Sertraline for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Jodie
• May 31, 2018

"I've struggled with anixety for 15 years and Sertraline was the last hope after 18 months of talk therapy, CBT and mindfulness training. I felt a failure when the doctor advised to go onto these tables due to the stigma and effort not to lean on tablets as a crutch. I regret my hesitation as I could have saved years of suffering. Its been 8 weeks on 50mg and I'm starting to rebuild my life and make plans for the future. I'm starting to trust my thoughts which used to be scrambled and my emotions are more in control, thank goodness :-) The stigma can hold people back but once you take the plunge that concern will fall to one side and I no longer care what people think who haven't been in the same fight battling through each anxiety episode hoping to make it through the day without causing too much damage. This medication may not be right for everyone and you may have to try a different one but it's worth finding your tablet cure as they can work wonders in getting you back to yourself"

• Svach...
• November 16, 2015

"I was originally nervous about taking this medication, but I reluctantly began taking 25 mg in the evening. After 3 weeks I definitely noticed a great improvement in my mood, but my sleep or lack of it, was miserable. After the 4th week on sertraline and .5 mg of clonazepam at night, I honestly feel back to normal with normal sleep patterns and appetite. I am at week 6 on both meds and life is great! Trust your doctor, take the meds. Get back to enjoying life!"

• amy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2021

"Sertraline saved my life. If you’re thinking about it but too scared just know that the side effects in the first couple of weeks (headaches, low motivation, tiredness etc) are soo worth It when you begin to see the benefits. After 4 weeks the side effects had completely subsided, my anxiety and panic attacks significantly reduced, by 6 weeks my depression had lifted. Now I’ve been on them for around 3 months and I feel like I’ve got myself back. I haven’t had a panic attack for over a month when I used to have them daily, I’m so glad after putting it off for too long that I eventually tried meds."

• Clicky
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2021

"I have been suffering with anxiety for the past 6 weeks. I have taken sertraline a few years ago so I thought I would try it again. It is now 10 days in and I must admit I am not feeling good. Tummy pains nausea and headache. I am going to stick it out and reading the reviews really helps. Keep looking at the calendar and really hoping it won’t be long before feeling normal again. It is now 4 weeks taking sertraline. I definitely felt a little better the past 5 days however today. Terrible upset tummy and anxiety. Just hoping it is a blimp and tomorrow will be a better day"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2012

"For three months I suffered from debilitating nausea (without vomiting). I couldn't get out of bed because I constantly felt like I was going to vomit. It was absolutely horrible and I could not figure out what was wrong with me. I've always been an anxious/stressed out person but never thought that it was out of the ordinary. Finally my family forced me to go to the doctor and she told me that because of my upcoming life events (getting married, starting a new career, moving out) and because of my Type A personality, it's likely I have a slight chemical imbalance in my brain which could be causing my extreme nausea. I was so reluctant to take the sertraline, but am SO glad that I did! My nausea is GONE and I can live life again!"

• altosax
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2016

"I have been suffering from depression and anxieties for many years. When I was starting high school, I was prescribed with Paxil, and had taken that for 14 years. During my third year of college, when I was 22, I found out that I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder, because I worried more than the average person. It was only last year that I found out that Paxil was no longer effective, so my doctor suggested that I gradually switch over to Zoloft. My doctor informed me that Zoloft also helps ease anxieties. I took her word for it. Since Paxil and Zoloft are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it really is not that hard to make a switch. Zoloft has definitely caused my worries to decrease. I sleep better as well."

