Taking sertraline- does depression feel like this? Advice please!

Hi Amy

I would say you are having a bad day. I have taken 150mg of sertraline in the past at my worst, and 100mg last spring, and finally in the summer I dropped down to 50mg. 

After 2 years of being on sertraline I was curious to see if I still needed it, but my GP persuaded me to stay on 50mg over the winter since I get bad over the winter months, and have am still suffering from chronic pain which was part of the reason I ended up on them in the first place.

I have had a few days feeling like you decsribe early December, but I tried not to over analyse it and distract myself with other things. But I have to admit when I feel like this I dont want to engage with anyone, and find participating in activites diff too.

You really need to give it 3/4 weeks to see if you feel there's any change. Some people notice a benefit after 2 weeks. but for the most part you are looking at a month to really notice the benefit of taking sertraline, and indeed any other AD .

When I started out I felt some benefit at 50mg, but at 6 weeks decied with my doctor that I needed to try a higher dose. there is this flexability with sertraline. 

Personally, I still have bad days even though I still take 50mg of sertraline, but then I still have chronic spine pain that limits my activity and means I cannot work....so whilst I find it helps, it's not a magic cure ! Bear this in mind, and look into other therpies too such as Mindfullness, CBT etc to help you cope with you depression and panic attacks. 

Hope you feel better soon. 

Amy,

It took me 6 weeks to be back in the land of the living. Functioning again. And it’s still working on me now, a bit each day. So hang in there. Find something small each day to keep you going, a walk, a flower, a beloved photograph, etc. When I got back on z, I knew the next few months would be hell on earth and I was just praying I wouldn't do something stupid during that time. I was just marking time each day. I took walks up and down this hill which helped trick my mind into believing that my heart beating erratically because I was out of shape, not because of the panic and anxiety attacks. Stay strong. Cry - I wanted to but couldn't even cry for awhile. Scream if you must. Here’s a poem that helped me, too:

The Guest House - by Rumi

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.