I am on week 3. Two weeks on 50mg and one week on 100mg. I feel lost and horrible. My depression and anxiety have gotten worse. Anyone experienced this and are now doing great? I'm so hopeless and just looking for inspiration.

I'm on day 10 and unable to sleep at night or even nap during day. I spend the whole night watching TV or listening to audio books. The only way I can get a few hours is by taking Lorazepam 0.5mg, but I know they can be pretty addictive. I'm starting to feel exhausted. Anyone else suffering sleepless nights?

I thought I’d start a new thread because most of the discussions I’ve found about coming off sertraline seem to be quite old. There’s so much conflicting information out there, and it feels like even doctors don’t really understand the withdrawal process or how much it can affect people.

It can be incredibly isolating and debilitating when you’re experiencing symptoms that nobody around you seems to understand, especially when you don’t know whether what you’re going through is normal or when it might end. One of the few things that has helped me is reading other people’s experiences and realising I’m not the only one going through this. So I thought I’d share mine in case it helps someone else feel a little less alone.

I’m in Australia in case that matters, I’m female and just turned 40 but am fit and healthy, don’t smoke or drink, and look about 30 haha - so no other health issues should be impacting any of this!

I was originally prescribed 50 mg of sertraline, mainly to help combat my sleep nearly two years ago. Maybe about a year ago, we went up to 100 mg. I’ve had really bad side effects while on it: in particular the night sweats in the luteal phase of my cycle were just out of control, my libido was just non-existent, and it wasn’t helping my sleep anymore, so I decided I didn’t want to be on it.

While I didn’t really experience weight gain while taking sertraline for around 18 months or so, I’ve recently completed a reasonably quick taper and am now about 5 kg heavier than I was in January (it’s now October).
I don’t weigh myself anymore, the only reason I know I am 5 kg heavier is because I recently joined up for a gym challenge and they weighed me. I haven’t weighed myself since probably March or April, and I think some of that might also be muscle.

BUT I regularly measure my waist, and since tapering, my measurements have increased significantly:
Small waist (narrowest point): 70.5 cm → 76–78 cm
Big waist (belly button/stomach): 78.5 cm → 85–87 cm

I’m only 5’1” (161cm) so every centimetre around my waist is noticeable.

I am so uncomfortable. It feels like such intense bloating and stomach discomfort, and I’m wondering whether anyone else has experienced this, whether it might be water weight, and how long it takes to subside.

I was on 100 mg for about 12–18 months. In August, I dropped down to 50 mg, initially taking it daily before alternating between 50 mg and 0 mg. I then went down to 25 mg daily for a couple of weeks before stopping completely in late September. As of today, 25 October, I’ve been completely off it for about a month.

I tapered relatively quickly because I just couldn’t deal with the side effects anymore, but now I’m feeling really down and out. The nausea has been particularly awful, especially in the afternoons. Food generally doesn’t appeal to me, and the only things I really feel like eating are sushi and chocolate. The stomach bloating is probably the most uncomfortable part. I do eat a lot of chocolate, but generally, aside from that, I eat pretty healthily and exercise a lot.

I just want to feel comfortable in my clothes again!

Has anyone experienced anything similar after coming off sertraline? Did the bloating eventually settle down, and if so, how long did it take? Did any supplements or herbal medicine help settle things? I know this is a textbook symptom, but they’re still not that much information out there from people who’ve experienced it, and I’m also aware that it’s because of the connection between the brain and the gut.

I’d really love to hear other people’s experiences, whether you’re currently going through withdrawal or have come out the other side. I think it helps enormously just knowing there are other people who understand what this feels like.

I’ve attached a screenshot of how I was feeling throughout my taper - again, I couldn’t deal with the night sweats anymore, which is why I went colder turkey, but I know this is not recommended, so be wary if you choose to do something similar yourself ❤️

And I have no idea why. I just hate it for some reason. Even though I know taking them daily for a couple weeks will definitely make the depression less intense. I want to feel better I just wish there was any other option. I don’t even know why I feel this way. I’ll take them for a while and feel ok minus the not being able to cry or bust which doesn’t bother me tbh. And then I always just, stop taking them. I don’t know why. I’ll look at them every morning and think to myself I should take that and then I just don’t. Idk if this is relatable to anyone but I am miserable so any advice is appreciated!

