Have you taken the SSRI antidepressant Zoloft (Sertraline) to help with your depression? Millions of people have taken this antidepressant and many have had success with managing depressive symptoms. However, since the drug doesn’t work for everyone and/or individuals may not want to be on an antidepressant for life, they eventually decide to come off of the drug. Withdrawal from an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) can be much more difficult than most psychiatrists think.
If you do not know what symptoms to expect, they may catch you off guard and your entire reality may get shook up. For many people, SSRI withdrawal is among the most difficult emotional experiences they will ever have to go through in their lives. For me personally, my withdrawal from Paxil was arguably the toughest thing I’ve ever experienced. It can be very difficult to deal with increased suicidal thoughts, dizziness, fatigue, and all of the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal may push you to your mental limits – most people would describe it as experiencing “hell on Earth.”
Factors that may influence Zoloft withdrawal:
Many people do not understand why different people have an easier time withdrawing from Zoloft, yet other people struggle. There are various factors that play an important role in determining your recovery time. Although doctors don’t explain this to you, the time span (how long you took your medication), the dosage, your individual physiology, and whether you quit cold turkey vs. conducting a taper – will all play a role in influencing withdrawal. Keep these things in mind as you come off of Zoloft.
1. Time Span
How long did you take Zoloft? Was it for a few months just to get over a depressive bout? Or have you been taking it for years to help treat major depression? In general, it is assumed that the longer you take a certain medication, the more difficult it is going to be to withdraw from it. The shorter duration that you took Zoloft, the easier it should be (in theory) to withdraw from.
2. Dosage (50 mg to 200 mg)
How much Zoloft were you taking? Most people take anywhere from 50 mg to 200 mg per day of this drug. 50 mg is regarded as being the therapeutic level of dose. If you were on a lower dose, it theoretically should be easier to come off of the drug than someone who was taking the maximum prescribed daily dose of 200 mg.
If you were on a larger dose for a longer period of time, it is going to take much more time to taper off of the medication and deal with the withdrawal symptoms than someone who was on it for a shorter period of time at the minimal dose.
3. Physiology
Individual physiology plays a role in determining how fast you recover from withdrawal. If you are pretty resistant to withdrawals from medications, you may not experience many symptoms at all. For some people, the withdrawal process is pretty easy and simple. For other people, the entire process can be a total nightmare. Other individual factors that play a role include: environment, social support, diet, and exercise.
4. Cold turkey vs. tapering
All antidepressant medications should be withdrawn from in a “tapering” manner to help ease withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey is not advised and may end up doing more harm than good. With a medication like Zoloft, it is better to gradually decrease your dosage over a period of weeks and/or months so that it gives your brain time to readjust itself.
If you quit “cold turkey” with no taper, you are essentially leaving your brain in a state of chaos. It is expecting to be fed a drug, and since it isn’t getting the drug, it is going crazy trying to make up for the lack of serotonin. In order to minimize withdrawal symptoms, it is highly important to do a slow taper from Zoloft.
Note: Most people retain the active ingredient “Sertraline” for up to 6 days and its metabolite desmethylsertraline for over 2 weeks after stopping.  As a result, symptoms may emerge with increased severity within 1-3 weeks after stopping.
Zoloft Withdrawal Symptoms: Extensive List
There are an array of symptoms that you may experience upon discontinuation of Zoloft. Although you may not experience all of the symptoms that are listed below, it is likely that you will experience some. It is important to understand that these withdrawal symptoms are normal and that you are not going totally crazy. When discontinuing any SSRI antidepressant, you may experience very severe symptoms.
- Anger: Some people experience extreme anger and/or rage at very minor things. Little things may really “set you off” and during the withdrawal, you may have a short fuse. Some people may get angry at the fact that they feel as if they cannot function.
- Anxiety: Since Zoloft is known to help with both anxiety and depression, coming off of it may increase anxiety to an extreme. While you are on the medication, it is inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. When you come off of it, there is no reuptake inhibition so you are left with decreased serotonin which may make you extremely anxious.
- Brain zaps: Some people experience a phenomenon known as “brain zaps.” This makes people feel as though they are getting electrically shocked or “zapped” in the brain by an electrical current. These may last awhile, but they will eventually subside as your brain readjusts itself to functioning without the drug.
- Confusion: Cognition may be impaired to the point that a person may get confused. Confusion is a common withdrawal symptom along with memory issues. It is especially common if you stopped taking Zoloft “cold turkey.”
- Cramps: It is very common to get cramps – especially in the abdominal area. You may notice stomach cramps and/or other cramps throughout your body as well. These should go away within a couple of weeks.
- Crying spells: Many people experience such sadness upon medication withdrawal that they cry a lot. This is a result of significant emotional pain and the person trying to cope with how they are feeling. It is very normal to cry a lot during the withdrawal process.
- Decreased appetite: For most people, SSRI medications tend to result in an increased appetite. Zoloft may have worked great at helping you eat and/or may have even caused weight gain. When coming off the medication, you may feel like not eating for awhile. Part of this appetite decrease may be a result of increased depression.
- Depression: Your depression may be worse while withdrawing from Zoloft than before you even started taking the medication. This has to do with your serotonin levels being thrown out of balance as a result of the drug.
- Depersonalization: It is common to feel unlike yourself and/or depersonalized. You may wonder if you are ever going to feel like your “normal” self again. Depersonalization may make you feel numb, like a zombie, or like an alien has taken over your body. This is just your brain chemistry trying to adapt itself to the withdrawal.
