Sertraline and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Pat...
• April 10, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Read this! I have had anxiety my whole life. But then I had my first baby, and it all escalated. I couldn’t sleep. I could take a big dose of oxazepam and still be awake. After 14 days of constant fear and panic attacks, I said: I am not okay. I needed to go away from the baby. So I went to my mom. I started sertraline, and the first 5 weeks were terrible. I could only lay in bed with a heart rate of 100bpm, feeling anxious and didn't eat for 2 weeks. After 5 weeks, I wanted to stop because I had never felt so horrible in my life. 2 days later, it happened. I woke up, and I didn’t feel that bad anymore. And the next day again. And so on. January was the worst month of my life, by far, but now everything is different. I can enjoy my daughter, and sertraline did that. So again, for whatever reason you are here, sometimes we cannot do this on our own. You are not weak to start medication. And please, continue the first few weeks. They are horrible. But come back and read this story again. Trust the process."

• Kri...
• June 6, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "SERTRALINE WORKS! I have been on Zoloft for about 2 weeks now like the doctor said. At the beginning, it was horrible. Really bad anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts got worse. I felt so hopeless. I didn't want to get out of bed. My stomach hurt, and I stopped eating. I lost around 15 pounds and had issues sleeping. I get really tired and drowsy and take a nap in the morning. Now all the side effects are gone. The next week I felt really calm. Felt like I had no emotion. It was hard. It was more depression than anxiety. But now it's been 2 weeks, and I'm doing fun things and laughing and smiling again. It's like my anxiety is gone. It's great. I still get a moment of it, but it's not all day like before. This really works, and it's rough at the beginning, but it will pay off in the end! You got this!"

• NP9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2017

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Half the reviews on here are a load of garbage. They range from 'the side effects are too awful' to 'It gives me more anxiety.' Do yourself a favor and do not read to any review from anyone who has taken this drug for less than 8 weeks. If you are serious about reducing your anxiety, then grow some balls and give Zoloft time to work. Yes, you're going to have a number of side effects in the beginning, ranging from drowsiness, nausea, sexual dysfunction, loss of appetite, and even increased anxiety. Guess what, nearly all of these are going to disappear after the first two weeks. In fact, all of the side effects disappeared for me, and it wasn't until around week 8 that I felt the glorious power of this drug. GIVE IT TIME."

• har...
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been struggling with anxiety for over 3 months now. The doctor put me on sertraline for the first two weeks. Oh, it makes you really ill and I had every side effect that the medicine gives to you. I went back to the doctor, and he said that with anxiety they will take 6 weeks to kick in. After two weeks, things started to get a little better but still very anxious up to the 6th week. After 6 weeks, I am very good. Please stick with it, guys. It will help you 100%. For some people, it may take a little longer if they have very bad anxiety or stress, but in the end, I think that it will definitely help you. Be strong because you are stronger than you think. I feel for everyone that has this issue but stick with the sertraline as it will help you 100%."

• har...
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been struggling with anxiety for over 3 months now. The doctor put me on sertraline for the first two weeks. Oh, it makes you really ill and I had every side effect that the medicine gives to you. I went back to the doctor, and he said that with anxiety they will take 6 weeks to kick in. After two weeks, things started to get a little better but still very anxious up to the 6th week. After 6 weeks, I am very good. Please stick with it, guys. It will help you 100%. For some people, it may take a little longer if they have very bad anxiety or stress, but in the end, I think that it will definitely help you. Be strong because you are stronger than you think. I feel for everyone that has this issue but stick with the sertraline as it will help you 100%."

• Der...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Sertraline has literally changed my life. I took months to start over fear of side effects but once I took a stand and made that jump, it has changed my life. The first few weeks are hard (headaches, fatigue, bad stomach, increased anxiety) but honestly push through it and when it kicks in, it's worth it. I've found myself controlling my thoughts better, sleeping better, and just overall better mood. I haven't felt this good in over 10 years after struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. I also recommend downloading the DARE app. Good luck, warriors."

• But...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2020

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have GAD. I knew I was needing support emotionally. 15 years ago, I had used Zoloft and it worked well, so I asked my doctor if I could use it again. So I started on 25mg and after 2 weeks, I upped to the 50 mg my doctor prescribed. Honestly, week 3 and 4 were the worst for me because I couldn't eat, and I felt so much worse with anxiety and lack of peace of mind. Because I was working from home, and others mentioned that the first month was bad, I felt like I was being pushed under emotionally. I had to do a lot of self-talk like 'I am not my feelings, this will pass,' etc. I took my Zoloft at night, and it seemed by evening, I always felt better, but mornings were so difficult. But right at the end of week four, a cloud lifted, and I felt peaceful and calm. So I appreciate others sharing their experience because that's exactly what happened to me. And I pushed through it, and I'm glad I did because I feel much better. Hope that helps someone in week 3. It does get better. Hang in there."

