Sertraline anxiety

[gingerface40]

Hello me again

I am currently on 100mg sertraline, been on this about 7 weeks. I do have a lot of stress at the moment with a poorly mother and being the only child a lot has been put on me.

I still feel extremely anxious. A bit like agitated and can't seem to switch off or even enjoy TV. I can sit on my phone for ages and read but I could not sit and watch a film.

I enjoy being with my friends which is nice but I still feel the constant need to make sure Everyone is ok and I can't settle. It seems to be getting worse.

If I go to enjoy myself I feel guilty. Or I am that anxious I can't enjoy it. My sleep is being affected now. It's horrible. Has anyone any ideas? X

Oh and I cannot eat! That is a massive struggle x

It's the fight or flight making it hard to eat. I had that for a few weeks and it was horrible. Lost weight like crazy.

Ok, are you taking proprananol for the physical symptoms? And bad sleep will make things worse. So when I was in a bad way with anxiety, bad sleep and inability to eat anything what worked for me was:

1. Steadily taking my sertraline
2. Taking proprananol once a day in the am for physical symptoms
3. I took sleeping tablets for 6 weeks as I couldn't switch off at all. I gave myself every night to midnight to sleep unaided. Suddenly I started sleeping again and stopped them completely but knowing I had them was a big comfort. I also would take half a one when I woke anything before 5am as that's when I'd wake in a panic for a while.
4. Every day do something 'good for me'. It didn't always feel good but either a walk, exercise or my preferred, hang out with a friend. That sort of activity starts to build you back up.
5. Keep some routine. Mine was a call with my sister, one with my mum, and from 7pm I'd go to bed with one of my kids and watch a kids show with them.

So I have joined the gym and I try to get my lashes done once a fortnight.

I am struggling even going to work.

I have no appetite at all. It's like I have lost all interest.

I'm not thinking bad thoughts or anything it's like I am constantly on edge. Like I can't relax

I was exactly like that. But you're doing great to keep up with exercise and self care. I do think you need to address the physical symptoms you are experiencing and that usually a short (or long as you need) course of proprananol.

I had them before and I nearly passed out! They made me soo light headed