Has sertraline helped you with anxiety?

[Imgonnaleaveyou58]

I'm due to collect my prescription this weekend, I'm struggling atm with a couple of things and need some support so I'm hoping this will make a difference.

The first issue is spiders, it sounds stupid but this time of year is hard for me, I can't relax in my own home where I'm meant to feel safe. I used to live a home on my own with tons of giant house spiders, i can handle small to medium ones but not the enormous ones.
I use insecticide in all the areas they're likely to emerge frol, I know it's cruel,
and block entrance points where I can but I can't fully relax, I'm constantly itchy and on edge with a racing heart. I work in a community-based role visiting homes and this morning a massive spider can across someone's floor, it's set me on edge and I know it's irrational but I just want to relax.

The second issue is driving, I have only been driving a few months and I try my best, I never speed or do anything unsafe but I'm constantly anxious about getting points, if I get beeped at by another driver I'm paranoid I'll get reported for careless driving, I'm constantly waiting for NIP in the post, nothing has come yet and I haven't caused any accidents etc. But I am constantly in fear of it, I know it's stupid, especially as I need to drive for work.

I can't sleep properly and always feel on edge. I try to talk things out but I'm hoping sertraline will help take the edge off things. Has anyone found improvement from it with anxiety or phobias? Thanks

Sertraline has changed my life. That sounds over dramatic but it’s true. My anxiety is less, my depression is less, I have so much more patience with the kids (I used to fly into mad rages). I also used to binge eat and spend a fortune online and that has massively lessened too.

Obviously drugs affect everyone differently but for me, it’s been a game changer.

It’s been a game-changer for me. Was prescribed citalopram about 10 years ago which in retrospect didn’t ever tackle the anxiety for me. I’m only on a low dose but Sertraline has made a big difference, and I just feel generally calmer. Have also had some talk therapy which has really helped. Give it a go, best of luck and hope you feel better soon

@MumAsYouAre how long did it take for the medication to work, until you started to feel better?

@Toutyabout three weeks but the doctor said it could take a fair bit longer.

Have you tried therapy to deal with the spider and driving issues?

Sertraline can have quite bad side effects as you get used to it including dizziness and drowsiness, so the advice is to avoid driving when you are first taking it. You might need to consider this if you have to drive for work. See what your GP says.

Yes. I've managed to learn to drive, pass my test and get a new job. I've dropped down from 150mg to 50mg and my therapist has said I should be on 50mg for life. I've had a few minor slip ups at work, very minor and instead of having panic attacks I've been able to just get on with it. When you have major anxiety issues 50mg doesn't stop everything but it's definitely been the reason I am able to drive and tackle a step up at work. Be prepared for lack of sex drive and excitement. Even in 50mg I can say I only feel I want sex once per month which affects relationships in other ways. Good luck! Xx

Yes - it saved my life. Awful side effects and the first few weeks on it were very hard. But totally sorted me out. Was only on them 6 months

Very interested in this, I am very much like you OP, it resonates so much. Similar fears (though a different insect) and catastrophising thoughts.

It reached an all time high recently and I started feeling down and angry on top of anxious and I think I just really, really need to do something about it.