To think sertraline is making me feel worse?

[anxiousstillll]

Trigger warning: Mentions of suicidal thoughts

I've been on sertraline for 4 weeks now. I think it has slightly decreased my anxiety, if it has it's such a mild change that I'm not even sure if there is any actual difference, or whether I'm just imagining it as I'm so desperate to improve.

What I have noticed though is I've been feeling a lot more depressed. It's definitely worse some days than others. Yesterday, for example, I spent most of the day in bed and didn't shower or brush my teeth. Today I've managed to get up, dressed and outside but sometimes I feel ok but mostly there's just a constant state of dread and wishing I was dead/that I wouldn't wake up in the morning. I'd never actually act on those thoughts but I'm concerned.

I have a review meeting in 2 weeks so I'll be mentioning it to my GP, but has anyone experienced similar and found things get better? Or is it a sign that sertaline is maybe not the right antidepressant for me (this is my first time taking an antidepressant).

I've not experienced mental health problems so i can't help, but i just wanted to say i hope you get it sorted and you start feeling better soon.
Could you possibly speak to your GP before your review in 2 weeks time?
Sorry you are going through this op 💐

This is quite common in the first few weeks/months of treatment and your GP should have warned you about this. Phone and have a chat with your GP, and try to go east on yourself, it should get better.

*easy

I could have wrote this post 6 months ago. Please persevere. It will get better. I can promise you. I weaned myself off sertraline at the start of last year, adamant I felt better.... I hit rock bottom within 12 weeks. Weaned myself back on, at half my previous dose (now 100mg per day) and finally have a purpose. Last year I felt a complete failure, a mother of 2 wonderful children, a wife and a brilliant career.. yet invisioned not being here. Please have faith!!

i remember when I first started sertraline I felt the same way. I was prescribed it for anxiety but after taking sertraline I became very depressed. I also completely lost my appetite and dropped about 1 1/2 stone. At my review they adjusted the dosage and that made a huge difference - started to feel like myself soon after. Stay strong until the review and see I what happens if they adjust the dosage or suggest swapping to a different medication. It can be a long and exhausting process testing different medications and dosages but it honestly does pay off

Stick with it until the review if you can - it takes 6 weeks for sertraline to get up to full effect. If it isn't working for you I imagine your dr will try a different anti-depressant.

It made my depression worse too. I had to stop because of physical side effects at around the 3 week mark but everyone I spoke to who had personal experience, reported the same emotional dip but said it got much better.