Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Kat...
• August 17, 2019

"I have lived with OCD pretty much my whole life. First signs at 7, figuring out it was 'OCD' in my thirties and being officially diagnosed a few years ago at 40. It felt like a shameful secret I could not share. By my 30s I was mostly using CBT, meditation, occasional therapy, and talking to family to help get through. Over the years, my ritual OCD had developed into Pure OCD, which I learned to understand more through therapy. But I had never taken medication until I got to a low point a year ago and was prescribed sertraline 50mg. 3-4 week transition. Minimal long-term side effects. Life-changing. The OCD edge has been taken away. The duration and depth of anxiety episodes has been reduced. My confidence and enjoyment of so many simple things, like a holiday and family occasions, has enriched my life so much. Being in the moment instead of caught inside my head. OCD can be so unkind. I hope you find what works for you and I wish you well."

• Bur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 1, 2025

Sertraline "I posted a review back in October of 2019. I was crippled with anxiety from late teenagehood well into early adulthood. 22 was when it first truly blossomed into something terrifying (racing heart, foggy thinking, scary intrusive thoughts, feeling like I was out of control of my body). In 2019, when I was 28, was when I finally bit the bullet after another severely rough patch. I sobbed after making a doctor appointment because I felt like my anxiety had finally won (I was terrified of medication, and I tried EVERYTHING I could to avoid it). Boy… I wish I had started Zoloft in my early adulthood and didn’t let myself suffer silently all those years. Zoloft transformed my life. My 20s were spent anxious, scared, and desperately trying to “fix” myself without medication or doctors. I fought silently for years, and you’d never tell by my face that I was internally dying of anxiety. I’ve been on Zoloft consistently since 2019. I wish I could write more. It truly saved me."

• EMa...
• September 24, 2020

"My OCD obsessive thoughts began when I was 14. I’m now 25. I have struggled for so long trying to feel happy, wondering why I felt everything so deeply, being so sad behind closed doors. Since lockdown and coronavirus, I hit a real low. Everything that I got enjoyment from disappeared from my life, and I hit an ‘it’s now or never’ point in regards to taking medication. I thought I was unfixable, that I would never feel content, and I spent years trying to come to terms with this. But since starting 50mg of sertraline 4 months ago, I have never felt better. I feel so calm and relaxed, genuine happiness from within, and an inability to overthink that I’ve never felt before. The thoughts remain, maybe for a few seconds until I dismiss them. Even on days I feel a little anxious, it doesn’t last long, and I have not gotten to the point of despair that I lived in before. My experience has been so worth it, and I will continue this medication for as long as I need!"

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2014

Sertraline "It's my third time returning back to Zoloft and I'm 21. First time I've used Zoloft, I was only 15, and it was for Social Anxiety/Severe Depression, and it helped me tremendously. Stopped it after one year and maybe... 6 months later my anxiety was back along with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anyway, I'm back on it, and after 1 month, I can say this, IT'S PERFECT. I'm lucky to not have any side effects (except maybe a little bit of dizziness, but I don't care), and I feel so much better!!! I'm way LESS ANXIOUS, OCD is diminished by 3/4 (I still need to follow therapy for this problem), no more black thoughts, I'm also more focused at school, and my thoughts are more coherent/clear. I don't think I'll ever stop this medication... For me, it's a lifesaver."

• Sia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2023

"If you are experiencing horrible side effects at the beginning of taking sertraline, PLEASE keep going, please fight through it! It will get better! You do have to help yourself too, though! I forced myself to eat even when I lost my appetite, I had lots of fruit and veg, cut caffeine out, ate lots of fish, and made myself exercise daily. The first two weeks were horrific, I was worried I wouldn’t survive it. I’m now on week 8 and so glad I kept fighting. Please stay strong and please keep going! Don’t let the bad reviews put you off."

• Mat...
• November 10, 2016

Sertraline "I was on Lexapro for years before it pooped out, and it helped alright. Finally switched to Zoloft 150 mg, and it did take 2-3 months, but ever since, I have never felt better. No more OCD/anxiety. I'm a new person, it literally saved my life. 10/10 would recommend and hoping it works for the rest of my life."

• Sis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

Sertraline "I never write on pages like this, but after taking Zoloft for 3 months I have to write! Just so others that might be in a difficult situation can get help! (Sorry if my English is bad, I don't speak this language in my country) I started taking Zoloft after 2.5 years with anxiety, OCD, and on/off depression. I was scared to death when I tried SSRI the first time (Prozac) and realized that was not the right drug for me. After another 6 months trying to cope with my problems on my own, I was not able to go to work in the end. My doctor recommended Zoloft, and the first 3-4 weeks were tough. But slowly I started to feel more like myself! I still have some days that are worse than others, but now I can manage. And most days I feel fine and like myself. If you are afraid to start this type of medicine, just try it out! It can change your life, and if it doesn't work, you can just quit."

