increased. The only negative I have had is it doesn't help my anxiety."

• cis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2017

For Depression "I switched to Wellbutrin after a year of Zoloft, mostly due to weight gain (I'd gained about 20 lbs. in a year). I started taking Wellbutrin 2x a day with a plan to eventually increase to extended release, but the meds kept me up all night. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep a night, even with Zzzquil. My sleep was extremely restless, and I woke up about every hour. I called my doctor and asked if I could switch to the extended release version, but she said it would probably be the same situation. I did like how the meds made me feel. Very little depression, and I felt super energized and productive. Honestly, I was almost too wired; I was very jittery and almost a bit manic."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2010

For Depression "I have been battling with depression for years and recently hit a plateau while taking Prozac. Not just with my depression but with my weight as well. I did some research online about Wellbutrin, read many reviews, and decided to ask my doctor for a prescription. It was the best decision I could have made. I feel so much better, not just mentally but physically. I have finally been able to lose weight again and feel good about my life. I am not sure about others, but my side effects were a small headache and a little anxiety to begin with, but it subsided within 2 weeks. I will never switch to anything else."

• Cou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 8, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been off and on this medication for about 8 years. I originally started it to help me quit smoking (which worked wonders for me, I was able to quit) and later was put back on it for seasonal depression disorder. It helps me a lot with depression, especially as it worsens in the winter. Side effects I experience are increased anxiety, heart palpitations, increased heart rate. I've been on 300 mg (150 mg twice a day) before, and my anxiety was horrible. If you're on a higher dose and suffer with anxiety, you may want to try a lower dose. I currently take 150 mg a day, and it's very helpful. It gives you that spark of motivation you need in the mornings."

• Fin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2024

"I took a dosage of Wellbutrin 150 mg in delayed-release tablets for years. The drug improves motivation, improves overall function and agility of action, and therefore indirectly reduces some anxious thoughts and, on the other hand, seems to increase physical anxiety symptoms. A good cure for depression that includes anxiety and less good for anxiety is primary. Does not cause obesity or impaired libido."

• Rob...
• September 1, 2022

"By far the best antidepressant I've ever tried. The other two were Lexapro and Zoloft. Both left me foggy, and I always felt a bit disconnected from the flow of things, especially socially. Started Wellbutrin, and literally within a couple of days, felt amazing. The first thing I noticed was this excited feeling of wanting to jump out of bed to start the morning. Super motivated to get stuff done, following through on projects. Dancing to music while cleaning the house type of stuff. And it lasted all day. Life changing. Find the right dose for you. It works pretty quickly once dialed in. Note: Before starting Wellbutrin, I had what I would call moderate depression (of the unproductive and slow-moving kind) and a bit of social anxiety. I did have panic attacks, and sometimes I was agitated for no reason. I give Wellbutrin an A+ with gold stars. 10/10."

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "After five months of a deep depression, I went to see a psychopharmacologist who suggested 300 mg Effexor with 300 mg of Wellbutrin. At 150 mg Wellbutrin, I did not have much progress. Once we increased to 300 mg, I felt so much better. I still have some anxiety, but the darkness has been lifted!"

• Jan...
• April 9, 2016

For Depression "I have had episodes of depression throughout my life. I have been on SSRI meds off and on. They never seemed to help, and side effects were horrible, tired, lack of energy, sexual side effects, increased anxiety. After my son was born, I experienced the worst depression and anxiety. After over 3 years, I finally went to seek help and refused to take SSRI meds. They first put me on Buspar for anxiety, which is a great alternative to other addictive meds. Then they added 150 mg of Wellbutrin once in the morning. The first day, I felt like I actually woke up for the first time in 3 years, had energy, but after a week, felt like it wore off too quickly. I am being upped to 300 mg XL and hoping I'll get better results. Still, best med I've ever tried!"

• kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2023

For Depression "I started taking Wellbutrin because I am in a fast-paced nursing program. At first, I thought it was working well. It hit me within 30 minutes of taking it. I took it for 3 weeks, and things got worse, I felt so anxious I would cry, and I couldn’t go out because I was panicking so badly. I started to get really bad insomnia and really bad thoughts every second of every day. I stopped taking it, and I am better most days now. Everyone is different, and some things work for some, and for others, it does not."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

For Depression "I was on Wellbutrin for 3 days, and it gave me massive paranoia, anxiety, and felt like I was going crazy. When I was on a walk, I was seeing my brother's face in guys who were walking by. If you are on Wellbutrin and experience anything like this, please get off of it immediately. Everyone is different, this does work well for some. Medication is all about trial and error! They are switching me to Effexor 37.5 mg, and I’m scared, but we will see."

