Feeling unreal on Setraline
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi All,
first of all, this website has been really helpful in managing my anxiety whilst on sertraline and I'm remaining hopeful for the future until it properly kicks in.
I'm on my 3rd week now. Started on 25mg and went up to 50mg after 10 days. I felt really good over the Christmas period, probably due to seeing my family and having a laugh. But something slightly distressing has started kicking in for me on my 3rd week where I feel very existential and detached. I was suffering from disassociation 2 months prior to starting medication due to a very stressful month at work in September and not looking after myself (smoking, drinking on the weekend, eating crap, caught covid and had sun stroke within a couple of weeks of each other too - I have now quit smoking and drink one night a month if I fancy it and switched up my lifestyle in a major way).
I keep having intrusive thoughts about being inside a simulation and feeling a bit unreal when speaking to people etc. Just so I'm clear, I don't actually think I am in some sim. and I try to practice mindfulness techniques and have been exercising everyday which clears my head a bit. Best way to describe it is like being in the truman show? I hate these thoughts because I want to be in the moment with people and experience life fully but the thoughts hit me when I'm feeling good.
Was just wondering if anyone else had this kind of symptom/thought process whilst on Sertraline and if they disappeared as it started kicking in? Or is it something I should be concerned about and find another SSRI?
Thanks for reading and to anyone who replies.
Any positive stories would be great to hear!
0 likes, 3 replies
david57454 antldn
Edited
Hi there
everything you have described so well are exactly the same as how i have been feeling ,whilst restarting on sertraline. They are commonly known as the side effects , they can feel so debilitating when you start the drug, doctors & psychiatrist are so bad at not warning you
so that you are prepared.
I started to feel the benefits after 7 weeks , and yes you will start to feel better , I advise you check in with your doctor to check the best dosage for you.
when i say improve , I've been signed off work , 7 weeks , and I'm due to return as i know the drugs are taking away my depression.
Yes its hard at the beginning to communicate with people as when they talk i found , i was so lost in my thoughts. Yes its very Scary at first ,
My company have been very good to me , i am looking forward to going back to work, but i know i must find a work life balance as they are very target driven .
My target will be to ensure my family and mental health as just as important as there demands.
So i hope this helps pm me if yo want some more advice .
Remember we are only a bum on the seat at work , You mental well being is more important than a inflated work target, we where born as social animals, not born to be glued to a computer, mobile or 55 inch Television.
Its a bumpy road with a lot of quality family and friends time to look forward to.
Finally Sertraline personally have given me back the quality i relish
antldn david57454
Posted
Hi ,
good to hear you got past these thoughts we both experienced. I know 3 weeks on this med. isn't anything to go by so will keep pushing through.
Yes, luckily for me too, work has been kind about my situation as the big boss has had experiences with mental health issues so is very keen on employees getting necessary help over working flat out.
Good luck with getting back to work, all the best!
david57454 antldn
Edited
nice feedback thanks , like me you are a compassionate soul, the fact that work is so understanding, is personally a glass half full. Perseverance is name of the game , work with what ever limitations you have , as if you had a physical illness, it would be easier to accept.
No shame I tell everyone I have some personal s**t I'm going through even when I know its a depression which is a illness.
Time is a healer and millions of people have overcome the awful side effects on this drug .