For context I’m a 30 yo male and was prescribed it because I have some issues with OCD like traits and anxiety.

Secondly I did not mention this to anyone but I’m literally a 10-15 second guy in bed and I’ve been secretly interested in taking this medication mainly because I want to last longer in bed and have a more fulfilling sex life.

For any men here who struggled similarly like me, how long did it take before you started lasting longer and did it produce the positive results you were hoping for? Please feel free to elaborate.

Thanks

Sometimes I question if it will loose its effectiveness and require a higher dose or totally crap up.

I have been on Zoloft before so I know it works! I recently went back on and went up to 100mg after 14 days on 50mg… tomorrow completes my 6th week of 100mg… my physical anxiety has gone down but still no where near feeling myself…. I was totally fine at the end of August before I had a night of panic attacks and that’s when I spiraled and went right back on Zoloft…. Anyway should I stick with the 100mg a few more weeks or up to 125mg (I feel like that is what the doctor will say ) anyone still feel bad a 6 weeks but had a good turning point at 8 weeks? Thanks!

Est-ce que vous vous sentez plus apaisés, moins anxieux, moins dans votre tête ? Est-ce que vous arrivez à profiter davantage des petites choses, à moins réfléchir à tout et à vous sentir enfin bien avec vous-mêmes ?
J’aimerais beaucoup lire vos expériences positives, savoir ce qui a changé concrètement dans votre quotidien et après combien de temps vous avez commencé à ressentir une différence. J’ai besoin de lire un peu de positif et d’espoir. 🫶🏻💕

I’m in my first week of taking 50mg sertraline for my ocd and anxiety and I am not doing good. Physically my only symptom is that I have reduced genital sensation and trouble reaching orgasm, so now I’m convinced I’m giving myself PSSD and I can’t stop ruminating. Can’t stop researching horror stories, people going through horrible withdrawal only to end up with worse mental illness than before, people who suffer permanent issues. I’m honestly so tempted to make an appointment with my doctor and stop taking them because I am just plagued with worst-case scenarios. I’m questioning if my ocd and anxiety are really that bad that I’m risking SO many issues just to get rid of it. Honestly I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be a cautionary tale on why SSRIs are a bad drug. I am so unbelievably stressed out.

So i accidentally stopped for two days…. long story but my own fault and i do take with food, did that today with a 20mg protein yogurt with my 50mg dose today and i had the worst diarrhea about two hours after taking….. whyyyy i have not had side effects before 🥲😣

I’m so grateful for the people who mentioned to take it at night to avoid the insane dreams that feel like an alternate reality. For a month I was taking 50 to 75 mg at about 8:30 am and I’d get extremely tired between around 2-6pm, then I go to bed around 11 or midnight and the entire night would feel like a superhero or adventure movie. My dreams felt more real in reality which was interesting but I woke up feeling like I hadn’t even slept at all. I just changed to taking it between 8-11 pm, and I definitely feel like the dreams are still very realistic but I do wake up feeling like I’ve actually slept now and I can’t recall the entire thing as if it was a movie. And I’m also not feeling the mid afternoon slump. So if anyone else is feeling as I was, maybe switch to taking it in the evening.

Hey is anyone else on this timeline? How are you going? Each day is getting better xxx positive thoughts to all getting through the dark forest. We will get out the other side 💐💜

I took 12.5mg for 16 days

Then 25mg for 3 days

then back to 12.5 for 3 days and have stopped two days ago.

About the time I went to 25 I developed this crazy intense upper stomach burning feeling with just waves of inner panic , worst first thing in the morning. I feel like my whole insides are buzzing with anxiety and I cannot stand it. I am not vomiting and can still manage to eat but I literally feel like I’m dying with this intense upper stomach burning anxiety feeling.