• Nikola
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2019

"I've found this site really helpful in understanding what may/may not happen when I start the medication. I started sertraline at 50mg for anxiety and depression over a month ago. Initially I felt incredible after a couple of days, accompanied by some nausea and on/off sleep issues. Once the side effects wore off, so did the euphoria I'd been feeling. I went back to feeling normal, that being anxious and overthinking everything. My doc bumped me up to 100MG and the same thing happened again. I'm now in my third week on 100mg and if anything you just feel on edge. I've seen a few reviews on here referring to the patience game and I'm wondering whether I should indeed stick it out for a few weeks? Don't get me wrong, I know that euphoria feeling was not what I should be expecting, but I'm just hoping I stop worrying as much and chill out a bit! Thanks in advance to anyone who has a minute to offer their thoughts Cheers"

• Satos...
• July 14, 2017

"I was in the darkest place I had ever been before taking Zoloft. I was on Prozac prior, and I would have 3 to 4 panic attacks a day. I would go to to class and need to excuse myself so I could scream and cry about how I would lose everything if I failed out of university, my family, my fraternity brothers, my reputation etc. I am so grateful my GP prescribed this to me. The first few days, all I wanted to do was sleep. I took about 1 week to get any sort of reaction. I was finally able to focus on school and relax/ play video games. I haven't had a single panic attack since starting this medication, and I couldn't be happier! My friends and family all noticed the difference too!"

• Eliza...
• April 22, 2017

"I am prescribed generic Zoloft (Sertraline) 50mg once a day for anxiety and depression. I am sensitive to drugs so I only take half, 25mg. Since I've been on it, I've only had one or two mild panic attacks over the course of 2 years! I was having attacks 3x a week or more before taking it. It helped reduce compulsive behaviors and definitely helped my social anxiety issues IMMENSELY. Before Sertraline, I felt like I couldn't even act normal in public. For me, there is a mental as well as a physical effect. Even being in public spaces where I would normally be incredibly anxious, I feel physically better, smoother. The only side effect was a light headache that only lasted the first week. I would definitely recommend starting on a low dose!"

• Nelly
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2023

"I have avoided antidepressants for about 10 years as reading some negative reviews has always put me off. However, I went to a very dark place and didn't want to be here. At this point, it was time to try them. I have been on them for almost 7 weeks and they have made a big difference. Initially, the side effects were an upset stomach and a slight tremble. This only lasted a couple of days. The effects have been really positive. I no longer wake up with anxiety about everything. I feel calmer and able to not worry about everything and anything. After a recent chat with my mental health support worker, she thinks upping from 50 mg to 100 mg would be a good therapeutic dose given my positive response. My advice to anyone who is struggling is to give them a go. I wish I had tried them years ago. Life is too short to feel anxious and depressed. They may change your life."

• GADDe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2018

"After I received a prescription for this it took me 10 months to finally take it because I was terrified of side effects. The very first day I took it I was on this site scrolling through these reviews trying to find hope. After week 7 my mood slowly started rising and I felt like the depression was lifting. I am now on week 16 and back to my old self! I just can't believe that 4 months ago I thought my life was over to now feeling amazing! But I want to mention that I have been working on myself in other ways, in addition to this medication I meditate daily, exercise, do yoga, read self-help books, and listen to anxiety podcasts. I just didn't want to give all the credit to Zoloft but it gave me a bridge to be able to focus and learn on how to manage my anxiety better. I really want to reiterate that it takes a while for this to kick in (my peak was week 14) so be patient. I am so glad I became brave enough to finally take it! Only side effect is hot flashes. Best of luck everyone!"

• Dreamy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2014

"I've been suffering from generalized anxiety for four and a half months... It was pretty severe. My doctor prescribed me 25mg of Zoloft, and it works wonders!! Thanks to it, I'm back to my old self and I feel less anxious. Thank you, Zoloft!!"

• Holly
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2019

"I started using Sertraline for Generalised Anxiety Disorder that included disassociation, panic attacks, paranoia etc (I pretty much believed everything around me was fake and felt like I couldn’t cope anymore). On my first day of taking sertraline I felt SO much better. I did not have any side effects apart from a bit of loss of appetite. I swore by sertraline for years and went up to 200mg daily. I fell pregnant and weaned off of the drug. Now 10 months post baby I’m starting sertraline again for anxiety and low mood (albeit nowhere near as bad)... hoping for the same results as last time!"

