That sertraline makes me realise how mental I've been for the last decade (at least)

[glassecase]

Honestly never felt better, well maybe pre-18 years old.

Amazing stuff and I don't feel like I'm 'on' something.

@HandsFaceLace

I feel sad with these threads. On the drug yes, the brain is telling you it's great. But it's a drug. Not a healed, naturally better you. I was on ssri's for two years. They did help but I came off them very gradually by myself and am so much happier and realer for it. I've actually worked on improving my life and my 'self' rather than glossing over it all with a pill. I agree for really tough times they help but it shouldn't be the emotional crutch if society.

Completely disagree.

I didn't start feeling 'great' on Sertraline, I just stopped feeling shit and anxious and depressed and constantly on edge and exhausted.

I'd tried every other way of dealing with it, no improvement. I resisted medication until my 40s and then felt, well, normal within a week.

Wiring, chemicals, early conditioning, combo of all three, call it what you will... Something in me is wonky. A daily pill the size of a tictac lets me function without constant fear.

If anything, I feel like the medication removes the fake sense of constant crisis and lets me be the real me.

Citalopram is my best friend. I've lived with anxiety all my life. The drugs, in combination with an asd diagnosis, have changed my life and if I'm on them forever, so be it.

I’ve always suffered anxiety and live teaching in Lockdown 1 with children at home nearly broke me. My mum was a manic depressive and I vowed never to take antidepressant because of the stigma. Last August I rang my GP in tears. Every felt bleak. She convinced to try Sertraline and I can’t believe how much my mood changed - no more panic attacks, no more waking in the night catastrophising. I’m 6 months in and I honestly say I wouldn’t have been able to cope as a teacher at the moment without it. I feel like ‘me’ again.

Totally agree with @teawamutu.

I do everything ‘right’ for good mental health - I run 50 miles a week, eat well, practise mindfulness - but something in my make up means I’m prone to anxiety. My GP was wonderful.

@HandsFaceLace

I feel sad with these threads. On the drug yes, the brain is telling you it's great. But it's a drug. Not a healed, naturally better you. I was on ssri's for two years. They did help but I came off them very gradually by myself and am so much happier and realer for it. I've actually worked on improving my life and my 'self' rather than glossing over it all with a pill. I agree for really tough times they help but it shouldn't be the emotional crutch if society.

What a pompous, silly post.

Should people with diabetes stress about taking insulin because it's just a pill that's glossing over their illness rather than curing it

In its simplest sense a lot of depression is down to a chemical imbalance. Taking the right pill can work wonders to correct that imbalance.

These posters being negative about people feeling better on Sertraline etc need to realise that posters rarely tell the full story on here about what took them to reach out for help. Yes therapy is realky important for ling term mental health. BUT ITS NOT AVAILABLE for most on the NHS.

I have experienced three massively traumatic events in the last 16 years, two in the last 6, which have caused me to experience Post Traumatic Stress. Plus ongoing chronic stress from living with a significantly ill husband with undiagnosed and supported Bipolar. Which has also resulted in my son being diagnosed with ptsd.

I do the exercise. I do the yoga. I do the art. I pay for private therapy. But these are not sufficient. I strongly believe that the amount of stress and trauma I've experienced has changed my brain chemistry. To be able to be an ok mother, and to not be thinking of suicide most days, I take anti-depressants. I feel better on them. I still have bad weeks, and I don't feel great often. But better. And that's a good thing.

I have done nearly 14 years of therapy and it really helped me process and come to terms with my abusive childhood.

However, it didn't touch the fear I felt everyday. Two years ago, with encouragement from dh, I spoke to my doctor and have been taking sertraline ever since.

My childhood permanently damaged me. I healed what I could through counselling, CBT and adapting my life. I did pretty well and I am proud of the happy family I managed to build and the genuine joy I have in my life. But my parents damaged me and I am delighted that there is a tablet I can take to alleviate some of the pain.

Also, I am not different, or overly happy and I can still cry when I want to, so I really don't see the problem?

