Sertraline for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• Igoby...
• October 2, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "I literally felt something happy the first day. I'm not kidding. I took my first pill at 6:15 a.m....at/around 10:00 a.m., I felt like I couldn't complete a sentence without thinking really hard about it... Then noon came, I got off early from work...I came home and felt fantastic. I felt good. I'm very in tune with my body. I can tell if I'm getting a cold sore days before I get one, and I can tell this/that just by taste in my mouth, or how I smell something. I take other meds, but this one, Zoloft, I actually felt something positive the first day. I believe this is going to be good for me. I used to take Paxil CR, but if I didn't take it absolutely on time, or whatever,...I was off for a week (or in jail).. no, I'm not kidding, my depression has taken me places you don't wanna know... My experience today is that I actually feel happier than I have in months... I guess I'm lucky that way! :)"

• IBSCr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have been taking Zoloft for several months. I have IBS, which flares up when I'm anxious, and Zoloft really helps with that. It has very few side effects, and I feel more like myself when I'm taking Zoloft. I do have one small complaint: when I miss a few consecutive doses, I tend to get dizzy. But that's it! Other than that, I have no issues with Zoloft. It's very subtle, and it certainly has improved my mood."

• HapaB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "I am a 34-year-old woman who has been living with depression since I was 12. Depression had me feel like I was Atlas (from Greek mythology) with a lifetime of struggle to roll a boulder uphill. Initially, I was against the idea of being on an antidepressant. I finally caved in when a break-up threw me into a tailspin of never-ending crying and sadness. At the doctor's office, he forewarned me that the first 6 weeks are going to be tough and to brave the storm until the medication builds up in my system. I had 3 weeks of side effects that had me feeling more depressed and fatigued. However, I got through it, and my life has changed for the better. Presently, I am more outgoing and actually feel like a 'normal' person again. I am finally truly and sincerely happy and have gained more friends because of that. If you are thinking about trying this medication but are still unsure, take the risk. I can't describe how great it is to finally have your life back."

• Anxiety...
• July 10, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been taking Zoloft for 8 years. It has created stability in my life. Prior to taking medication, I always felt off...anxious, depressed, emotional, dwelling on things, and this interfered with the quality of my life as well as affected my relationships and professional life. I take 50mg and I feel even-keeled and normal instead of a basket case of emotion. Nobody would ever know I'm taking a medication, and I'm often complimented on my temperament. I feel neutral, in control of my feelings, and everything is within normal range. If you are overly emotional, anxious, feel off-balance, and have difficulty feeling consistent in your life...this could help. I feel content and normal now."

• Amanda
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2022

Zoloft (sertraline) "This medication has changed my life. I used to feel depressed all the time, no motivation to reach any goals, leaving house was impossible, honestly no desire to live life. After 9 months on it I can say I am happy again. I’m laughing at silly things again, I wake up early and want to go outside and LIVE. I’m exercising all the time, meeting friends. Loving life again. I heard someone saying the other day “the worst thing you can do is depend on medication”. Mate I’ll tell you just once, the worst thing IN THE WORLD is to live depressed. Please give yourself permission to use this as a tool for the time that you need. Living life depressed is the worst possible thing and it steals amazing opportunities you could have in life. Depression changes your personality for the worst. I hope that if you’re still wondering if it’s worth it or not to give this a shot, you go for it. Even if it doesn’t work for you and you keep looking for a better fit. Things do get better❤️"

• Hope4U
• March 1, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "Teenage son was on Lexapro, then Zoloft. Gradual transition of 10mg Lexapro + 50 mg Zoloft for 2 weeks, then 3rd 50mg of Zoloft. Next 3 weeks were totally insane with side effects. Week 3, Zoloft increased to 100 mg with 50 mg of Seroquel for sleeping. We wondered if Zoloft was making everything worse, but we hung in there. So glad we did! By week 4, it seemed like everything reached an equilibrium point. It was like - my gosh, what is happening... the depression, anxiety, compulsive behavior went from a 10 to a 3. He was able to control & process thoughts, listen to advice, pause more to think things through before his responses, in general very talkative about everything. Something totally wonderful happened in the 4th week and continues to this day. He is now receptive to knowing the Zoloft medication has pulled him through a very dark place and is now voluntarily open to continuing therapy. For us, the Zoloft medication is working. Yes, it did take time & a lot of patience to see the results."

• Firew...
• January 18, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) "I went to the doctor for anxiety and was prescribed Lexapro, which has worked in the past for me, but for some reason it didn’t work this time. The doctor had me stop Lexapro immediately and start 25 mg of Zoloft. I started on 25 mg and increased over the next 4 weeks to 150 mg. Let me just say the next few weeks were horrible, and reading these reviews encouraged me and made me want to push through. I skipped over all the bad reviews to stay focused. I took Xanax at night just to help sleep but just powered through the day with nothing. I had lost 27 pounds in 5 weeks. I was beginning to think it wasn’t going to work. On the 5th week, I got up and couldn’t walk. Let me just say I felt a big difference going into the 6th week. The medicine finally kicked in. God heals by miracles and by medicine."