• Molly
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2021

"So this is the 4th time getting back on sertraline (zoloft) I am a 30 year old female and I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since 19. My OBGYN prescribed me Lexapro at 19. I took it for probably a year. It worked well. Then life happened and along the way the panic attacks and daily anxiety came back. I went back to my OB who suggested wellbutrin. THAT WAS TERRIBLE for me!! I did not do well, I actually ended up breaking out in hives along with all the other side effects you can experience. So I decided to try out a psychiatrist who would have a little more information to work with. She recommended I try zoloft since the Lexapro had worked so many years earlier. I will say the first two weeks are ALWAYS a nightmare. I keep a journal each time I start so I can go back and remind myself, yes this sucks and is scary, but you've been here before and it does get better. I am currently on day 6 at 50mg. I'm having the usual zero appetite, upset stomach, super low energy, and insomnia."

• Jess
• September 1, 2019

"I am just starting week 5 on 50mg, I had previously been on citalopram for 18 months with little success. I also take 75mg of pregabalin, things are still the same, do not like going out, feel sick all the time, life is so difficult at the moment. I can’t keep bothering my Dr she must be so feed up of me. How long should I keep going with sertraline. Just need some positive feed back."

• byteman
• November 21, 2019

"I'm 39 and suffer from GAD which I can generally control with sufficient sleep, exercise, and eating a clean diet. My mom died of cancer which hit me harder than I had thought it would. A week and a half later my heart went into AFib and that broke the camels back. I started a fast downward spiral of anxiety and a number of symptoms that accompany panic attacks for me (including unsteadiness, lightheadedness, and racing heart). My GP prescribed sertraline at a starting dose on 1 week of 12.5mg, 1 week of 25mg, and then settle in at 50mg for 3 months. I'm on the last day of 25mg and I don't feel perfect but I feel SO MUCH better. It's only been two weeks. My primary side effects include additional unsteadiness, evening sleepiness that turns into nighttime insomnia, and some loss of sex drive. Worth it to end the downward spiral I was on and I find most symptoms clear up after about a week or so at each new dose."

• Anony...
• February 26, 2012

"Sertraline has helped me so much. About a year ago I took a phsyc. test with my doctor (phsycologist). I was recommended to go on medication by her and so I took my results to my actual doctor and went over it with her. She decided to first put me on Prozac, it made my depression ease but my anger way worse. So then she put me on sertraline. Now I'm not so nervous around people. I used to always stay where I could see everyone but now I'm more at ease with my anxiety and can function and talk smoothly. I don't get angry (barely anymore) and when I do it's not near as bad as it was. I used to be always sad too. But now it's like when I wake up, I'm happy and wanting to do things again! Thank you Sertraline!"

• zoloft...
• June 22, 2022

"Taking Zoloft was probably the hardest decision I’ve made this year and I’m so glad I did it! I was terrified of taking any kind of antidepressants and would often start taking them and stop before they would become effective because it made me so anxious! I will say the first couple of days were the hardest symptom wise, but if you can push past the first week you won’t regret it. I had some trouble sleeping at first, nausea, loss of appetite, and I felt on edge and a little antsy, but after the first week most of my symptoms were gone! If you’re scared of taking this medication, take this as a sign to push through your fear and do what’s best for you! Everyone’s experience is different and you won’t know unless you try. I feel like I finally have my life back again!"

• Doo
• March 24, 2019

"I took sertraline with much success for 12 years for depression and anxiety after a nervous breakdown. I did not experience sexual dysfunction or weight gain. I did experience diarrhea and lightheadedness for about a week. (sucks because the lightheadedness is what I am trying to fix!) It helped a great deal in the past, better than any SSRI I have tried. I came off of the medication and I didn't realize how much it was helping my anxiety until I attempted to return to work. I suffered migraines for six weeks straight and the anxiety attacks returned. My attacks are so extreme that my speech becomes slurred and jumbled. It is a week later and I am still experiencing the being on a boat feeling. I have seen my doctor and he has told me I have Jan 4, 2018 - Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), for all of these conditions including migraines, Sertraline is the go-to for treatment. I will begin taking 50mg again and up as needed. I know this medication works for me."

