Sertraline is working for me
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Hi - Thought I'd post about my recent experiences starting sertraline recently as I came here a while back looking for people who have had success. I'm 46 and have had dealt with anxiety and depression since my late teens, I have had therapy in the past and have managed pretty well for last ten to fiftteen years. However Covid hit and I went into a severe bout of depression and anxiety about 2 months ago that was the worst I'd ever had and has been truly awful - i was having suicidal thoughts and not managing at all well.
My Dr prescribed Sertraline 50mg, I've always been scared of antidepressants and have never taken them, but this time I was out of options as I was so unwell. I'm so glad I did, I've just finished week 6 and the change is incredible - I've gone from absolute despair and 24-7 panic to pretty much back to my normal self. I'm so surprised that the medication has calmed my mind and my anxious thoughts, I can smile and laugh and enjoy my life again - I was expecting them to take the edge off or not work at all, but they have done a lot more. I have been anxious all my life I wish I had turned to medication a lot earlier rather than struggling on all these years. I know it is still early days in my recovery journey and things may change but currently I'm really happy I have taken the decision to take medication and hope things continue.
I'm also starting CBT and have joined a recovery group which is great we have weekly online group sessions.
The first 3 weeks were rough, I had all the side effects particularly a big increase in anxiety and depression the worst part lasted for 5 days but I was determined to stay on them as I had been so ill. I'm so happy I did, two weeks ago I woke up with as smile on my face for the first time in ages - my mind felt clear. I feel like I can now start to get my life back together - I still get anxious now and again but I can deal with it, I just let it pass and it goes down quickly. I've actually started looking forward to things and enjoying the things I used to do.
I used to think antidepressants didn't work or were dangerous, but my experience is the complete opposite I'm pretty amazed. If you have just started and are struggling with side effects keep going it does pass, you will start to have more and more better days and slowly start to improve - it can feel like an eternity at the time but you will get there, its a journey to recovery and you will slowly improve - if not there are other antidepressants you can try. I just kept saying to myself one day at a time, so stick with it 7 weeks in and I'm so glad I did.
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