• Daddyo
• August 20, 2020

"Comments abound on this page regarding Sertraline's negative side effects. I don't understand why people bother to leave negative feedback as all side effects mentioned are in the information leaflet that come with the medication. Furthermore, most negative reviews are from folk who have not stayed on this medication long enough to experience anything positive. You need to give it at least 8 weeks to see the benefits, if you don't you may be missing a glorious opportunity to get better. Your doctor should tell you these things beforehand."

• Deedee
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 11, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "First of all, I wanted to write this several years ago but somehow never got around to it. Zoloft has changed my life. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life. In 2011 I finally started Zoloft. The first night I started my 25mg dose. The next morning I woke up and felt completely different. It was like a euphoric feeling. My body didn’t ache. I had more energy... fast forward 7 years. I still am using Zoloft and it has made me a better wife, more patient parent and overall less anxious and depressed."

• Johnn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "I'm 19 and Zoloft has been a LIFESAVER for me! I've had very bad generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, and mild depression. I recently had been on Xanax then Klonopin as needed, but I felt as if those types of medications wouldn't help me in the long run. I've been on 25 mg of Zoloft for a month and a half, and I feel WONDERFUL! The horrible, disabling anxiety I once had is almost nonexistent, and my depression melted away! My mood is stabilized, I have a lot of energy, focusing on school work is a synch, and I interact with others with confidence. Yes, I feel like a totally renewed, cleansed person with a constant sense of motivation! Zoloft saved my life! Little to no side effects either. Very mild antidepressant."

• Cat...
• April 25, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started Zoloft about 2 months ago. I was taking 25 mg to start, as I am very tiny. After about a month, I increased to 50 mg, and the results were felt within days. I'm not hitting my dangerous lows nearly as frequently, and when I do get upset, it feels tolerable. Yes, I still cry; no, I'm not happy all the time, but that's normal! For the first time in over 3 years, I understand what it feels like to be normal. PS-for those of you out there desperately looking for help, but not wanting to disappoint your loved ones who are opposed to taking psychiatric medication, do it for yourself. Here's what might happen: they don't work so you stop taking them, or they work and you never look back. Life is far too short to feel awful throughout it."

• Lou
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "It's my savior. I was in severe anxiety and depression for the last 6 months. It felt like there was no hope anymore. I started taking Zoloft, and today is my 4th week. It's not that I don't feel depressed anymore, I feel happy, enjoying every moment of life. I go to work full of motivation now. I feel like nothing can stress me out; I sound very confident in front of my colleagues. I am so thankful for this medicine. It gave me my potential, my efficiency, and my life back. No significant side effects, other than weight gain."

• 140756
• December 25, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft has been a life saver for me. I honestly don't know how I would've gotten through the past year without it. I had anxiety and depression, but after I started taking Zoloft, I was finally starting to feel myself again and my headaches have gone away. If you have moderate to severe anxiety and depression, I would highly recommend this. It truly saved me."

• Lisa
• September 23, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "Last February to April, I had a really bad bout with anxiety and depression. I tried Prozac and Cymbalta and had really bad side effects with both of them. I started 25mg of Zoloft in May 2020. About a month later, I went to 50mg and now am up to 75mg. I may even consider going to 100mg. The anxiety was better pretty quickly; the fatigue/depression took a bit longer, still some improvement needed, but so much better. I have also noticed that my PMS is barely noticeable. Very little to no agitation in the days before my period. My advice would be to increase slowly and allow time for improvement. It is gradual and can take months, but worth the wait."

• LL19
• June 25, 2019

"Hello, I am a 23-year-old male, and I have been on Sertraline for about 5 weeks now, and I'm now starting to feel the benefit. You really need to allow 6-8 weeks for the drug to work, so don't give up! The first two weeks were horrible. I couldn't eat, was fatigued all the time, and had dark thoughts. After research, I found out that this is possible at the start, so it's really important to know it's the drug, not you. Once you get through the first 2-4 weeks, it will get better. It's important to reach out to people, talk about how you feel, and meet with family and friends. Try to get out as much as possible. I know it's the last thing you want to do when feeling depressed and anxious, but it helps, because social relationships are what really help. Hold your loved ones close. It's crucial to get sleep, so don't feel like you're being lazy, because it helps with your mental well-being. Think positive and focus only on the present. You are not alone."

• Bette...
• July 16, 2010

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started taking 50mg generic sertraline about 2 weeks ago. I have had a very good experience with it and I love it. Thank God for this medicine and the improvements that it makes on the brain chemistry. Only experienced diarrhea for 1 day (which was okay for me because I've always struggled with constipation which only contributed to fatigue and depression). I'm more social (before I didn't care about doing much, even though I wanted to go out, when it came time to, I would end up going to bed), more easy going, less irritable and cranky. So much more patient with my kids. No side effects for me. Oh and I'm not eating ravenously at night because of stress and anxiety like I used to so it's helping me lose weight. Yay!"

