Depression and anxiety sertraline

[Habitwater133]

Hello. I’m 20 years old with a 2 year old. I’ve always suffered with panic attacks but from the last 2 years things have got worse, I’ve got general anxiety and health anxiety and now I’ve got depression. I was giving sertraline 5 months ago and read a possible side affect being hallucinations, ever since then I’ve fixated on it and can’t take them for the fear of getting them. I’m struggling so much now, I’ve no idea what to do. I can’t sleep, I don’t wanna leave the house, I am so lost. I know I should take them but everytime I open the packet I start crying

Can you call your doctor and explain?

They may be able to help, prescribe something different or a different dose

I have told them and they have said well hold off on medication until I can be seen by mental health team which I was referred to 8 months ago now.

@Habitwater133

I have told them and they have said well hold off on medication until I can be seen by mental health team which I was referred to 8 months ago now.

It's a nightmare the wait isn't it. Have they given you any information that might help in the mean time?

I have worked in mental health for over ten years and never met anyone with hallucinations as a side effect of Sertraline. It is a very safe drug. Are you able to access any therapy in the meantime through your local Iapt Services?

I’ve been doing 6 free sessions with pips for cbt not helped at all and the therapist has said she’s worried about me and wanted me to ring gp to get seen but they don’t see face to face anymore and just said hold off on medication till mental health can see me, I’m in a few mums groups and seen peoples horror stories of it and it’s really scared me senseless, I’m here alone with a 2 year old till 5/6pm every day no one calls in apart from my partner when he’s home from work so it’s frightened me that if it happens and my baby’s here alone with me

No they just sent me out a leaflet with deep breaths

I started setraline in October after my marriage broke down and had to move. I’ve had no hallucinations but I’ll not lie first week was tough, felt very sick and anxiety was worse but I’ve gradually felt better and since Christmas I’d say I’m back to myself. Looking back I’ve suffered from anxiety and probably a bit of depression for a long time. I’m much older than you and have also started hrt but it definitely started at your age with first child. I’m starting counselling next week but honestly the tablets have really helped. Good Luck

I’m glad they’ve worked for you! Did you start feeling better after the first week and was it 50mg you started at?

I had ptsd and anxiety after my daughter was born early and my mother died all in the space of a few months. I’m on sertraline and it’s made me feel a lot calmer and I’ve stopped having heart palpitations or catastrophic thoughts. No bad side effects here. Hope you feel better soon and get the help you need you are not alone x