Anxiety through the roof 😩

[Cantbelievethisihappening]

Anxiety and ocd ( checking , not believing what I see) is getting so terribly bad.
Will sertraline (or similar) help?
Getting desperate now.
Tried cbt, counselling l, hypnotherapy, etc - nothing works. Seriously impacting my life and can’t go on like this.

Medication definitely can help so please see the doctor asap. You honestly don't have to put up with feeling awful OP.

Setraline massively helps!
you should read panicking about panic- it’s a book on amazon
also challenge those god damn thoughts. See what happens when you don’t check for a day. Then the next day
then the next day
or check once then tell your thoughts to fuck off untjl eventually your pattern of negative thoughts unfold
makd it a positive thing- check once- reassure self
then reward with something small like watching a film etc or a hobby
yoj will associate something like checking with distraction
you have to retrain your brain
:) I also find the gym helps massively

Thanks so much for the replies so far. I have some sertraline but not been brave enough to try it yet. Feel totally conned by the hypnotherapist- £75 to listen to her saying what I’ve already been sent as a recording 😳

@Cakeandcoffee93 thdnks. I already do gym, classes,etc - good for me physically but no help t with the other issues sadly

@Cantbelievethisihappening if the doctor has already given you the sertraline fgs take it! Don't suffer needlessly

@Weatherwax13 thanks - I know I should. I’m scared of the side effects. Will
ir help with the ocd/anxiety though? Sounds like it’s more for depression and I’m not depressed.

I had extreme anxiety and OCD, I was spending an hour before bed just going in circles rechecking everything over and over. I was anxious about everything, if I had to drive somewhere alone my legs would be like jelly. I started sertraline and I feel like a different person. I don't have any symptoms of ocd anymore and my anxiety is (touch wood) very very mild. I was so scared to take sertraline but my husband was so blunt with me in the end and said if I don't bite the bullet I'm just letting anxiety win. I felt crappy for a few days after starting it, slightly more agitated for a few days and a bit hot and cold. But it was so worth it, do it, I promise it's changed everything xx

Another vote for taking sertraline. I have OCD and anxiety, and like you I was really really reluctant to take it.

It's been just over 2 weeks now and I feel hugely better. The first few days were a bit strange, I was very shaky and kinda felt like I was in a bubble but that's all gone now.

I have also felt my moods even out too. I didn't think I was depressed but I genuinely feel more joyful and more at peace.

Good luck x

I take sertraline for anxiety and it saved me, OP. When my youngest was 6 weeks old I was considering driving my car off a bridge. It saved me. Please take it.

@fourlambbhunas I’m so pleased it worked for you. Can I ask if you’re ok having a glass of wine or 2 on it?

Yeah I still have a few drinks when I want to with no side effects xx

Thanks everyone - sounds like sertraline is the way forward….

I suffer with anxiety. Sertraline defiently takes the edge off. Give it a go.

Is sertraline better than other SSRIs fir anxiety/ocd?

How old are you OP. Could you be perimenopausal?

@pfftt nothing to do with that in my case. Know it is for many though 😞

Does anyone know if sertraline is better than other SSRIs ( eg citalopram, escitalopram) for anxiety and ocd?

@Cantbelievethisihappening how long have you had OCD and anxiety?
Is it a recent thing or something that has always been there but has flared up?

When I looked into it I read sertraline can come with less side effects but of course everyone is different and a different one may agree with you more. Sertraline comes with a couple side effects for me but nothing compared to the awful anxiety and ocd xx

Perhaps you could get a short course of diazapam to give your brain a break and sertraline does help. My own experience was it helped initially then I ended up on 150mg dose with no effect. Good luck hope it works out for you.

I've taken both sertraline and citalopram for OCD and anxiety. Both worked well for me with no side effects at all.

The way my GP and psychologist explains it is it brings your baseline anxiety down. So then you can cope better when you feel things spiraling.

Give it a go. If you get side effects stick with it for a few weeks (unless severe, of course) then just stop. It's not something that will stick in your system long term.