• May...
• October 10, 2019

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’ve dealt with anxiety since I was 22 (now 28). At the start of this year, my anxiety got bad. At my lowest, I decided to make an appointment to see a doctor. I was sobbing after I got off the phone to book the appointment because I felt my anxiety had defeated me. Little did I know that I was finally choosing to take control. I was prescribed 50mg of Zoloft on 4/1/19 and have stayed there. The beginning was rough. I felt jittery, nauseous, and “weird”. It took a month before I started to notice a difference. My generalized anxiety started to fade, and it felt amazing! Intrusive thoughts began to settle down too! I was sleeping better, handling stress better, I could socialize better, overall I had a lot more confidence. I take my pill at the same time every day. I can’t believe how much better I feel today, it can bring me tears. I needed to feel better to see how bad I was. Please don’t be afraid to try it. Give it time! Don’t judge it after 2 or even 3 weeks. Be patient and allow it to work."

• Hop...
• July 8, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve always dealt with anxiety, which I’ve dealt with on my own until a stressful job and the COVID pandemic. I started getting panic attacks and just cry hysterically out of nowhere. Finally, after day two of my husband calling out of work to stay with me, I told him I needed help. My PCP started me on 50 mg of sertraline after being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. The first week was awful. I had every side effect under the sun. Sleep was hard to come by. I was pretty much bed-bound the first week, except to get up and shower. I had to push myself to take care of the dogs or eat. My anxiety was 100 times worse. I knew that it was to be expected and the medicine takes weeks to feel the effects. I was determined to stick with it. I’m glad I did. After a week, each day I felt better. It’s been a year since I started it, and I feel amazing. I never realized how crummy anxiety made me feel until now! If you are having a tough time starting it, don’t give up. It will get better."

• Riz...
• February 18, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Sertraline 3 weeks ago for anxiety and panic. I’ve always been able to manage it, but it got to the point where it changed and I had no control. The first 2 weeks were horrific. I had every side effect going including exhaustion, increased anxiety, restlessness, tingling, headaches, dry heaving, shakes, nausea, increased HR, and even ended up in ER for chest pain. I decided to stick with it to see what happened. From day 17, the side effects improved, and I felt my energy increase. I also have hypothyroidism, so an increase in energy and clarity is really helpful! I’m hopeful that it may improve even more. I haven’t had any panic attacks since the first few days now, and my HR has also reduced. The only thing I’ve found is that I’ve had a tickly throat and a deep dry cough triggered by it. Has anyone else experienced this? Good luck to all of you reading this, it’s so hard living with these feelings, but we can all find a way through x"

• bro...
• June 9, 2010

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."

• LS2...
• October 12, 2020

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."

• Zub...
• 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 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."

• Zim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "When you start sertraline, you need to stick with it. It doesn't start working for 6 weeks. I've had anxiety all my life but 3 years ago developed OCD and panic disorder. The first 2 weeks of taking sertraline was awful. Horrible thoughts, racing heart, anxiety worrying if the pill would work, then there was a sick feeling, dodgy tummy, etc. You only feel rubbish for 2-3 weeks and then you feel just as you would before the pill. Anyway, I read on the NHS website that Sertraline takes 4 weeks to start working for depression and 6 weeks for anxiety. And true to word, I started feeling great after 6 weeks. I was patient and it paid off. I've been on it for almost 12 months and it's the best decision I've made. I don't care if I have to take this for life, if I feel better mentally, then surely my body will be healthier physically!"

