Sertraline User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• brossi
• June 9, 2010

Zoloft (sertraline) for Depression "Without Zoloft, I would probably be dead or killed. I have been taking Zoloft for 19 years. Since my daughter was born, the doctors have tried to take me off, but the depression started again. I did counseling and reduced the dose, but to be completely off makes me mean. I snap at people, easily irritated, road rage, body feels like it will explode with anxiety. It has never affected my sex drive. No weight gain can be blamed on Zoloft, probably feeling more sociable and going out to eat has caused a little weight gain. No headaches. Thanks for reading and I hope I helped."

• Richard
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I remember reading all the reviews on this site in hope and desperation of feeling better. My anxiety was through the roof. The main problem was not being able to sleep, waking up in sweats, and not being able to stay asleep through the night. The sleep deprivation was feeding my anxiety. I didn't know what was happening to me as I never had anything like this before. I am going to be honest in my review and let anyone know who is going to take Sertraline: the first few days were awful - I was getting suicidal thoughts and was very worried, but after the third day it subsided along with any other side effects. I did appreciate my appetite being suppressed as I did need to lose some weight. If you stick with it after 2-3 weeks, my anxiety eased and now I am two months in, I feel about 99% me. I would also suggest having therapy as this helped me and have someone with you those first days when it can get bad. To anyone who is suffering at the moment, please give this a try. Very best wishes."

• KGrrrrl
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) for Depression "I suffer from SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, depression, and anxiety. All of my symptoms have increased as I've gotten older. Last year I took Lexapro, which was too numbing, affected my executive function, focus, short-term memory, and libido in a bad way. This fall, I decided to be proactive and got on 50 mg of Zoloft. Completely life-changing experience! Side effects were nothing compared to Lexapro. Maybe 1 or 2 days of mild nausea, slight insomnia for the first 2 nights. Now, at 5 weeks, I feel clear, happy, functional, and optimistic. Libido intact. Takes a bit longer to orgasm, but it's kind of amazing because it prolongs the intensity. Zoloft has truly changed my life for the better, hopefully it will continue to work; will take it forever if possible! Wanted to leave this positive review because there are so many negative ones out there, which don't paint an accurate picture of any drug. Negative experiences are always reported more than positive ones. :)"

• Anne
• January 18, 2009

Zoloft (sertraline) for Depression "I am 55 years old and have been taking Zoloft for over 20 years. For me, it has been a miracle medicine. I find I am much more on an even keel, and while some things still upset me, it's far less than without Zoloft. I find, too, I am much more rational in my thought processes and am more confident in the choices I make. I have several medical conditions that contribute to feeling depressed, overwhelmed, and yes, even suicidal, but since I began my therapy with Zoloft, I want to live. Without Zoloft, I did not. I encourage anyone who feels depressed to seek help by finding the right medication for you. Life is hard enough without having to cope with feelings of severe negative emotions. I am so grateful for whoever created Zoloft."

• Muchb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have now been on Zoloft for a solid 12 months (50mg). It has changed my life. I was prescribed it for depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - it has almost completely resolved issues I have had for most of my life. I hesitated in taking it due to side effects, mostly because I have always been obsessed with my weight. I'm happy to report that if anything, I have dropped weight in the last year. I no longer am tempted to binge eat and just lead a healthy and active lifestyle because I am happier. I really wanted someone to read this who was in my position - who was too scared to try it because of side effects. My only side effects are dry eyes, I need to sleep 8 hours a night (instead of 5-6) and that's the worst of it!"

• Mich
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) for Depression "This drug saved my life. I started having chronic anxiety and depression very suddenly, and insomnia. I am so thankful for the positive and encouraging reviews on websites like this, because they helped me push through this difficult time, and I hope to do the same for someone else. I agree with many other reviews that it does get worse before it gets better. My anxiety increased at first, I think out of desperation for each day to finally be the day I would feel normal again. But it takes time and patience, and there will be ups and downs. I started seeing improvement around 4 weeks, but took a dive again around week 5 before increasing my dosage. Now I am at about week 7-8 and I would say 90% myself again. I highly recommend doing therapy too, and Xanax has helped curb the increased anxiety while my body adapts. Side effects are minimal, just nausea if I don’t take it with food. Zoloft helped me get my mind back under control and enjoy life again!"