- Dizziness: Some people report feelings of dizziness for weeks, and in some cases, months after quitting Zoloft. The first couple weeks tend to be the worst in regards to dizziness. You may feel drunk and/or like you have no control over how you are feeling. This is part of drug withdrawal that you should know about.
- Fatigue: Coming off of an antidepressant may make you feel as though you have chronic fatigue syndrome – that’s how extreme the fatigue is. You may be unable to work out, and may have difficulty just getting through the day. Each step you take may seem as though it’s in slow motion – you just don’t have the energy to work quickly.
- Flu-like symptoms: For some people the withdrawal feels like they have gotten the flu. They may feel nauseous, achy, bedridden, and be unable to eat. In some cases they may even vomit if the nausea is severe. These extreme symptoms tend to go away after the first couple of weeks.
- Headaches: A person may feel as though they have a never-ending headache when coming off of Zoloft. This is because their brain is trying to figure out how to react without the drug to stimulate activity. The headaches in combination with the dizziness can make life difficult for awhile.
- Insomnia: Certain individuals sleep for extended periods of time during withdrawal, while others are so anxious and/or stressed that they are unable to sleep at all. They may stay up well into the night and be so depressed and/or anxious that they cannot sleep.
- Irritability: Little things may really irritate a person that is withdrawing from Zoloft. They may seem irritable during socialization and may have no desire to be around others. The irritability may build up to an extreme and they may act out with aggression.
- Memory loss: It has been reported that some people experience memory loss while withdrawing from Zoloft. I experienced this symptom when coming off of a different medication. Just know that although your memory may be lacking right now, it will eventually return to normal – it may take longer than you think though.
- Mood swings: It is very common to experience mood swings. One minute you might feel as if you are doing okay with the withdrawal, the next minute you may feel extremely depressed. Another minute you may feel extremely angry. Know that the mood swings are associated with your brain trying to readjust itself.
- Panic attacks: Due to the fact that your serotonin system is dealing with an even greater imbalance upon withdrawal, you may experience sheer panic. This is because the anxiety and stress may feel overwhelming. You are not accustomed to dealing with the way you feel coming off of a medication.
- Poor concentration: If you feel like your concentration is lacking for school and/or work-related tasks, you are right. Many people report being unable to function after withdrawing from an SSRI. Some people have had to quit their jobs because they were unable to concentrate following their withdrawal. This will eventually return to normal.
- Sleepiness: Certain people may just feel like sleeping for hours on end. This is because their brain is attempting to stabilize itself without the medication and work out the chemical imbalance that has been created. You may feel extremely sleepy and/or drowsy with no energy while withdrawing – especially in the early stages.
- Suicidal thoughts: Some people experience worsened depression while coming off of SSRI’s than they did before they first started. Most of these medications have a warning that while on them you may experience suicidal thoughts. These thoughts can increase tenfold when trying to withdraw.
- Weakness: Your mind and body have been accustomed to a certain drug for an extended period of time. When coming off of it, it is common to experience weakness in your muscles and joints. Since you may feel weak and have no energy, it can make life very difficult.
Zoloft Withdrawal Duration: How Long Does It Last?
There is no clear cut answer here for how long Zoloft withdrawal is going to last. The drug itself will be out of your body in relatively short order, but making a full recovery back to normal body and brain functioning may take an extended period of time. As a general rule of thumb, I suggest that you assume that the readjustment period will last at least 3 months and/or 90 days. Although I have taken Zoloft in my past, I hadn’t been on it long enough to experience a major withdrawal.
Other people have had withdrawals so bad that they have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer of the drug. Perhaps the most important thing you can do for yourself during withdrawal is engage in healthy activities. Make sure you are eating healthy, exercising, getting outside, socializing with friends and/or family, and doing the best you can at work or school. Eventually the symptoms will subside and you will fully recover from Zoloft withdrawal.
Understand that upon complete cessation of the drug, Zoloft stays in your system for between 11 and 12 days, with its metabolite “Desmethylsertraline” remaining for an average of 30.25 days. Â Variations in individual metabolism could dictate when the withdrawal symptoms become noticeable and/or most severe. Â Just realize that the process takes time and you should not expect to be 100% improved overnight – it will likely take weeks and/or months. If you recover sooner than three months – more power to you.
I am SO glad I read this post. I had no idea why it would be so difficult to go off of zoloft since I tapered off in the past month or so but the lightheadedness and “brain zaps” have been killing me. I never knew how to explain it to the people in my life why I felt so terrible but now I realize it may take loner to taper off than I originally thought. I had been on 100 mg for years and 50 mg before that for a total of almost 6 years. Emotionally my mood is very stable but the physical side effects are what is making me frustrated!
Hello. I am 18 and have been taking 100 mg of zoloft for two and a half years. I haven’t taken zoloft for a week and the WD is terrible. I wake up multiple times during the night, I have terrible brain zaps that are forcing me to move very slowly because if I turn to fast I get ‘shocked’ and it’s an awful feeling. Right now my hands and feet are itching severely and I’m scared that I may end up worse than before i ever took zoloft. When I’m on my medication I am fine and less anxious and irritable. But I’m starting to wonder if it was ever worth starting. I would really appreciate some tips on how to handle the WD symptoms…
Glad I found this, I’ve taken Zoloft/sertaline for the last 15 years, tried to go off a couple of times with a bad result so I went back on. Insurance changed and I stopped cold turkey although I knew not to but my prescription ran out and didn’t feel like finding a new doc and going though the process again. It’s been about 3 weeks and I’m really trying to stay strong. I can’t talk to my husband because he will call me cuckoo and that will throw me over the edge.
