To think sertraline has made me depressed?

[greatnowimdepressed]

I started sertraline around 7 weeks ago for anxiety. I've never really had depression before, my main issue has always been anxiety.

Since starting sertraline, my anxiety has decreased but it seems like it's been replaced with depression. I've always been someone who is quite OTT about showering and doing my skincare, washing my hair and keeping my living space clean. The last few weeks I've had a few days where I've not bothered getting dressed, showered or even brushing my teeth and just staying in my PJs for the whole 24 hours until I summon up the energy to shower. My living space has been messy too, I didn't clean for several weeks.

I never used to get into bed in the middle of the day, but recently I'm in bed during the day a lot. Sometimes I find myself just staring into space waiting for me to summon up the energy to do something. Yesterday I was sat on my bed doing nothing but staring at the wall for over an hour before I finally had a shower and got dressed.

I'm not suicidal, but sometimes I find myself just wishing I was dead. I was on holiday and walked past a graveyard and found myself thinking to myself I can't wait to be dead. Not in a dramatic way, just in a kind of fed up resigned way.

AIBU to think sertraline has caused this? I don't feel like myself and I don't like it. I don't know whether this is temporary and I need to just ride it out or whether I need a higher dose or whether it means sertraline isn't right for me?

Honestly, if as you say these are new symptoms only coming on after taking a new drug, I'd be making plans to come off it.

I don't think it's wise to just stop taking it though, afaik you need to decrease slowly and be prepared to get some side effects.

Theres lots of threads about this drug.
Have a search

I agree, come off it slowly though if you do decide to stop

It doesn’t suit everyone. It makes things worse for some.

I have found fluoxetine (Prozac) low dose 20mg the best for anxiety. Whereas before I would feel absolutely sick with anxiety and fear I now feel just ‘uneasy’ . My feelings and emotions are much more manageable. A low dose doesn’t numb emotions but it allows me to function and stops anxiety from spiralling out of control.

This sounds awful. There are lots of options for managing and decreasing clinical anxiety that do not involve drugs, and also from my understanding more suitable SSRIs and so on for handling anxiety these days if you do want to go down the medicated route. Come of slowly, taper, get advice from GP, etc/

Sertraline can have that effect. Don't just stop it, but ask to to speak about it to your doctor.

Definitely discuss these symptoms with your GP.

I'll definitely mention it to my GP before stopping. It's frustrating though because I do think they have helped my anxiety, I used to have a nervous tummy (TMI sorry) and since starting sertraline that has completely gone.

I just feel so flat and depressed. I'm better when I have plans and am out the house, but every morning getting washed and dressed feels like such a huge insurmountable challenge.

I wish I knew whether this was just one of those 'it gets worse before it gets better' situations, or whether sertraline is just making things worse for me. I guess only time will tell

Hi OP, I’m 5 weeks on sertraline and feeling similar to you. Did you start to feel better?

I found seroxat fine for anxiety. No depression just nausea for a few weeks. Back to the GP @greatnowimdepressed

Hello I know this is an old post did you ever feel better on the sertraline?