• LS2020
• October 12, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) for Postpartum Depression "My baby is 9 weeks old today. I have been on Zoloft for the past month. I promised myself that if this drug helped me, I would come on here and give a review. Just after my 3rd child was born, I hit absolute rock bottom. I cried at least 30 times per day. I couldn’t face going into the nursery or making dinner. I felt short-tempered and despair. My doctor gave me Zoloft. I started on half a tab at night (now 1 tab). The first 3 nights I was ill. I was rocking with anxiety. I was gasping for breath and I swore black and blue that I was not going to continue with the tablet. Then the morning would come and I felt a bit better. I have not cried once since. I am strong in the mind. I can enjoy my kids. I can put makeup on, do my hair, do groceries, bathe all kids, have dinner. I am me again. I do not feel lowly. Do I feel elated and like I am living on cloud nine? No. I feel strong. I feel capable and calm. I wish you all the best in recovering from and seeing the good side of life again."

• Snakeye
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) for Major Depressive Disorder "Greetings! I have been on 13 antidepressants in the last ten years for my MDD and GAD. Some worked better than others, but most pooped out after a relatively short time. Others gave me dreadful side effects like akathisia. I am seeing my third psychiatrist and he has suggested Zoloft. I have very little hope of it working. I begin my regimen on Friday so that I have the weekend as a slight buffer before work on Monday. Positive thoughts and prayers are appreciated. I will follow up this 'review' in a few months whether successful or not. I am a married father of four and I just want to be a better husband to my wife and a better father to my children. Most of my friends and colleagues would be surprised if they knew the depth of my mental illness. I hope that all who are reading this find peace and healing."

• Jessie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been battling anxiety for about 6 years. I suffer from really bad intrusive thoughts. I’ve taken Zoloft (sertraline) in the past and it really works. I started to feel like the normal me again, no intrusive thoughts anymore. I decided to stop taking it, and what happened 1 year later and 3 months my anxiety came back, and my thoughts too. So, I am back on Zoloft. I am on 50mg. I’ve been taking it for 1 week and a half already. I am again experiencing side effects like anxiety spiking, sweating, insomnia, and upset stomach, but it only lasts for a couple of days. I have experienced the side effects before when I first took Zoloft. I just hope this review helps people who are going through the same situation that I am experiencing. What I do recommend is to stick with the Zoloft. The first days feel like a nightmare, but then one day you will wake up and no more anxiety and intrusive thoughts."

• Stone
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) for Depression "I’m 50 and have struggled with anxiety because of my 26-year relationship with my wife. After 60 days, I don’t have the breakdowns anymore and can function. Zoloft helped me to close off to her and begin to feel safe emotionally. It really works."

• Zubzub
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "What can I say... I was initially on sertraline for 3 years, and I felt the best I’d felt in a long time, so I decided to slowly come off. I came off them, and depression hit me hard last week, so I was restarted on them. My depression and anxiety are horrifically worse than before I started the medications, but past experiences and the reviews on here remind me that the first 2 weeks are horrific, then things pick up. Long-term, these are fabulous & I cannot wait till I’m back to that feeling because my days at the moment are a constant struggle of tears and anxiety. But I know, I will get there."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) for Panic Disorder "Around a month and a half ago, I had hit a VERY LOW point in my life after a panic attack. I knew there was something wrong. I couldn’t sleep, I was CONSTANTLY worrying, and I felt very empty. I had bad tremors, I felt numb, and could not stop crying. I developed general anxiety disorder. It put me in a deep spiral. After being prescribed Klonopin to help me sleep, I knew I had to try out a medication. My doctor put me on Zoloft 25mg, and a week later bumped me to 50mg. Zoloft literally saved my life. I never thought I could begin to feel myself again, no worrying, not anxious to do things, and very much more present. I will say it gets much worse before it gets better. Stick it out. Literally changed my life."

• Hannah
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 10, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "This time last year I was reading reviews on here wondering whether I should start sertraline or not. I had previously had an awful experience with citalopram, so I was scared of taking another SSRI. The reviews really put me off. People tend to voice only a negative experience rather than a positive one, and I promised I would write a review if I had a positive one with sertraline, so here we go! Sertraline has absolutely changed my life. This time last year, I couldn't leave the house. I felt constant dread, my stomach was always upset, I couldn't sleep, and I would cry all the time. After being on this medication for 11 months, I am now in university, in a relationship, see my friends, don't cry over everything (I can still cry), I don't have any issues with orgasms, and my sex drive has actually increased! I can just nip to the shop like it's no biggie! I'm loving life again!"

