Anxiety/insomnia/low mood

[freckles83]

I have suffered bouts of anxiety, insomnia and depressive episodes for many years and am going through a really rough episode at the moment. Sometimes there is an obvious trigger (stress at work, problems with my personal life) and sometimes it just seems to come from nowhere. The insomnia is the most distressing symptom when I have these depressive episodes and prescribed sleeping pills from the doctor eventually lose their effect and stop working, it's like my body forgets how to sleep and this just fuels the anxiety and low mood.
I take 50mg of sertraline and have done for 15 years and increase the dose to 100mg when I'm having a rough patch. I'm normally a good sleeper and a positive person but every 5-6 months I have a few weeks of depression and it's literally like my entire personality changes and i am an anxious mess of insomnia. I know it will pass, it always does and it goes away when it is ready to and there's not much else I can do but be kind to myself and ride it out. Just wondered if anyone else experiences similar?

My anxiety and depression have been worse the past few months. I imagine a lot of people are the same. I had insomnia for 9 months while at college, so get how hard it is to function . I've had a lot of counselling over the fast few months. Hope the increased dose of sertraline helps and you're feeling better soon 🤗

Maybe see if you can try mirtazapine to help you sleep. I know it's has been amazing for me. I sleep like a baby every night now. Hope you feel better soon. I take sertraline 100mg too.

Why not try a different Ad, I suffer with low mood and anxiety and Fluoxetine has really helped me. These medications tend to have a life span and if you've been on the same one for 15 years it may not be effective for you any more.

@lindyloo6

Maybe see if you can try mirtazapine to help you sleep. I know it's has been amazing for me. I sleep like a baby every night now. Hope you feel better soon. I take sertraline 100mg too.

My GP has suggested this in the past. After consulting Dr Google, (which I probably shouldn't), I read so many experiences of weight gain that I've always been reluctant, along with the anxiety of changing AD's after such a long time on Sertraline. I might have another chat with my GP though as I can't keep in relying on sleeping pills.

Thank you all for the replies. I'm sure many people are suffering at the moment, it's such an uncertain time.

Maybe see if you can try mirtazapine to help you sleep. I know it's has been amazing for me. I sleep like a baby every night now. Hope you feel better soon. I take sertraline 100mg too.

^ this totally. I've not gained any weight either and in terms of anxiety and insomnia it's changed my life. I did used to take half a 15mg tablet or was drowsy in the morning but my doctor told me it's actually the other way round and the more you take the less drowsy you will be so now I'm on 30mg.