• Jay...
• July 27, 2015

Sertraline "I'm 14 years old with OCD. I tried Prozac and it just made me make decisions that weren't like me. I've been on Zoloft for a while and it's really helping. I haven't obsessed at all. I just don't overthink, and I live a great life."

• Rya...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2021

Sertraline "Before getting on Zoloft 50 mg, I had severe anxiety, and my brain would constantly find something to worry about. I had rituals I had to follow, and I was super obsessive, and that was leading to severe anxiety and depression. Zoloft helped me so much as far as changing my state of mind. I am now happier with so much less anxiety."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

Sertraline "I have been experiencing intrusive thoughts for almost a year now. It was mainly due to my Celexa, another SSRI antidepressant, wasn't working as well anymore. I have been on Celexa for over 12 years. It just didn't work for me anymore, and then I found Zoloft. I suffer from mild to moderate OCD and intrusive thoughts about harming myself or anything for no reason whatsoever. When I started taking 12.5 MG of Zoloft and 30MG of Celexa (cross tapering meds, was on 40MG), I noticed a 70% difference in my thoughts. My head was clearer, I felt more positive. It's day 6 now, and it's just getting better from here. This medication was a godsend to me. Just wanted to share my experience."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2020

Sertraline "I've been taking Zoloft 100 mg, Wellbutrin 300 mg, and Abilify 5 mg for well over a year now for OCD. Every time I try to taper off, my OCD spirals into suicidal obsessions, which brings on depression and hopelessness. The combination I take helps, but it is not a miracle. Did it save my life? I believe so. Don’t be afraid to try medication if you’re already at rock bottom. Stay strong and persevere. Cheers! XOXO."

• Anx...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2013

Sertraline "I have struggled with anxiety for years, and I've improved Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a way that would increase my quality of life. I've been taking 50 to 250 milligrams of Zoloft for the course of almost 7 years, and I've been getting 5 to 8 hours of sleep every day. I was going from C's and D's in school to mostly A's and B's, and my memory was becoming crystal clear. When I decided to go down to 25mg, I began to experience more anxiety, more depression, more insomnia, and more OCD-like symptoms. Even if I had a good day under 25mg of Zoloft, I wasn't confident about myself and didn't like the person that I was becoming. I'm telling you, this medication does work to treat your anxiety, it just takes time to work."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2024

Sertraline "This medication saved my life. I would not be alive without it. I had cannabis-induced intrusive thoughts 24/7. I would ruminate from the time I woke up until I slept. I thought I was going insane. The first month or so were hell. I went from 50 mg to now 175 mg. I started to feel better at about 150 mg, I am back at 99% to normal. The thoughts still come in, much less frequently, but they don't bother me anymore. Here and there, some thoughts will bother, but nowhere near like before. The medication should work, just give it time and don’t be scared to up the dosage. I could've easily felt back to normal after a few months, but I mistakenly waited to increase the dosage, which delayed my full recovery."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2012

Sertraline "I started Zoloft 2 weeks ago for obsessive compulsive disorder. At first, I hated the thought of being on a medicine that controls your mood at the age of 19. Anxiety went up like crazy when I first started at 50mg, and I was thinking this is not going to work, and that I should just get off the medicine. I stayed on strong with hope, and 2 days ago I woke up feeling like my old self! I had a lot of energy, I did not have any anxiety at all, the racing thoughts in my head were gone to the point where I felt awesome! My old self is back within 2 weeks because of Zoloft. If you are concerned about this medicine, try it for at least a month if not longer, it gave me great results so far with no side effects, and it can do the same for you."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2023

"I have just started on sertraline. After years of debilitating thoughts, not being able to concentrate, and bad health anxiety, I honestly just felt like I couldn't go on anymore. I was waking my partner up in the middle of the night, crying that something was wrong with me and it just wasn't fair. I couldn't enjoy time with my children as I was counting down the hours until I would go to bed, as when I'm sleeping, my obsessive thoughts get a chance to reset. I felt bad for my family who would have to listen to my complaints and doctors who would do blood tests after blood tests to prove to me that my bloods are okay. I just felt I wasn't enjoying life the way I should be. I'm now 8 tablets in. My shoulders are beginning to relax (they are usually rock hard) and I am able to sit in work without googling symptoms. I'm hoping to be better for myself and everyone around me."

• Kri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2013

Sertraline "I highly recommend trying this medicine. I've been suffering with extreme anxiety/OCD for years. Tried Lexapro (bad weight gain & didn't feel any different), Elavil (did the same as Lexapro) and Pristiq (made me feel worse). Finally, I went to a psychiatrist & he immediately put me on Zoloft 25 mg (sertraline) & a small dose of Xanax (alprazolam). We planned to slowly increase up to 200 mg within a few months. Eventually, made it to the max dose 6 months later, along with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). I've had a few side effects (memory loss, stomach problems) but that's it. I can finally go throughout my days & function. Some days are just crap though, which happens. Changed my life & am so thankful."