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "This has been one of the toughest medications I have ever been on. I've been on countless numbers of antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers... Around 25 medications in total. I was wrongly diagnosed as borderline personality and suffered greatly as a result. Sertraline made everything so much worse for about three weeks, but then, it was like a switch had been pressed in my head. My racing, obsessive thoughts stopped, my constant headaches, insomnia, sweating, worrying, heart pains, vanished. I can think, I can feel, and I can, for the first time in a long time, be 100% completely myself without the pain. You don't get points in this world for suffering, and this has improved my life by about 100000000%. Stick with it."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I’m on week 5 of sertraline 50mg and I think I’ve had every side effect which has been horrendous - but most disappeared after 2 weeks. I still have dreadful morning anxiety, a cough that comes and goes and ringing in my ear but all manageable. That’s the negative part. On a positive note, I haven’t had a panic attack since starting this medication and my mood swings are loads better. I hear myself laugh more. I’m keeping everything crossed that I will see more improvement with the anxiety. I have never suffered from anything like this until 7 months ago, and I refused medication thinking it will pass (it doesn’t). If you can get past the first few weeks, you will start seeing positive changes. I still have a few bad days, but nothing like it was without the medication. Good luck to all starting."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "4 weeks ago I switched to sertraline 50mg as my other medication stopped working. I was on Lexapro for 6 years which changed my life! I found sertraline has really helped with my anxiety and depression, and I'm finding my daily living as a busy mom of 3, a caregiver for my husband, and a dog mom a lot more enjoyable. I am increasing today to 100mg of sertraline as this increase is needed to suit me. I found the first 2 weeks starting sertraline heightened my anxiety and depression, which Xanax helped ease the heightened anxiety for the first 2 weeks, but I held on and I am glad I did. I hope this helps someone else."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I am on 50mg of sertraline. It did take a long time for the medicine to fully level out. I experienced some of the initial side effects: increased anxiety, insomnia, headaches, shakiness, jaw pain, and dizziness. But all eventually went away after a month or so of use. My husband noticed a difference in me around week 4, but I didn’t really notice much of a change until week 6/7. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure the medicine was truly working until about 12 weeks in. I have had a lot of ups and downs, but the downs have been less often since about week 4. Now at a little over 14 weeks, I feel like things have really leveled out for me. I still feel emotions. I cry, I laugh, I joke around, I get excited for family outings. All of the normal feelings are back. I don’t feel emotionally blunted. The side effects can be tough in the beginning… and from my experience, the doors and windows don’t start to open very quickly. But once they do, it can feel really incredible."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I started 25mg sertraline at the end of June 2020. I was depressed as well as anxious. I used to feel like life was pointless as we all die anyway, and although I wasn’t suicidal, I didn’t want to continue living this way. The first few days I had an upset stomach and was waking up at random times through the night, but this quickly went away. I increased my dose to 50mg, which I am on now. My main side effects are vivid dreams and lack of sex drive. I still experience anxiety every so often, but it’s much better and easier to get over. I am considering increasing my dosage to 100mg to see if it helps with this. I am far less on edge and jumpy, I feel like I used to be on constant high alert, and that’s definitely reduced. My depression, I would say, is completely gone. I feel happy again and excited for the future, which I thought was impossible. I no longer think that life is pointless. I wouldn’t have thought that medication could help with these thoughts, but it definitely has."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "On Zoloft for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The first few weeks were honestly so bad. I had such bad brain fog, more anxiety, depression, wanted to sleep all the time, etc. I couldn’t eat and lost about 7 pounds within a few weeks. Things were not looking good but I pushed through it. One morning I woke up and my life had been changed. I found out what it was like to feel like everything would be okay. I am so happy I take this medicine and I recommend it for anxiety if you’re willing to push through the beginning. I have a new view on life and it feels so good."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I feel so obligated to leave a review. I was sitting where you are now almost 4 weeks ago. I was terrified after reading the reviews, however, I knew I needed help. I had postpartum depression and let it go unchecked for a long time. When that seemed to subside, I was hit with debilitating anxiety that really started to rob me of my life. I had severe insomnia as a result. I started on 25 mg for a week, then went up to 50 mg where I am currently at now. It was a very difficult med to get on. I had increased anxiety, panic, still fought insomnia. After about two and a half weeks and help from my family, I felt like the world felt brighter. Every day since has been getting better. I can’t tell you enough that if you can weather the first 2-3 weeks, you will not regret it. I am getting back to my old self and it feels so good. I am so thankful, and feeling so blessed. You got this!"

• Dom...
• March 16, 2016

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I read these reviews, body tingling, shaking, concentrating on every breath or I would choke to death, using all of my will to focus on these reviews with tears in my eyes imagining that some of these success stories could happen to me and promised to write one if I could make it out alive. I'm 22 and started having severe panic 2 years ago. Don't worry about the side effects. If your experience was like mine every day, side effects would be a break from the dread and torture I felt every second. Zoloft brought me right back to the person I remember being before the panic. Just try it and give it time. It gradually got better over 3 weeks along with klonopin for attacks in that time. I hope this gives someone the hope and courage to try it."

• Mr ...
• April 30, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "27-year-old from the UK, Carlisle, on 50mg Sertraline. This medication is excellent. I have tried: Prozac (impulsive & diarrhea), Mirtazapine (5-stone weight gain), Citalopram (severe depression resulting in a constant stream of suicidal thoughts, NEVER AGAIN!), Venlafaxine (severe anxiety and nervousness), Amitriptyline (sedation). I have been on this for 2 weeks. When it started working, I felt happy and calm. I didn't wake feeling angry and fed up with life. My memory has improved, and my sleep has improved. I can go outside, which I was unable to do before. I don't comfort eat, I don't ruminate over negative things, I'm interested in my hobbies again, and I am more outspoken and unafraid of confrontation. It is out of this world! Keep trying and don't give up. You will wake up one day out of this waking coma and see the color of reality again, just keep trying different medications. No matter what, keep going! I have been depressed and anxious for years, this has truly saved me from oblivion."

• Mr ...
• April 30, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "27-year-old from the UK, Carlisle, on 50mg Sertraline. This medication is excellent. I have tried: Prozac (impulsive & diarrhea), Mirtazapine (5-stone weight gain), Citalopram (severe depression resulting in a constant stream of suicidal thoughts, NEVER AGAIN!), Venlafaxine (severe anxiety and nervousness), Amitriptyline (sedation). I have been on this for 2 weeks. When it started working, I felt happy and calm. I didn't wake feeling angry and fed up with life. My memory has improved, and my sleep has improved. I can go outside, which I was unable to do before. I don't comfort eat, I don't ruminate over negative things, I'm interested in my hobbies again, and I am more outspoken and unafraid of confrontation. It is out of this world! Keep trying and don't give up. You will wake up one day out of this waking coma and see the color of reality again, just keep trying different medications. No matter what, keep going! I have been depressed and anxious for years, this has truly saved me from oblivion."