It’s been pretty bad which inspired me to google it and find this site it’s been very helpful for me! The brain zaps (I thought were prelude to an aneurysm) good to know its not!! Very irritable and weepy. I have three kids and a husband and I chose not to share it with them as it has not been helpful in the past. I don’t have anyone who understands what I’m going through!! Help?
Hey, I’m new to this but I wanted to put my experience in here because it seems like the more of us that come together in a time of distress, the easier it is to get through. I reluctantly started taking Zoloft four years ago, when I was fifteen. I was terrified that I’d be hooked on it for life, or become a zombie, etc. However, my mom had been diagnosed with a football sized ovarian cyst that turned out to be cancerous, and that was a bit too much for me to handle.
My psychiatrist recommended only taking Zoloft for about six months, because apparently, your brain is supposed to train itself to not get so worked up easily. Unfortunately, time flew by and I was too comfortable with my 50mg. (I’m very small, 100 lbs). I had tried weaning myself off of Zoloft with the consent of my pediatrician (the psychiatrist was a dumbass) and parents, only to realize the hell that was waiting on the other side of my precious Zoloft-locked doors.
The last time I tried to go off was January of 2015 and I had terrible suicidal thoughts, which was enough for me to pick up the pills again. I went through my first heartbreak (a three month long, nasty breakup) this summer and my pediatrician told me to up my dose to 75mg (the most I’ve ever taken, great way to deal with a breakup, huh?). This just made everything worse. I did not want to leave my bed. I literally wore a hole in my sheets from being in bed all summer long. I went back down to 50mg on my own and ended up feeling emotionally stronger than ever.
I decided to go down to 25mg in an effort to get off of the stuff on my birthday, August 25th. I’d figured I’d take 25mg for one month then nothing on September 25th. It hasn’t even been one week and the symptoms seem to be getting worse by the day. It started with dizziness and sleepiness. I went out of town this weekend by myself to see extended family and I was quite worried about driving alone, since I had noticed that I was easily distracted when driving. I’d just get fixated on a tree and not think about where my car was going.
I made it safely but found out that my best friend got in a car crash while I was out of town and I got the familiar burning stomachache that I used to get that would spark a panic attack when I was off Zoloft. I sat in a corner by myself and mentally calmed myself down, successfully! I headed home that night because I had terrible, emotionally upsetting dreams the night before and I wanted to just be in my own bed and check in on my friend. I seem to have terrible dreams about people being very mean to me every night.
I forget these dreams when I wake up but they come back in spurts throughout my day, sort of haunting me. I am definitely getting those “brain zaps” where it feels like a zap of electricity goes from your brain stem and numbs your body in a quick wave. The symptoms get worse at night. I feel like I am moving in slow motion, with shadows following me like in music videos, those special effects. I am also VERY achy all over. My bones and muscles are sore to the touch and radiate in pain even when I’m laying down.
These must be the flu-like symptoms? My lymph nodes are also very swollen in my neck and even behind one of my ears. I don’t feel like I’m getting sick, but I sure am achy and tired of it. I feel like I’m running on no sleep, I have huge bags under my eyes even though I get probably nine to ten hours of sleep per night, and I sleep through the night beside the nightmares. My sex drive has returned in full force… But I do have moments where I’m irritable or I just want to cry about nothing.
It’s healthy to cry now and then, you know? I have also found that I laugh at things much easier than before, which feels great. I’m determined to ride this out, even if it is hell at first. Nothing worth doing is easy, after all. I take tylenol for the bodily aches and hot showers work wonders. I have completely lost my appetite, even the smell of my favorite foods make me want to gag but I force myself to eat anyway.
I’m hoping this will only last for a few weeks because I feel like I’m definitely not myself but I also feel like I’m finally myself if that makes sense. I’m trying to see this as a good thing, going off of Zoloft. I send strength and loads of tylenol to all of you out there who are going through this. It’ll be worth it.
Are you feeling better from stopping the Zoloft?
Did you have sex drive while on Zoloft?
I am again attempting to get completely off Zoloft, which I have taken at a low dose (25-50 mg) for about 10 years. I have been doing a really slow taper and side effects have been manageable so far. I am now at 6.25 mg daily and my next step from here is to be completely off of it. I am worried about rebound depression, which I had SEVERELY last time I attempted this in April of 2014.
It set in about three weeks after the Zoloft was out of my system and it totally disabled me and frightened me and my family. I did not have severe depression before taking this — mostly mild depression and I would say moderate anxiety (now my anxiety is much worse). I am wondering: does the brain stop making its own serotonin or something after taking this medication for so long? Has anyone else experienced this?
Is there a supplement or something that can help until the natural process kicks in again? I am very scared of this happening, but I want to get off the Zoloft because I don’t like the side effects — emotionally dull, zero libido, weight gain. How can this be better? In the black of hole of depression in 2014, I went back on the Zoloft and felt normal for about a month, then the positive effects wore off and the bad effects set in.
My MD suggested increasing dose. I have just tolerated this dysthymia and Zoloft hangover for the last year and now I just want to be done again but I’m scared. Would love to hear from someone with similar experience and a success story! Thanks so much.
Antonia, good luck. Let me just suggest a further taper. Taper for a very long time, longer than you think. Snap those 6.25 bits in half (I’ll call it a nib) and take them daily. Then after a while take a nib every other day. Do not throw them away when you finally want to be free of it, then it becomes obsessional…you WANT more!
