Feeling like I'm more stupid on Sertraline - or am I going mad

[Rattlingpillbox]

Hi there, I have bipolar and am on olanzapine and sertraline. Since taking the sertraline I've come out of a bout of pnd but I'm really struggling at work to concentrate and to understand the project I'm working on - in meetings I feel like I'm a step behind everyone else. Does anyone else have any experience of this?

[doodlemum]

Yep!

I have also even come a cropper because I have such vivid dreams on sertraline that I have trouble working out whether things have happened for real or whether I dreamt them.

I'm not sure what the answer is, although I have just tried to be honest and ask for clarification etc if I need it. I am worried that people will think I am a bit slow though.

How long have you been on sertraline for? I am approaching a year, though was on them for 6 months another time in recent years. Felt similar with things being a bit foggy sometimes.

[Rattlingpillbox]

Hello! So nice to hear it's not just me, and I have vivid dreams as well. Been on it about 3 months, seeing my Dr soon so debating whether to try and come off it as it's affecting me so much!

[Rattlingpillbox]

Bump

[LastingLight]

Indeed. I don't recall being stupid on Setraline but certainly other ad's have turned me into a turnip head.

[AnUnearthlyChild]

Hmm when I was on it, I sat several quite technical exams and did ok, no less well than usual I'd say.

But it made me more aware that the depression had messed with my head iyswim. In the fog of depression I just couldn't tell how crap my thinking was, how muddled I felt but I went on ADs it started to lift the fog, making me more aware of my poor muddled head compared to my healthy state.

[AnUnearthlyChild]

Yy to the outrageously vivid dreams though.

I almost miss them.

[ownedbycat]

Now that my depression is under control, I can see that my problems with thinking and doing things are coming from the depression - not side effects of the Sertraline.
I'm feeling so much better in my second month than I was at the start.

A major issue for me is sleepless nights, I've set up a security camera to watch myself (a mini sleep study :) ) and I can see it's not the cat walking on me or disturbing me.
I don't get problems with dreams, simply because I can't sleep!

[pigear]

Hi, yes, I have been on sertraline for about a month and a half and have really struggled with getting my head round something then realising it was totally obvious and have made a few mistakes that I normally wouldn't. My friend also said she finds the same with her meds.