• Shand...
• August 29, 2019

"I've been on Sertraline for almost 4 weeks now. My doctor prescribed me 50mg to start off with The first week was absolutely the worst. I had so many horrible thoughts and I'd doubt literally everything. I was too scared to be alone with my thoughts and I basically begged my friend to stay with me in the house so I wouldn't be by myself. I'd always wake up at around 5-6am, shaking like crazy with my heart pounding and I felt so uncomfortable. Skip forward a week and I started to feel better. I wasn't having anxiety attacks anymore but I was still shaky and sweaty. I'm coming to the end of my prescription for 50mg and honestly, after that first week, I've never been better No anxiety attacks No horrible thoughts about my relationships No thinking of every bad thing imaginable Just being happy and having a nice time This drug is definitely worth it, the first week or so will be hard but it has an amazing effect once your body gets used to it"

• gizmo
• May 27, 2020

"Took this back 2 months ago...25mg for 5 days.. These were the worst five days of my life..This pill gave me nightly panic attacks lasting for over hour..Made my anxiety 10 times worse..Now having to try Venlaflaxine."

• Kiers...
• November 11, 2019

"Started @50 mg sertraline 6 weeks ago. Went for my recheck last week & let her know I had improved drastically, I was able to back myself down from anxiety attacks quicker, more energy, & not wanting to sleep all the time. Sill have some trembling in my stomach so I wanted to see how I'd react on the next dose up. Next dose up is 100 which made me a bit nervous to try, but at least I know how I feel at 50mg so I can always go back to that if I need. On 100 mg I felt almost too good. Great having so much energy, laughing a lot, & feeling childlike/back to the old fun carefree person that I once knew, just crazy how much I've changed from upping the dose after only being on it for 5 days. Out of all SSRI's I've tried, Zoloft is the best one yet. I'm much happier! I take it in the morning. When I've taken it later in the day I had trouble falling asleep. The only downfall- I'm someone who has always had a high sex drive, & this drug dropped my libido so much, made me dry, & makes it beyond difficult to orgasm."

• Jojo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2022

"I started taking sertraline 5 weeks ago. I have been struggling with anxiety for 4 years and I tried everything to control it because I did not want to take medication. After doing my absolute best to use all of my “tools” I ended up burning out quite bad at work and my anxiety sky rocketed. I spoke to my doctor and she suggested sertraline. I am very sensitive to medication so I filled my prescription and let it sit in my cabinet for a few weeks before taking it. I started with 25mg for 2 weeks then increased to 50mg. The only side effects I had were insomnia (which has resolved) and for one day I was shaky and nauseated. I am already feeling better after 5 weeks and I’m back to work and feeling well. My anxiety has significantly decreased and my mind has settled. I don’t have racing thoughts anymore and I am less irritable. I highly recommend this medication."

• Sutton
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

"I suffer from worry and anxiety most days, and have for years. I've been on citalopram and weaned off and sertraline for the 2nd time recently, as recommended by my GP. Days 1 & 2 palpitations and feeling of energy increase followed by falling asleep and feeling drowsy. Had prosecco on day 7 due to a friends 40th and felt awful the next day. More than a hangover. Day 12 I felt absolutely awful so anxious and panicky my heart raced all day and I cried so much in the evening that I ended up taking propranolol beta blockers to calm me down. I'm so scared tomorrow will be the same but I also don't want to have to start over again... I really feel for you all this is such a horrible feeling and I feel like I've no control."

• anony
• September 30, 2018

"Don't expect this medication to work within a week or two. Don't even think that you are getting the full results until you reach AT LEAST 3-4 weeks. Also, do not drink any alcohol or take any party drugs, as I did, they will completely negate this ssri. I wasted 5 years in this trap so I know! Had no benefit from ssri but was a mess instead. Once I went clean is when I finally got "good the effects". I've taken 4-5 different SSRIs and I can tell you for sure, they have never helped with panic attacks. HOWEVER, for general anxiety it definitely made significant decrease in that feeling of danger "in my gut" when waking up each morning change in the anxiety department(which is huge! When you have anxiety you will take ANY relief you can get). Also, for depression it works. I'm not saying I'm the happiest man in the world or anything but its like going from 10% to 60%(which is huge)."