When you finally stop (and remember…there’s no race) if after a week or so you feel the need for more, take one of those nibs. If you keep them on hand and take a nib every now and then you can beat this. An article I linked above states that it is an addiction for the drug, not the serotonin effect, that causes this craving and that little bit can get you over this.
As for a supplement to help, I found Natrol’s Mood Plus to work. I cut it into a 1/4. It has some 5HTP in it which converts to serotonin in your brain. Because of this, DO NOT use it while you have any zoloft left in your system. You don’t know how sensitive your system is and you DO NOT WANT TO CAUSE SEROTONIN SYNDROME, which is unpleasant at a minimum and deadly at worst.
I want to thank you all for posting your experiences. Reading about how common and consistent the experiences of people who go off SRIs are has been an eye-opener, and a comfort too as I go through it. My story: on sertraline for about 4 years at 100mg to help me cope with chronic high levels of stress and psychological abuse at my workplace (to all employees, not just to me).
The drug worked well, but I didn’t want to stay on it so long term; but after leaving that workplace, I had a huge family tragedy to deal with, and only felt ready to go off the drug recently. Tapered to 50mg for 6 weeks; I experienced some difficulty concentrating at first, but little else. I stopped the drug 4 weeks ago, and I understand now it would probably have gone easier with a further taper first, but I thought at the time that the long decrease time would be adequate.
Not so. Since stopping, I’ve had significant difficulties with concentration and momentary confusion, though that’s getting better. I’m still struggling with tremendous irritability, sadness, and getting stuck in negative thought patterns. Even worse are the physical symptoms — queasiness, difficulty digesting, fatigue, weakness and body aches. I am grateful to have been spared the brain zaps others go through.
What astonishes me, learning how common all this is, is how it’s NOT talked about in the mental health field. I’ve been a psychotherapist for over 25 years, and have watched the rise of antidepressant prescription and the decline of the availability of psychotherapy (and its reconfiguring as a short-term, one size fits all, teaching-of-coping-skills shadow of what therapy used to offer).
I understand that the meds can be very helpful for many people; I’m one, after all. But it’s unconscionable that the effects of the withdrawal are so far off prescribers’ radar, and that the ways the drugs work affect so many other body systems well outside of brain neuro-chemistry are only now coming to light. Thank you all for sharing this info. Otherwise, it may never have been acknowledged.
I know this comment thread was started over a year ago and I’m not sure if anyone will read this…. But thank you. Thank you to whom ever posted this article/blog… Whatever you wanna call it. I’m currently 11-14 days off of Zoloft. (Can’t keep track because of brain fog and having a 2 year old son) regardless it has been a roller coaster. One that scares me and sometimes I feel perfectly ok and motivated.
I experience pretty much all of the symptoms mentioned at some point or another. But what led me to quit is that I was getting nauseous and DIZZINESS while on it. I thought I had some serious illness from all of the weird glitchy brain stuff and then one day it dawned on me “it’s probably the flippin Zoloft” once I found out that these were symptoms I would experience on withdrawal I knew it was time to get off of it. Thank you dearly to everyone who shared their story. It is comforting and reassuring to know I am not alone and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I will never again take a man made anxiety or depression medication. All natural for this lady from here on out. I just pray that the moodiness subsides before my son starts to notice (if he hasn’t yet) that mommy isn’t quite herself. Or the self she wants to be. Wish me luck! And I wish everyone a speedy recovery. All the love and peace to you all. -jane
I have experienced the nausea, headaches, anxiety, flu like symptoms and general moodiness anytime I have tried to stop taking Zoloft. I have been on 50 mg for nearly 10 years and would like to stop taking it. I was initially place on it by my doctor for anxiety and moodiness due to my high stress job and very high stress marriage. I now have a virtually stress free job and in a healthy marriage. I am going to try and ween myself off very slowly, by taking 25 mg for at least a month or two and then break those in half and so on. I hope it works.
I am so glad I read these comments, I have been on the drug for many years and finally had to quit cold turkey, because I lost my insurance and could not afford it. I have been feeling awful since I quit, most of the symtoms you describe I have. I have been off about a month now and everyday I feel worse, hope this ends sometime in the near future.
My wife took Zoloft for one month. About one week into the Rx, some side effects began to show up: coordination issues, muscle weakness and spasms, loss of muscle control. These side effects increased in severity until, after four weeks on Zoloft, I feared for her safety. With increasing frequency during those weeks, her leg muscles would “give out” (contract or convulse). She faltered several times, but not to the point of injuring herself.
She did fall a few times, but she was always close enough to something to help minimize impact. After a little more research on the side effects of Zoloft, it was clear that personal safety was more important than the limited benefits my wife was starting to notice with her occasional sense of depression during the day. The other side effects included muscle weakness and tremors (legs, arms, hands).
My wife was taking 100mg per day (in the morning). She tapered off to 50mg immediately. After a few days, she cut back to 25mg. The muscle tremors, convulsions, weakness and “falling down” incidents decreased within a day or two. Our goal is to discontinue this medication within two weeks. One week to go. She’s doing much better. Obviously this medication isn’t for everyone. If you’re taking it, benefiting from it, and not experiencing ANY of the side effects (there’s a long list, read carefully), then count your blessings/good fortune.
Hope things keep working out for you. The old recreational drug humor quip “Better Living Through Chemistry”…yeah, not so much. The big Pharms are NOT non-profit organizations. Develop, test, lobby, downplay/suppress the bad stuff, garner FDA aproval ($$$), then market and SELL. Oh well. We get what we ask for.
I have been on 100 mg of zoloft for almost 5 years. I quit cold turkey just over a week ago. I have every withdrawal symptom there is. It’s awful. Just absolutely awful.