I even had an urgent upper endoscopy yesterday thinking I had an ulcer or something very wrong but it came back normal.

can this be from the Zoloft?? I mean if it’s not then I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I can’t manage this much longer.

has anyone had similar and did it go away once stopping?? I only took it for 23 days and mostly 12.5mg so this seems crazy extreme and I’m scared.

Every time I go they say everything looks good, but I'm on Zoloft now and I'm scared of "what if it's causing high eye pressure?" I'm scared and not sure what to do

i have been on 100mg for almost 8 weeks now, i saw my psychiatrist a little more than a week ago and told her i was feelinf better and wanted to give it more time (possibly 12 weeks) and she agreed! then i started my period a few days later and during my period my anxiety slowly got worse, im about 4 days out of my period ending and i had my first panic attack in months 2 days ago, then yesterday i was extremely anxious and i am as well today, its nothing mental, it just feels like my body is panicking?? i feel very restless and scared and i can't schedule a new appointment until monday and idk what to do:( is this a dip? is my dose not high enough? should i wait it out?

I’m on 50 mg here and I’m suffering pretty hard. I’m only on day three, though. I know it can take up to like 12 weeks to have a big effect but did anyone get even a little relief earlier than that? I’m in agony.

Good morning Sertraline buddies! I’m to give a book recommendation.

I just finished the book from my subject line (my first real book in quite some time actually) and it’s a light read that touched on a lot of the feelings that lead to me seeking help for depression and anxiety, so I’m recommending it to all of you. It doesn’t have a sad ending (though please note a trigger warning for discussion of death and suicide) but it also doesn’t sugar coat existence. It just left me with some small perspective.

Aside from that, please do post an update in the comments. How are we doing? Any wins? Misses you’re recovering from? I’m feeling a need for some connection with others I know are walking my path today so thank you for sharing if you decide to.

Thanks!

I read that taking NSAIDS can make the bleeding heavier, but I have no choice with my pain. I am also hoping to start transexamic acid once I get more settled on Zoloft for the heaviness. Anyone take both?

Hi everyone!

I’m 29F and I struggle with severe anxiety and DPDR. My main reason for wanting to take Zoloft (sertraline) is to reduce my anxiety, which I hope will also help alleviate my DPDR symptoms.

A bit of background:

2023: I started sertraline at 25mg and honestly, it was amazing. Within days, I noticed a huge improvement in my anxiety, intrusive thoughts, mental clarity and productivity. My DPDR also improved after some time. I felt more like myself again.

I stayed on 25mg for about a month and tolerated it well. Unfortunately, my (old) psychiatrist then increased my dose to 50mg and eventually 75mg. That’s when things went downhill. I started feeling constantly high, almost like I was on MDMA. It was an extremely uncomfortable, drugged-up feeling that I couldn’t tolerate, so I stopped taking it.

December 2025: I decided to give sertraline another try at 25mg. I took ONE pill and experienced the worst panic attack of my entire life. I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack and was going to die. It felt like a near-death experience, and it absolutely terrified me. I didn’t take another pill after that.

For context, I’m not normally prone to panic attacks, which made this experience even more frightening.

October 2026 (now): I’m considering trying sertraline again, but this time starting at just 12.5mg (morning), with diazepam 5mg in the morning and 5mg in the evening to help manage the anxiety and potential initial activation. I already got the meds prescribed to me by my new psychiatrist and they are now in my possession.

The problem is that I’m absolutely terrified of starting.

I’m scared of feeling overstimulated, agitated, drugged up, having my DPDR worsen, or experiencing intense anxiety. But above everything else, I’m terrified of having another panic attack like the one I experienced last December.

I’m also worried that my anticipatory anxiety is so strong that I might trigger panic symptoms simply because I’m expecting something bad to happen. I can’t seem to rationalise my fear, even though I know 12.5mg is a very low starting dose.