• you...
• July 22, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have OCD, and honestly, this medication has given me my life back. This was the second med I took, Lexapro was horrible for me. I have been taking Zoloft for 3.5 months. I was also seeing an OCD therapist through NOCD. You will definitely see better, faster results if you use this medication in conjunction with therapy. I first did have some negative side effects: GI upset, increased moodiness, fatigue, etc. This lasted for 8 days, and with dosage increases I also felt wonky for a few days. I also lost weight, which was an added bonus. :) Please know this med is not a magic pill, it does take time to work, which can be terribly frustrating at first. But WOW, I cannot tell you what a different place I am in. I just feel like myself again. I do still have intrusive thoughts, but I am ruminating much less, and I no longer give these thoughts attention. My anxiety is significantly less, and I am just so much happier. God bless everyone, I know OCD can be tormenting, but you have GOT THIS!!!"

• Things...
• January 3, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I had a random thought one day that has felt like it destroyed my life. I had the worst thoughts imaginable, and it had gotten so bad to where I had to take a leave of absence at work and could not stop crying. I had thought about committing myself because I felt like I was losing my mind. I started working with an OCD therapist that confirmed I had Pure O. It helped me by doing ERP and ACT that I was able to go back to work and manage to live life. I was still struggling every day, and meditation was my only way to calm myself. I'm on Zoloft 25mg now. I have had no side effects. I noticed being able to see my thoughts clearly and distinguish what’s real and what’s in my head now. I am enjoying life and feeling more happy in every aspect. I still get thoughts, but they don’t bother me since I don’t feel the need to ruminate or find out what’s 'true' anymore. I plan to stay on this low dose as just enough to help me while I continue to do the work."

• Andrea
• March 1, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I used to cry uncontrollably, be extremely irritable, uncomfortable in my body, lethargic, so depressed I couldn't get out of bed, have suicidal ideation, etc. Now with Zoloft, I have NONE of those symptoms anymore. My relationships are no longer being torn apart. I don't feel embarrassed by illogical mood swings or uncontrollable blabbering. I don't cry myself to sleep. I feel happy, optimistic, peaceful, and completely BALANCED. Zoloft has given me my life back. I had to stop taking it for 2 months due to a different health issue. ALL of my symptoms returned. I was basically losing my mind for two months. A couple of weeks back on Zoloft and I was again calm, happy, peaceful. I don't have any noticeable side effects. I started at 25mg for the first 5 months (still got quite lethargic and depressed) and now I am on 50mg, and I'm like all those women running through fields in white dresses in tampon commercials. Who knew, it isn't the tampons making them so happy...it's the Zoloft!"

• Edman
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) for Social Anxiety Disorder "I was in a really bad place. I have had social anxiety most of my life due to trauma in my early life. After experimenting with LSD and having children, my symptoms worsened dramatically. I started therapy and after a year, I wasn't getting any better. My Dr. suggested Zoloft because along with anxiety, I had a lot of symptoms of PTSD. I felt it right away. I started at 25mg, then up to 50mg, and now I am at 100mg. I am a person that couldn't make phone calls, wouldn't leave the house alone, and I am at 0% anxiety. My mind is clear for the first time in years. Someone else used the term fearless and said they could tell people things they never would before. I kind of feel that way as well. I had side effects each time I raised the dose, but they went away after about 2 weeks each time. It was a little rough at first, but I hung in and the last few months have been some of the best of my life."

• lisalee
• February 3, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was so worried about side effects as my anxiety is based around health anxiety. I have been on them for 12 weeks, so here are my side effects: I had a week of needing a number two and needing to go immediately, it was very loose. I had extreme tiredness which lasted 2 weeks, and for the first 2 weeks, I didn't have much of an appetite. I had night sweats which lasted the longest of all the side effects. At 5 weeks, the only side effect I have is I find it takes me longer to climax. I sweat more than I used to. I have had 3 times where I have talked myself down from a panic attack - which is great considering before, I was having a panic attack a day and I couldn't even talk myself down from one. Week 5 was my turning point; I felt amazing, the things I worried about seemed a distant memory, and I could function properly without this worry on my shoulders or working myself up resulting in a panic attack. Please be kind to yourself. I wish you all the best in your journey to better mental health."

• Carson
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 12, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) for Panic Disorder "I started having panic attacks/anxiety since I was 16 years old. Things got real bad in my late 30s/early 40s. I would drink alcohol at night to self-medicate. I tried therapy and my doctor would always try to put me on an antidepressant. I was too scared, thinking it would make it worse! After having a nervous breakdown and being hospitalized 6 years ago, they put me on Zoloft 50mg and Lamictal 25mg, and I finally have my life back! It was like a light switch finally came on in my head! So much more calm, not worrying all the time, not wanting alcohol to cope. I haven't had a drink in 6 years! It has truly been a lifesaver for me, and I give God all the glory. Side effects were minimal; 1st week - insomnia and night sweats, after that, completely fine! I wish all of you the best of luck, and it will get better! Trust me, I thought I was hopeless!"