I was on Zoloft for 6 years. Early this year I was up to 200 mg daily. I just stopped cold turkey 6 days ago. I feel horrible. Every symptom that has been experienced here I am having. The worst are the brain zaps. I really hope this goes away soon. I just want to be me again.
So, I mistakenly ran out of my dose this past Wednesday. I took it and told myself I’d refill it soon. I kept forgetting and here I am today. I am starting to experience symptoms of withdrawal and hate it. I am filling my med tonight to get back on roll! For me, this pill is a GODSEND!! It does the trick for me… takes the edge off, AND helps my Fibromyalgia… A LOT. I am SO frustrated with myself for allowing my irresponsibility to get me to this point, but I plan on rectifying this situation TONIGHT, and get back on roll!!
Has anyone experienced breast tenderness when having withdrawal symptoms? I went cold turkey from 100 mg about 2 weeks ago due to no refills and no time to make it to the doctor (I’m a teacher and with school just starting it’s so hard to find the time.) The main symptoms I’ve had were severe headaches, occasional crying spells and now, tenderness in my breasts. I just haven’t heard anyone mention the latter.
Yes I have noticed breast pain. I’m tapering off Zoloft. These posts have helped. At least I know I’m not going crazy. I want to try 5 HTP when I get through this. The bottle is waiting.
Thank you for this article! I went off this medication after years of being on it and thought I was going crazy! Knowing other people experienced this, that it was a common problem, really helped. I reread this article every week just to remind myself that it’s the drug withdrawal, not something wrong with me. Like when I cry at a commercial or get mad at my dog for wanting to be fed. Thank you!
I am having the worst dizzy spells after being on Zoloft for almost 2 years… 100 mg. I am 23, Female, and about 5’4″ and 125 lbs. I ran out of my script last week but my appointment isn’t until next week. So I’ve been off of it “cold turkey”. I can’t even move my head or my eyes even a little bit without feeling like the room is spinning.
In addition to the dizziness I’ve been experiencing horrible mood swings. Last night I went from screaming in anger at my boyfriend to bawling my eyes out… then straight to laughing hysterically over nothing. I seriously feel crazy. I wasn’t on Zoloft for depression, only anxiety. It did help me a lot, but I really hate the withdrawals.
I slowly tapered down to 12.5mg of sertraline every 2 or three days, over about 3 months, after over a year on the drug, my dose peaked at 150mg a day around December last year. It was prescribed for anxiety. I have one 50mg tablet left, and I am determined not to visit my GP for more, but I am constantly dizzy, regular ‘zaps’ which feel like a rush to the head, and also high sensitivity to changes in sound, so any turn of the head seems to bring on very odd sensations.
I am aching alot, and my emotions are returning, which for me is a good thing, because this drug had quite a zombifying effect. I am not knocking the drug, because I was in a bad place, and now I am a new person, so it helped, or at least I think it did, but although I understood about the discontinuation symptoms, I would have liked my GP to discuss them with me before prescribing.
In the UK, it is the cheap option if CBT doesn’t work, so I don’t think they like to put SSRIs down too much as it would create more need for deeper, longer term therapy. Luckily for me I took the tablets, and had private therapy alongside, and as I said my lifetime of social anxiety and worrying about everything has all but gone, but damn these discontinuation symptons, they are not pleasant at all!
I tapered from Zoloft for months and got down to 12.5 mg, then my psychiatrist switched me to 10mg of Prozac, which is much easier to withdraw from than Zoloft. I took 1 capsule every night for a week and then a capsule every other night for a week. I’ve been off completely for week. I’m noticing the dizziness and fatigue, but not the brain zaps and anxiety that I experienced the first time I withdrew from Zoloft. I’m hoping the symptoms get better rather than worse as time goes on. Anyway, if you’re trying to get off Zoloft or are experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms, you might want to talk to your doc about a short term small dose of Prozac to help you get through.
I have been taking 100-200 mg zoloft for 20 years, slowing cutting back. Is this normal… I’ve been vomiting, back aches and aches, hip bones ache, think I have bone disease! No brain zaps but angry and dizzy. Feel queasy most of the day. I have no tolerance and have to stay away from people – I’m so angry I could scream.
I feel you on the having to stay away from people! I’ve been so angry and impatient and it’s only been like a week for me! I have no appetite whatsoever and some dizzy spells, but that’s about it physically. I don’t really have any severe symptoms (yet?) but the psychological issues are already starting to build up. So far my anxiety hasn’t returned to pre-Zoloft levels but my distaste of other people… I haven’t felt this much hatred for people for years and it’s over incredibly insignificant stuff…
I have just come off of withdrawals. I have been taking 200 mg of zoloft daily for the past 25 years. One day, I don’t know how long ago but I beleive at least three week ago, simply forgot to get it re-filled. I started feeling all of the symptons described above, plus seeing double and my whole body trembling. I was having horrible nightmares, started planning my funeral and sought help from anyone who would listen. 2 days ago, at 4:00 a.m. I awoke and it hit me. I had forgotten to take it. As soon as the pharmacy opened, I got it re-filled and 4 hours later I was almost back to normal. One day later, I am a lot better.
I just tapered off Zoloft 50mg per day. Its been almost 2 weeks. The dizzy spells and loss of concentration is frustrating. I hope this doesn’t last for three months! I’m fairly tolerant with symptoms. I know my body is adjusting to the absence of the drug. What else can I do to speed up the adjustment besides meditation, exercise, and eating healthy? I should stop alcohol right? Any suggestions help.
