My Sertraline Story!!! Depression, GAD, SA
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hey there, I'm a 19 year old male from New Zealand. A year ago I started suffering from an episode of major depression accopanied by intense generalised anxiety and social anxiety. I began to lose interest in everything. I went really quiet and I stopped talking to people, and when I did I would often freak out in the middle of a sentence and stop talking because the anxiety was so intense. I couldn't even have a conversation with my partner who I live with!!! My life began to fall apart, I was unemployed at the time and it made it impossible to get a job. I couldn't sleep and I would spend entire days panicing about things not being able to stop no matter how hard I tried. Some days I had thoughts of giving up.
I tried supplements, herbal teas, exercise and meditation but nothing seemed to work! I was so afraid to go to my doctor to get antidepressants, i've heard so many bad stories about them. But after dealing with it for 8 months I pushed to the breaking point and saw my doctor. He immediately put me on 50mg of Sertraline and 25mg of Quetiapine for sleep and anxiety.
40 minutes after taking my first sertraline dose I immediately felt a very small bit of relief. Instead of panicy thoughts ringing through my head, it was almost silent. I got really bad side effects such as jaw clenching/grinding, restlessness, an overall unusual unconfortable feeling, increased anxiety, unusual or sudden body and facial movements, muscle twitching and tremours. The side effects were pretty intense at first but most of them went away after 3 weeks. I gradually saw a small increase in my mood but after 6 weeks I still wasn't feeling that great so my doctor increased my sertraline dose to 100mg. It has since been increased to 150mg and then 175mg a week ago.
The past few days have been great, I can finally say I feel like myself again. I've been going out, hanging with my friends and partying and doing what people my age do! The only thing I regret is not seeing my doctor earlier.
Feel free to ask any questions 
1 like, 13 replies
thomas96833 dayne84005
Posted
One thing that always makes me quit Sertraline, (although I think I need it) is the increased anxiety. How did you cope with this massively enhanced panic state?
dayne84005 thomas96833
Posted
philip49799 dayne84005
Posted
Katyf dayne84005
Posted
Aww I'm pleased to hear your doing well,I have found myself in your position and it's hell,I am currently on 150mg sertraline but the anxiety is a big problem along with bizarre thoughts any advice please ? Xx
philip49799 Katyf
Posted
Katy, if you can get good Hynotherapy then go for it. Even worth borrowing the dosh if it is tough for you. Don't be frightened of it as it isn't like the Stage style at all. You just get to super realax, get into a trance state and then let it all go. Also you will get strategies to use. You will probably need a several sessions (say 4 - 6) .
Take care,
Phil
Kizmina Katyf
Posted
Katyf you're the first person I found in similar shoes as mine, how are you coping with this?
Katyf Kizmina
Posted
I keep taking the sertraline I'm on 150mg,it has made a difference but I still have some issues you have to tell yourself it will go it's a state of mind we are in at the moment,also I try the butterfly technique.......lie down close your eyes and open the front of your head with a key (image it) unlocking your mind and all the butterflies are your thoughts flying away xx
Katyf philip49799
Posted
Katyf Kizmina
Posted
dayne84005 Katyf
Posted
Try to keep your mind distracted by playing video games or something.
Increased anxiety is just a side effect and it will should slowly subside a few weeks after starting. It comes back for a bit when you increase your dose too.
Kizmina dayne84005
Posted
Sertraline isn't working for me and makes me incredibly paranoid and stressed out, how did you deal with this?
dayne84005 Kizmina
Posted
That's normal when you start an ssri. It can get worse before it gets better, how long have you been on sertraline for? It took about 6 weeks until I noticed a positive difference, and it was only a very small difference. It's a gradual process and I know it sucks but hang in there, it gets better!
PaulMar dayne84005
Posted
Hi Dayne - I started at 25mg and i've been on 150mg for the last 7 days. I've seen a few good days and some horrible days that make me question my existance. Your story really gives me a lot of hope. Thank you.