• Suz
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "For anyone struggling with the first few days/weeks/months, please stick with Sertraline. I was where you are now and I used to read all the reviews and pray that it worked for me. It did! I was no longer having racing heart, negative thoughts, and an absolutely crushing feeling of anxiety in my stomach every morning when I woke up, it just all went away! At the beginning, I couldn't even get out of bed, and now I am back at work, enjoying my family, my beautiful grandchildren. I started on 50mg and now take 100mg daily. Please stick with it, and I hope it works for you!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2020

For Depression "Back in February, I started having hot flushes, then felt dizzy and odd, a bit down. Then, a week later, I had anxiety, which I had the same in 2007 when my mum died. So, my doctor put me on sertraline. I went from a dose of 25mg to 50mg and for the first two months, I had every side effect: headaches, blurred vision, cloudy brain, feeling sick, anxiety, up and down days. But I came on this group to keep positive and kept with them. Now, 5 months on, I'm almost back to myself. I do have odd days, but that's life, and I just get over it. So, for anyone just starting sertraline, please be ready for a few weeks of feeling really rubbish, but believe me, you will soon start to feel better, and it will work for you. So, hang in there, as we all deserve to be happy."

• megabs
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I suffer from anxiety and derealization. This medication is a lifesaver. I rated it a 9 because the side effects are horrific. If you are just starting off, please give it time. It took me 8 weeks to start to feel normal again. I would read all the reviews trying to find an answer, but instead I put myself down reading the negative ones. Be patient and be kind to yourself. It is hard, and you do feel like it's never going to get better. I promise it will, hang in there. I was in such a dark place, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't expect to feel better overnight, it is such a gradual thing, and it will take time, but you will get there!! One thing I would say is don't bottle it up, if you are having a bad day, speak to someone. Don't let it feel like you are going backwards because everyone has bad days."

• 43...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have dealt with ups and downs, anxiety, social anxiety, depression, etc. for years. My life overall is normal and I managed the episodes, but I always knew they were there and didn't like feeling that way. I am married, we have children, combine that with everything else, and at times it was just too much. The doctor suggested Zoloft. I was nervous at first and really didn't know what to expect. In fact, I waited a month or two to even fill the prescription. The side effects were obvious at first: dizziness, tiredness, minor confusion. I don't want to scare anyone because I still functioned. I was still able to work, take care of the kids, everything was pretty much normal, but I could tell my mind was a bit off. After about a month, the side effects faded away. After two months, my mind became clear, and my attitude towards life improved dramatically. Little things didn't bother me anymore. I started working out, and that didn't bother me anymore. My wife would argue with me about normal marriage stuff, but I wouldn't yell back. In fact, I was able to see how foolish most of the fighting was and how pointless it was to yell back. My work life improved, my conversations with other people improved. I found myself more interested in what the person was saying and focusing more on what they were saying. At a follow-up visit with my doctor, he asked if I'd like to stay on the medication. I told him that my life has never been better and my mind never more clear, so why would I choose to stop. He agreed and was happy with my progress. He initially prescribed 100 mg, but I found 50 works well for me at this point. So, every night before bed, I take my pill and wake up the next morning feeling ready to go instead of wanting to stay in bed. For those just starting or thinking about starting this medication, I can honestly tell you it has changed my life for the better. Initially it was rough, but after a while all that fades, and you're left feeling really good. For me, it took about two months; for others, it may take longer or shorter. I hope this helps as I read a lot about this medication prior to starting and found a lot of the write-ups were negative. I honestly think those people may have other issues or conditions that this medication can't help, or they may have not been able to get through the initial break-in period."

• redun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) for Social Anxiety Disorder "When I say Zoloft changed my life, I mean Zoloft not only changed but SAVED my life. It is the quickest acting medication for anxiety I have ever been on, along with being the one with the least side effects. I was having such awful anxiety that it was crippling me and making it unbearable to live. I started taking Zoloft (50mg) and that worked for me but I still had an anxiety attack here and there, upped to 75mg and it has completely changed my life for the better. My body feels calm and at peace."

• Me789
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I could do a commercial for this medication. It has completely turned everything around for me. I have always had anxiety, but it became significantly worse after having children. I feared being alone, ruminating thoughts, insomnia, panic over the insomnia, feeling like the worst mother, feeling like I couldn't care for myself or my children. I fought taking medication for so long. I finally gave in. I started with 25 mg and moved up to 50 mg. I began to feel better in a week, and I felt the full effects by 4 weeks. It has given me my life back. I'm happy. I'm not stressed. I feel normal again!"