Is a side effect of sertraline depression?

Posted , 4 users are following.

I've been taking 50mg of sertraline to help cope with my anxiety for the past 4 weeks now (first 4 days on 25mg). Since starting I've continued to feel anxious quite often, possibly even more frequently than before. I've also noticed that I've been feeling down more often - as if life is pointless and hopeless. I didn't really feel that way prior to the medication and so I am concerned it's being caused by the sertraline. Has this been a side effect for anyone else who was previously only experiencing anxiety and not depression? And has it gone away after a few months? It's so difficult not to over think every thought/emotion that I have!

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    I kinda feel like this to feel really down scared and anxious , bad thoughts to feels like I can't love again either

    • Posted

      Hi Donmate, are you currently taking any medication or taking to a psychologist or doctor about this? I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling this way.

  • Posted

    Hi Bridsta, 

    ?I was on Sertraline for  over 6 months started on 50 mg and then like you went down to 25mg and felt l was worse on 25mg.. l also felt my mood crash and viewing it over the time l took it.. it did help but l also felt l was going mad at a few points my memory is not great now. as l am in my 50's but when l took this medication l actually forgot about having whole conversations with people the day before and ended up texting them a few days later when l had alread spoken to them.  When l asked my doctor about this she said yes it does affect your memory..  I went through thinking was it good bad etc and then realised l  had to deal wth the root cause of my problem my job and left.. l've reaised since lve left and come off the tablets that l am not as anxious at all as l used to nearly have a heart attack before l went out the door if  was going out...  So l do feel although its intended for help with anxiety .... for me it made it worse....    What l would recommend is keeping a diary how you feel react to things day to day .... but they do take about 6 to 7 weeks to get into your system....   If you can if you dont already try and do some regular excercise.... When l gradually took myself off them ... l made sure that l did excercise everyday ... and now l dont take anything.... and rather than set myself expectations or try to please everyone... now l just be me... and decide what is best for my wellbeing... I also did a self-esteem course with nhs with the wellbeing service best thing  ever did and would highly recomment it and the booklets you get are great...  Problem is l feel as we all go through life we loose confidence in what we are cable of... and our inbuilt gut reaction.. and l feel doing these course with wellbeing help me get myself back... and being on no medication now... makes me feel so chuffed..... But you know your own situation - all l would say is be kind and considerate to yourself but we all have an inner strength we just forget where it is sometimes...  Good luckx

    • Posted

      Hi Karen, thanks so much for your advice. I will definitely keep track of how I'm feeling and as you've said will probably wait a few more weeks before changing anything with the medication. It's so inspiring to hear that you have found ways to manage your anxiety and feel better all on your own! 

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