Anyway, meant to say (before I started banging on) well done op, you have been very brave and sensible - great post!

It's a shame this thread is turning into a debate but that's my fault for posting here.

I'm so glad to read all the positive posts from people like myself!

@MrsBobDylan

Anyway, meant to say (before I started banging on) well done op, you have been very brave and sensible - great post!

Thank you!

@glassecase, I have started taking the sertraline that was prescribed for me but has lain in my drawer unopened since last june....so thanks for this thread op. I'm scared of the oncoming side effects but I'm scared of everything these days.
I just hope they help.

I have a good life, but the fear and anxiety is getting too much now.
I need help.

When is the best time to take it?

I took the first one this morning while I was still in bed then I got up and had breakfast, but I usually take vitamins before breakfast but I didn't want to take them all together.
Has anyone got any advice?

Its 50mg once a day

@HandsFaceLace

I feel sad with these threads. On the drug yes, the brain is telling you it's great. But it's a drug. Not a healed, naturally better you. I was on ssri's for two years. They did help but I came off them very gradually by myself and am so much happier and realer for it. I've actually worked on improving my life and my 'self' rather than glossing over it all with a pill. I agree for really tough times they help but it shouldn't be the emotional crutch if society.

Stupidest thing I've ever read. Some people can't fix their mental health without pills no matter what they do. Its people like you that stop those who really need it getting a prescription. You're adding to the stigma and should be ashamed of yourself.

I've done all the therapy, self care etc. I still need medication because my brain can't function properly without it. With it my brain will function normally. Theres nothing else i can do if i want to lead a normal life. There is no naturally better me. This is how my brain is and has been since i was tiny. People like you were the reason it took me til i was 28 to take medication. I wasted years and years trying to do it "naturally" when the reality was my brain would never and will never be able to function without "drugs".

If anyone is reading that is struggling with such ridiculous and ignorant views and not taking the Drs advice of medication.... i get it, i really do, but if you have tried and failed to fix your brain naturally there is NO shame in taking medication. It will release you from your pain and allow you to live normally. Views like the one above are rare now, outdated and ignorant. Pay no attention. Look after yourself.

@ssd you can take this one at any time of the day. Its not like citalopram. I take mine in the morning with my coffee so i never forget it. Its a ritual almost. Initial side effect dont last long. The worst and longest lasting is the inability to orgasm but that generally passes after a few months.

@ssd

Its 50mg once a day

I’m on 50mg, I take it at 6am when I wake up.

Like PP the first week I felt lightheaded but that was my only symptom. After that I felt ‘normal’ as in not ‘happy’ but not anxious. I’m mid 40s. I wish I’d seen my GP 20 years ago.

Glad I found this I was prescribed sertraline a few weeks ago but haven’t started it yet as worried about side effects

I've been anxious all my life, I have a report card from age 7 saying I'm an anxious child. Anxiety is just me,always has been, I thought it was normal. But with recent events in my life and the outside world, I've realized through this thread I need some help. I've had cbt, counselling, talking therapy. I'm still me, worrying, anxious, over thinking, panicky me. So terrified of getting ill, dh or the dcs getting ill, watching for every cough, every change, constantly on edge, constantly waiting for armageddon. Its no way to live.
I pray the sertraline helps me.

@babyyodaxmas maybe you would understand if you had spent years merely existing because of mental health problems. I cannot believe how much better I felt once I found an antidepressant that actually worked. Maybe be a little less judgemental?

I agree I have vowed to stay on them until death now, they keep me normal and relatively sane

[quote ssd]@glassecase, I have started taking the sertraline that was prescribed for me but has lain in my drawer unopened since last june....so thanks for this thread op. I'm scared of the oncoming side effects but I'm scared of everything these days.
I just hope they help.[/quote]
You can always start with half a tablet if that helps you?

@ssd

When is the best time to take it?

I took the first one this morning while I was still in bed then I got up and had breakfast, but I usually take vitamins before breakfast but I didn't want to take them all together.
Has anyone got any advice?

I neck everything together!

And me, take about 10 tablets at night including vitamins