I just cannot believe I am not the only person who feels this way! I was on 50-75mg of Zoloft for 2 years and recently decided to come off it. Hell on earth just scrapes the surface of how I feel. I am now more anxious and overthinking as ever! All my obsessive thoughts about my relationship with my boyfriend to if I’m truly happy have resurfaced, and it is a pain to deal with. But after finding this blog it gives me piece of mind to know that my annoyances about small things my boyfriend does is only because I quit my Zoloft cold turkey. I also want to thank everyone for their positivity that it does get better! :)
Oh my gosh! This is spot on with how my mother is doing. She was on 100 mg for 3 years and needed to lower her dose. It is a nightmare! She has over half of these symptoms. I pray I never have to go on this stuff because getting off is terrible!
Continuing on my last post… They moved me to 150mg the day after I had him for post partum. I remained on that dose for over 4 years now. I am also on 200mg or Wellbutrin. My husband and I may want to have another baby and I know being on that high of dose it’s not good. SO.. I decided to start very slow and taper off one drug at a time. So far I went from 150mg to 100mg for 4-5 weeks. Very subtle symptoms. I am now on week 2 of 50mg and my symptoms are still tolerable but I know they are there.
I have the dizziness randomly, mild headaches, major fatigue, more vivid dreams (not scary at all), and less patience. But like I said these are tolerable as I am tapering over a month span each dose coming down. I got my doctor to give me 25mg tabs do I can go down to that in a month. I am a hyperchondriac so this is huge for me to not have severe symptoms. I am big on breathing remedies and I have done so much research on meditation and yoga.
Also ways to deal with anxiety and panic disorders. I think I have taught myself to not let myself get out of hand by knowing I am ok and I am the one that controls how I react to feeling one come on. I haven’t had a panic attack in over 3 years. I wanted to share my story because I know how hard it is to feel like you’re going through this alone. I recommend having even 5 minutes to yourself daily to regroup and focus on taking deep breaths in and out just a few times.
It will be ok and if not and you have to go back on it to get back then that’s ok too. You won’t know unless you try if you can go off of it. I give those of you that went off cold turkey credit because I have heard that is something never to do because of the side effects. Good luck to everyone on here as I know everyone’s experience is different degrees of severity. Stay positive!
I read the list of withdrawal symptoms and I am having all but two or three. I’m in the second month of withdrawal after taking Zoloft for twenty years. OF COURSE the doctor said nothing about withdrawal and said since he put me on Wellbutrin as a replacement, I probably wouldn’t feel it much! First two weeks, couldn’t open my eyes and focus, electric sparks when I cut my eyes left or right, crying, tired, crazy… About six weeks later I’m still crying, depressed, dizzy, angry, anti-social, tired, trembling, and so on. The fact that the doctors NEVER tell me what to expect before jerking me off a psychotropic enrages me, especially now. @!&$:@!?
After cutting my tablet in half for a month then skipped 5 days before needing half a tablet to ease the stomach cramps. I now made it to 6 days. My head is still throbbing. My bald spots on my head still haven’t reshooted hair yet. Indian food and bananas seems to have a positive effect where as anything with caffeine in it seems to give me an out of body feeling followed by increase anger. If I could get away on a boat and escape on a boat right now is the only thing that could save me. I just don’t want to be here any more. I need freedom now!!!!
Reading this blog just saved a piece of me. I stopped Paxil cold-turkey and it was the worst experience ever. So I switched to Zoloft. But my MD and the inept & unprofessional staff at his clinic has not returned correspondence in a month to refill my prescriptions. And today, I waited 3 hours after being 10 minutes late to an appointment because there was a terrible crash in front of me) and he still ignored me and I am feeling all these symptoms. I honestly thought I was going crazy.
This article is very true. I’ve tried cold turkey and now I’ve tapered myself off for the past month. Both are hell to do. Cold turkey you feel dizzy, nauseated, it feels like your eyes dart, the brain zaps, and the anger. This time tapering myself off, the first few days I felt a little loopy and out of it, and I still feel nauseated everyday and have a headache every day, but I’m sure it will go away. My mood is great, my sex drive is better, and I’m much happier in life. My anxiety has increased, but I have medicine for that! Good article and very true to most of my symptoms.
Glad to hear you are having success with the weaning process and that you sex drive is back. That has been a huge issue for me. I am weaning off the drug due to the fact that I would like to start trying for a baby, but to make a baby you need a sex drive :). Anger has been a huge side-effect for me. It seems like just about anything sets me off or when I say some things to my husband I sound really mean. It is not my intention it seriously just shoots out of my mouth!
I was taking sertraline for 4 yrs at 200mg although was medicated on other SSRI’s for 20yrs. I am now on day 10 of cold turkey after family were on suicide watch. My thinking was that I couldn’t feel any worse if I stopped medication. I am experiencing a lot of the physical withdrawal symptoms such as brain zaps, swooshing feeling, numb lips, disorientation etc. Mentally though, I feel euphoric, full of energy and generally glad to be alive.
I have told my GP that I am going cold turkey and although what I am doing is not recommended, she is very supportive and is keeping an eye on me. People have commented on me looking more vibrant and lost that ‘dead pan’ look from my eyes. After 20 years I feel like me again and it’s great. Good luck to you all however you decide to withdraw…or not. Everyone is different and we have to do what we feel is right for ourselves :)
How have you been feeling from quitting Zoloft?