• Ocd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 8, 2023

Sertraline "Dear OCD sufferers. I am 10 months on Zoloft. I guess I'll stay for life on this medicine. I don't want to go through the same situation again. 10 months ago I wasn't even able to sleep. I still remember the terror I lived during that period. My God, it is so sad to remember how I was. My OCD is still around but I live a better life. I work more, I am better. My terrible headaches left me. I am only on 50 mg now. Thoughts are thoughts created by us. We are like a machine producing them. Hope you will get better like I did and hope things will get even better for me too. Thank you for reading this. OCD is like a curse, but as you will experience your worst thoughts, you'll get to know what is tormenting you, you will get to know yourself better. You will get used to it! I am closer to a 'normal person' now, thanks to this medicine and my doctor. Remember: it needs time and the right dosage to see if the medicine will help you."

• The...
• August 8, 2013

Sertraline "I have struggled with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was 11 years old. I'm now 21, and this is the second time that I have taken Zoloft. It has worked wonders for my obsessive and anxiety-ridden nature. Originally, during my trial and error phase of trying medications, I stopped taking Zoloft at one point because I experienced the numbness, headaches, etc., that are typical of SSRIs. However, after finding that no other medicines (including other SSRIs, antipsychotics, and even anti-seizure medications) reacted as well to dull my OCD, I resumed Zoloft to give it a second shot. I could not be happier with its results so far. I would recommend this to absolutely anybody who had difficulty with OCD or depression. It has saved my life."

• ocd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2014

Sertraline "I had terrible obsessive-compulsive disorder for about 6 years. I remember that I spent all my night going back and forth to the toilet for peeing. After I went to university, I was shocked by the poor way of teaching and bad instructors. Suddenly, the OCD became worse and worse, and it felt like hell was eating at my brain. I spent all my waking time thinking about silly things and suffered from terrible pain in my neck, head, and stomach. I visited 7 doctors and tried many medications before finding Zoloft. I tried Anafranil, Solotic, Faverin, Xanax, Atarax, Seroxat, fluoxetine, and finally, I went to a very good doctor who prescribed Zoloft 200mg with risperidone 2mg. That combination worked like magic for me after 6 years of struggling with OCD."

• JPk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2019

Sertraline "I have been taking Zoloft regularly for about 3 years. After taking Celexa forever, which was largely ineffective, I was given Zoloft and was skeptical. However, this drug has given me a big part of my life back. It has put both my OCD and depression into remission, meaning they affect my life pretty minimally now. No more obsessive thoughts, no ritual-type behaviors. I have hope again. I suffer from bipolar I as well, and this, in addition to Lamictal (mood stabilizer), has saved my life, no joke. Please consider giving this a shot."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2020

"So I've been on sertraline for 8 weeks, 50 mg. The first 5 weeks or so were absolutely awful for me. Crazy intrusive thoughts, insane anxiety. In the first few weeks, I practically spent my life on this checking reviews for some hope I'd get better. Fast forward to now, and I feel 60% back to normal. Rather than obsess about a subject from the moment I wake up until the moment I fall asleep, I now get short little 'blips.' I'm positive the medication will work even better as time goes on! People just starting, bear with the side effects as you will thank yourself later on!"

• noc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 24, 2024

Sertraline "I have OCD since my teenage years. It is a genetic thing. Two years after my mental breakdown, two years after I started Zoloft, I want to share that I have ~totally~ understood how tricky my mind works. OCD makes you lose trust in your mind and thoughts. We have a brain with a malfunction. Some regions are not working well. Bad wiring you can call it. I know that I cannot live without Zoloft. I do not want to go through all that again. It took me time to come where I am now, so I won't quit it. Zoloft helped my mind come back. OCD can become very much real and bring terror in your life. I went up to 200 mg and now I am just on 50 mg and my mind feels clearer. OCD is still there. A daily companion and you have to learn to live with it. BUT - you go on with your life and OCD becomes just a 'bad person' you learn to recognize and ignore. Remember: your brain can create anything. OCD can become a nightmare if you leave it unmanageable. But, it is not psychosis. So - try with medication. SSRI is a must!!"

• War...
• December 2, 2019

Sertraline "All my life I've had irrational fears and OCD. Every time I quit Zoloft, I'd spiral. Back on at 50 mg, moving up to 100 mg tomorrow. Zoloft gives me the confidence I need to live instead of hiding with fear. I'm only on day 4, but I already feel slightly better. Will update in 4 weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2014

Sertraline "I've been on 50mg of Zoloft for three weeks now. It seems to be working pretty well. My obsessive thoughts started to have trouble materializing in my mind, then before I knew it, I started to feel like myself again, and the thoughts and anxiety seem to have diminished."

• Shu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2013

Sertraline "I have now been on this medication for 6 days, and I'm seeing a terrific change. Not 100% yet, but it's giving me light and life back again. I am loving this change. I didn't think I was helpable. I thought I was too far gone, but slowly am making a comeback."