• soy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2014

For Depression "Didn't work. I was given it on top of Remeron. It helps in a way. But I needed some energy boost. Hoping Wellbutrin would work. All my anxiety and suicidal thoughts hit me like a truck. Had to discontinue taking."

• btz...
• July 6, 2019

For Depression "Ugh, Wellbutrin. I’ve taken it off and on for three years, and let me tell you, if you have binge-eating disorder (BED), this is one of the WORST drugs to take. I don’t think it helps me depression-wise at all, and my anxiety just gets heightened to an 11. I’m constantly paranoid, like to the point where I’m a raging hypochondriac who is afraid of being poisoned and can’t leave the house. I had anxiety pre-Wellbutrin, but NEVER this extreme. The reason I don’t recommend this to anyone with BED (or people who fear weight gain) is because every time I try to come off it, I’ll go into a binge-eating frenzy. Like, I’m ravenous 24/7, and I can’t seem to get control of my appetite no matter how hard I try. Sure, it’s nice to go back on it and lose 10 pounds without much effort, but those appetite suppressant effects wear off quickly and it’s not worth the levels of paranoia (and in no way does it counteract the 20+ pounds I gain when I attempt to stop taking it)."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2021

For Depression "I have found Wellbutrin to be the best for me. I've tried Zoloft, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Adderall, Vyvanse, Prozac, and Strattera. These others made me too agitated or too zombie-like. No dry mouth, no jaw clenching, no yawning, no RLS, no anxiousness, no headaches with Wellbutrin/Bupropion. Feel uplifted, more my old self, laugh and love easier, and anxiety a bit better. Less achy too! My long-term memory has even improved. I don't mind the vivid dreams, kind of fun. I do have some side effects which make me wish and plead for a lower dosage to be available. I'm taking 150 XL here in the USA. I really wish they'd make a 75 XL for sensitive types like me. I often get into a hyperfocus mode with this dosage of Wellbutrin. I can get a ton of reading done, internet research, etc., but then procrastinate things of higher priority. Please, manufacturers, please offer 75 XL as well. I think you'd be helping a ton of people."

• Huc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Depression "Started this med 3 weeks ago for anxiety. Have had bad constipation and bowels are black in color. My stomach is bloated, pains in my stomach, anxiety is worse, hair is falling out, memory problems, nasty, agitation, get upset and scream, feels like I have a lump in my throat. Just worse now since taking this med. I stopped it today and feel much better. Don't want to take this med any longer, it's not for me. It's really bad for my body."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have taken Wellbutrin twice before and started it again. YOU NEED TO GIVE IT TIME TO WORK!!! People come in here after 3-4 days and have expected a miracle. Your body is getting used to it and will have some side effects at first. THEY GO AWAY!!!! For my first time, I had to get off of it due to breastfeeding, but on it, I felt happier and don’t have anxiety, etc., with it. It was easy to get on as well. My second time, I was happier, pretty much no anxiety, and lost 15 lbs. I don’t remember why I got off it. I had to beg my doctor to put me on it, and he wouldn’t, so I simply found another doctor who listened to me. It’s the best choice for me. I have depression and horrible anxiety. I quit two jobs due to the anxiety. This is my miracle med. We are all different though, but don’t give up so easily. It works! And an added bonus is some weight loss..."

• dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "This was the only anti-depressant that I've taken that actually made me worse. Most of the others, Zoloft, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Prozac, either helped a tiny bit or not at all, but never worse. Wellbutrin raised my anxiety sky high. I'm sure it may not be the case for others, but I wanted to share my experience. Good luck to anyone who does try this."

• Hel...
• August 31, 2015

For Depression "I started Wellbutrin about 2 and a half weeks ago, and my anxiety and depression are worse. I am crying all the time, super anxious, and can't relax. Has anyone else had this problem? I take 30 mg Prozac and 150-225 mg Wellbutrin. I am scared to continue."