I tapered off of Zoloft from 150mg -100mg, then 100mg to 50mg, then 50mg to 25mg, then 25mg to 0. Doing each one week at a time. It was bad. If I had to do it again I would have tapered by 25mg amounts for longer intervals. For example, 150 mg to 125 mg for 2-4 weeks, then 125 mg to 100 mg for 2-4 weeks, and so on. I am not a doctor but I think a slower taper would reduce the withdrawal symptoms. I felt fine until I was on 25mg then the horror began.
Just my story!! I have been on and off Zoloft since I was 15 (am now 32), for me, it is a miracle. I suffer from horrible anxiety and panic attacks, this is the only “preventative” medicine I’ve ever found. I’m prescribed Xanax also, just in case I have a panic attack, but I refuse to take them unless absolutely necessary, due to its addictive tendencies and the fact that a benzo withdraw will kill you!! Anyway, I’ve stopped and started Zoloft over and over and only speaking for myself, I’ve never noticed any signs or symptoms of a withdraw, except the last few days.
I had forgotten to take it for a few days and I’ve been constantly in the bathroom. I’m guessing this is why?? Anyway, I appreciate your article, doctors don’t tell you this stuff when they’re dolling out meds! After reading this, I consider myself lucky!! I will be more careful though, in the future! Thank you for an interesting read!! Good for you for getting this info out there for others to read and learn what we are all doing to our bodies with pharmaceuticals!
I just googled “One month off of Zoloft and increasing anxiety.” This blog came up and reading it, in many ways, was connecting directly to my reality and I almost feel understood in ways the medical staff at my doctor’s office doesn’t completely understand (they’re great people, don’t get me wrong). I’ve had different symptoms at different times.
While tapering off I had fatigue, chest pains, dizziness and found myself to be much more emotional. A couple of weeks off I was dealing with emotional highs and lows, excessively chatty at times and also brutal headaches. Now three weeks to a month off, I am really feeling emotionally raw and easily angered, I am on edge and wound tighter than a drum. I’m ready to fight anyone and anything that crosses me in a much more exaggerated way than necessary or normal.
The good thing is, I’m not depressed in the way I was when I first sought out help. I will always appreciate what the medication did for me (100 mg for over a year). It really got me out of a dark place but this withdrawal is hard; harder than I expected and harder than I think many doctors are aware. At least this article validated what I’m going through and for that I am grateful. Hearing this could stretch out three months…not what I wanted to hear but at least I’m hoping this too will pass and things will stabilize a bit.
I really don’t want to go back on this, even at a low dose. The good news, my appetite has returned to normal (it went through the roof when I was on the Zoloft) and I’m losing some of the Zoloft weight (10 of 30 pounds or so, so far) I had gained over the last 15 months. This withdrawal is rough though.
Update – I left the 8/1/2014 post far above. Just an update…it’s been almost a year and lo and behold – I no longer want, need or crave sertraline. It was a hellish ride, some days AWFUL, but I didn’t want to get back on and go through this again so I kept at it. Yep, it took a long time but I don’t need it at all. But before you do anything rash based on this post, please read my other ones. The circumstances of my depression had been resolved, it wasn’t a “clinical depression” diagnosis (just stressful times), and I tapered slowly over months. I am not saying I don’t have down days, because I do. But who doesn’t? I think I’m back to normal. Good luck to all.
Thank you much for this easy-to-read article recounting your experiences. I literally typed in “what happens to your body when quitting Sertraline cold turkey” because I’ve been on Sertraline (Zoloft) for about three years and due to appointment conflicts and holidays slowing the mail, I’ve been without my daily 100mg for going on seven days. (Only seven?! It feels like at least three weeks!).
So! Just adding my own experiences; am experiencing the Brain Zaps and dizziness and fatigue like crazy. Some anxiety but not too bad, also some nausea, but also not too bad. Irritability has always been my “friend” but I’m trying to kick that relationship, like, three years ago. I have a feeling my Rx will arrive in the mail soon and I’m trying to decide if I will take a small dose every other day to help with the withdrawal or if I will just take this thing down (“I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!”) because I want to prove to myself that I am stronger than my body, and that I can go through this nasty, messy process and come out better for it.
BUT. I am willing to see. To decide what will be best for me- and if that means staying on Sertraline, well gosh darn it, call me a pill-popper! Anything for a sweet, delicious, happy life! All of these are just my own thoughts and are in NO way directed in judgement toward ANYone. I applaud EVERYone going through the hard parts of life in honesty and strength. Thank you all for sharing; I don’t feel as alone or critical of myself when I read your comments.
Holy cow this sucks. Middle of the day here and sunny I’m hearing frogs like at night. There are no damn frogs but the 50mg I quit taking cold turkey Zoloft. I now wish that I would have used LSD in school like some of my peers. I feel like what I’ve heard tripping must be like. I’m going to self medicate with alcohol until this sh*t stops. I’m not taking anything that messes me up like this again. I wish I could slap that money hungry doctor bastard now.
I went cold turkey on Sertraline without realizing it (part of my routine at work, went on vacation) and decided to just stay off it. Its been about a month and the withdraw symptoms have really kicked in. I am very irritable and angry. Get mad over the smallest stuff. My job is very stressful and I am in the process of getting a divorce on top of it. I am thinking of going back on until the rest of my life calms down. I really don’t want to but I can’t live like this.
Since you didn’t intend to get off, AND you’re going through so much, perhaps now is not a good time to stop. Maybe you want to wait until your life is more settled and then SLOWLY taper off.