• scotty
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been reading a lot of reviews on this site. Let me tell those who are new to this or thinking of going on sertraline. I have had horrible side effects with medication and got serotonin syndrome on citalopram. I was scared to death of going on sertraline. I'm on day 17 on 50mg, and I honestly say I've not had one single side effect at all. It's starting to hit me, and I feel amazing. One hundred times better than having anxiety. Wow."

• piano
• October 15, 2008

Zoloft (sertraline) "I'm writing this post because I spent a lot of time researching online about Zoloft side effects before I finally decided to try it for my OCD/depression. I made a mental note to let other people considering this drug know what it was like after I tried it as well. I was worried that it might cause weight gain and that there may be sexual side effects. I was on this medication for 2 years and DID NOT experience weight gain or sexual side effects. The first few months I was on it, I had some stomach upset and trouble sleeping, but that disappeared shortly after. I have maintained a consistent body weight (within 5 lbs.) for years, and Zoloft did not seem to affect my weight at all. I lost a few pounds at first because of the stomach upset."

• Miracle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "Coming on here to share my positive experience to add to the other great reviews that I read religiously to get me through one of the hardest times of my life. 6 weeks ago, due to overcommitting and overwhelming myself for months, my depression and anxiety came back full force. I started having suicidal thoughts multiple times a day and couldn’t even go to work. I started on 50mg of Zoloft. I’ve been on Prozac and lexapro in the past and don’t remember either of them helping but this has been a GAME CHANGER. It took 6 weeks but I finally feel like the normal unanxious happy person I used to be so long ago. Do not give up on this medication!"

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

Zoloft (sertraline) "I was crying over the weirdest things and didn't want to get out of bed. Then I started taking Zoloft 50mg daily, a month ago. I felt relief an hour after taking it. The side effects for me were stomach upset, decrease in appetite, and sleepiness. That only lasted a week. After three weeks I increased the dose to 100mg which my doctor suggested in the beginning. I have been on many different antidepressants since I was a teenager and this is the first one that I feel 'normal' on. I don't feel emotionless or stay on a fake happiness high. I feel relieved and can deal with the day-to-day stresses."

• Silva...
• May 26, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I was crippled with anxiety, depression, and nagging intrusive thoughts. Zoloft has allowed me to live again. Please don't allow the stigma and misinformation out there about antidepressants prevent you from getting help and finding relief. Once your body adjusts to Zoloft (this can take upwards of 2-4 weeks), you will find relief and peace. I used a pill cutter to cut the prescribed dose (25 mg) in half and took the half dose for two weeks. Then I increased it to the prescribed dose. This is much easier on the body. Please consider doing this so you're not overcome and discouraged by some of the initial side effects. Good luck, friends."

• George
• December 18, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been suffering with depression coupled with anxiety for over 10 years. It's been hell, ruining every aspect of my life (loss of relationships, my business, etc.). After seeing so many psychiatrists, I had lost hope and was getting very close to ending my life, so I tried to get help one more time. For the first time, I met a young doctor who listened. He prescribed me Zoloft 50mg. The change = I left my house within 2 weeks (major agoraphobia for 8 months), started talking to people, going out again with friends, preparing to launch my business again, and I feel happy. Not manic, HAPPY and measured. I'm praying that I stay this way. There is hope out there. Don't give up, guys. :)"

• Peach...
• June 24, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I developed depression a few months ago and felt that I had truly lost my mind. I was beyond sad, crying constantly, terrifying intrusive thoughts, lost all interest in hobbies and friends. I thought that was it for me. I didn't feel that I would ever be my normal self ever again. Zoloft has completely eliminated my depression. The first week was almost unbearable, but I cannot stress how much better I began to feel after about 2 weeks. It is a miracle drug. I truly cannot express how well it has worked for me."

• Jgano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft was life-changing for me. For a long time, I had doubts about starting an antidepressant. I took a chance and started with Lexapro. It was okay, but I was always so tired, and I felt like something was missing. So, I went to my doctor and switched to Zoloft, and I feel like this drug helped me in so many ways! I'm no longer worried about everything, I no longer don't want to go to work or school, I'm more social and happy. Zoloft gave me back my normal life, and I'm so grateful for it. If you feel generalized anxiety or panic disorder all the time, it is not normal. If you want to take a chance and start medication, you will see that it's not as bad as everyone thinks!"

• Alliey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I was on Celexa for a year and it wasn't working for me. Then my doctor prescribed me Zoloft and it's my fourth day taking it, and I love it. I finally have a clear head on my shoulders. And for the first time in a long time, I don't feel depressed at all. I would highly recommend this to anyone who suffers from depression."