The frustrating part is that sertraline genuinely helped me at 25mg in 2023, before the dose increases made me feel awful. That’s why I still want to give it another chance. The plan is to start at 12.5mg and then go up to 25 and stop there.

Has anyone here:
- Started or restarted sertraline at 12.5mg/25mg after a bad experience?
- Taken diazepam alongside sertraline during the first few days/weeks and found that they helped reduce the initial activation, agitation or panic symptoms?
- Successfully restarted sertraline after a previous medication-related panic attack?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your positive experiences, especially if you’ve been in a similar situation. I’m trying to work up the courage to start again because I really want some relief from my anxiety and DPDR.

Please no horror stories !

Thanks for reading :)

Has Zoloft (sertraline) helped anyone with severe anxiety, social anxiety, and feeling stuck in life? Especially those who previously took Lexapro?

I’m struggling with severe anxiety, particularly social anxiety, difficulty making decisions, constant overthinking, and an inability to imagine a positive future. I often feel stuck and struggle to find motivation or interest in things I used to enjoy. At this point, I honestly don’t know whether I’m mainly dealing with anxiety, depression, or a combination of both.

I previously took Lexapro (escitalopram) 5 mg, which helped reduce my anxiety and overthinking, but I also felt emotionally blunted, less motivated, and less interested in life. That’s one of the reasons I’m hesitant about trying another SSRI.

My psychiatrist has suggested sertraline (Zoloft), starting at 25 mg, and I’d really like to hear from people who have experienced similar symptoms.

Did Zoloft help with severe anxiety, especially social anxiety and difficulty making decisions?

Did it help you feel more hopeful about the future and regain your motivation and interest in life?

If you switched from Lexapro to sertraline, did you feel less emotionally numb or have more energy and motivation?

Did 25 mg help you, and how long did it take to notice a difference?

I know everyone responds differently to medication, but I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who felt stuck, anxious, and unable to see a positive future, and who eventually started feeling better with sertraline.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I reddit. First time posting. I would like advice about being intimate with my partner and no longer being able to climax since I started taking antidepressants(sertraline).

Has anyone experienced this? Does it go away or get better, will I be able to climax?. I just started taking it 4 days ago

I just got out of the hospital after being in there for 2 months. I'm trying to adjust to my new sober life, having a care team visiting me every day to deliver my medicine which is over 20 pillls a day. It's ridiculous, but that's the price I have to pay for being constantly hospitalized for withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. Anyway, I got prescribed zoloft and kept getting my doses upped until it reached 200 mg. It feels like my only hope that I can lead a happy life, but fear it will do nothing. I say that cause I think it has been 4-6 weeks where I should feel something. Then again, I'm also on 400 mg of seroquel, 2400 mg of gabapentin, and Klonopin. Seems that's enough medication to put an elephant to sleep, but I don't feel much. I'm not happy at all, and I just want to feel happy again.

I was prescribed Zoloft on September 29th after struggling really bad with OCD symptoms for quite some time. I was really excited to finally take a step in what felt like the right direction, but 2 weeks later I had a fainting episode. I hadn’t changed anything about my diet, routine, etc. so I figured it was the medicine. It was really scary, my body was convulsing and just completely lost control and I blacked out for a few seconds. I went to the hospital right after and they said they didn’t think the medicine was the cause of it and instead could be from standing up too long or the fact that my electrolytes were really low. They did an EKG and took my vitals and everything came back fine. I was discharged and have been fine since except for today. I woke up this morning and started cleaning my room when I all of a sudden got a wave of feeling really weak and heavy. It was the same feeling I had had when I first passed out, so I freaked out and ran to my bed to lie down with my legs raised in the air. I didn’t end up passing out but ever since I’ve felt just really woozy and heavy when walking. When I’m lying down it’s fine. It’s been about 3 weeks for me on Zoloft now. Has anyone experienced something similar or have any idea if this can be directly caused by the medicine? Or just have any general advice, thoughts, concerns etc. I know side effects are heightened in the first month but I’m just a little worried!!