Hell on earth is right. I took Sertraline for four years, and I’ve only been off it for four days. Started at 150mg, then slowly over the years going down to 50mg daily. My doctor told me nothing about discontinuation symptoms. He told me to taper over a single week. I tapered slowly over three, and even that felt terrible, mentally. I knew my mental state would change coming off this medicine, however I was still surprised when self-harming thoughts appeared out of nowhere (something I’m lucky to never have dealt with before, even at my worst). But the physical symptoms of discontinuation hit me like a Mac truck; I was completely unprepared.
I’ll be fine for a few hours at a time, just tired, a few zaps, dizzy if I move too quickly. But then suddenly it feels like my brain is trapped in jello– the confusion and zaps and dizziness can be so bad I can’t follow a simple conversation. Every evening I get super nauseated, feverish, and it feels like my body is pulsating or throbbing constantly; like I get zaps and dizziness every time I blink. And this is day four. I have some choice words for my doctor, I was 100% unprepared for this kind of difficulty; I plan to hand him several medical research articles about Antidepressant Discontinuation “Syndrome” at my next appointment.
I was on Zoloft (minimal dose) for 8 months, and I felt great. Now I’m 2 months off… and well I cant stand anyone, I stopped talking to my friends and am constantly depressed and anxious, and it’s not getting better whatsoever, if anything I have been feeling worse lately.
Thank you to everyone sharing your experiences on here. Your comments have helped me deal with going off of Zoloft. I was on 50 mg for 15 months. My doctor and I decided the reasons for being on Zoloft no longer existed. I followed my doctor’s advice for how to tapper off of it. Even following his plan exactly I still had serious side effects once I completely stopped.
I had dizziness, brain zaps, severe nausea, and upset stomach. I will never take a medication like this ever again, I can’t believe how my body relied on it and what it did to me. I am now going the natural route and get myself healthy once again. I now understand why people sue drug manufacturers.
My doc retired earlier this year. On March 15, 2015, new doc took me off Zoloft after taking 100 mg daily for 20+years. Results: No depression, no anxiety, etc. Minor issues: Now wake 3-4 hours earlier each morning (was sleeping til late morning) / Can’t listen to a sermon in church without weeping. Major issues: Severe joint pain in hands and feet / tired aching muscles in legs / swelling in hands and feet. Good news: As of 6/18/15, joint pain just now subsiding, swelling tapering off. Had sex this morning for first time since March. Hopefully will achieve normality in another few weeks.
Ugh, I reacted horribly and had to stop the drug after only two weeks. The side effects seem to be coming in waves in the evening or night, sometimes strong and full on panic attacks/ suicidal thoughts or just some cramping. Seeing this page explains so much and was so reassuring that I’m not going crazy! Thank you, only two months and two weeks until the clear if this is right.
Thank you to all of you who are sharing your experiences. This has been a tremendously productive read for me. An hour ago, I was lying in my bed battling with the usual looping questions and arguments in my head and had literally just written ‘what is this sadness about?’ Now I feel like an enormous weight has lifted from my shoulders.
I started taking Sertraline about 20 months ago to manage major depression after exhausting all the usual tools in my kit, exercise, healthy eating, being with good people, etc. It took a good six weeks for it to kick in but for a while there I was on 200mg a day and the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks. Over the last few months I have taken myself down to 75mg a day with a view to being off them completely in another month and by the time I’m on an overseas trip.
Reading all your experiences has made me rethink this. Now, as throughout the whole experience, I have underestimated the emotional side effects. I am going through a pressured time at work and live away from my closest friends and family. It has been really helpful to realize that I’m experiencing a sadness and lethargy connected to my medicine that is separate to the tough, tiring times at work. Sure, hey don’t help each other but neither are they causing each other.
Being able to segment and break this down has stopped everything feeling so overwhelming and makes me feel better equipped to cope. Some things are within my control, others are not. I feel very strongly that there is a positive transition in sight but mostly, after reading everyone’s experiences and reviewing my own in a renewed light, I am reminded to take it one step at a time and the best thing we can do for ourselves is to be kind to ourselves. Be kind, be kind, be kind. Good luck.
I really hope that drug manufacturers pay attention to commentary like this. I literally feel 10x worse than I did before taking Sertraline. My neck constantly hurts, my appetite is so off the walls, and I’m starting to wonder if I am bipolar or just having manic withdrawal symptoms. No one should take this. I have heard way more complaints about this drug than anything positive.
Hello! It is NOT hell on earth. I’d really like to put a positive spin on this thread! My story – I’d been prescribed sertraline after having a health scare and being petrified that my children would lose their mother. I suffered from acute anxiety and depression, and, after a long discussion with the GP and many failed attempts at engaging with CBT and exercise that an SSRI would be the appropriate next step. After 4 months of taking Sertraline, I decided to stop as it was preventing me from sleeping.
I felt like I was permanently wired. I’d wake up at 2am feeling like electric was being volted through my arms and fingers. For me this was horrendous. The most precious thing / and beneficial thing is sleeping well. I decided that not taking SSRI drugs and sleeping better would be the best course of action. I was right. I HAVE NOT consulted my doctor. I have managed this by myself sensibly, positively and happily. I cut the drugs in half over 4 weeks and then in half again over another 2 weeks.
Going from 50mg to 25mg of sertraline was easy as they snap in half but then you have to cut up the remainder with a knife. Still, if you manage it and organize it properly, it works. For those nights, as the bumpf tells you, you wake up at 2am and feel anxious, take some zopiclone and sleep – I did that twice in 2 months. But wow! Being off it is so much preferable to being on it! I want to say that it’s not hell on earth!
In terms of withdrawal symptoms – yes I felt a bit sick a couple of times but I ate loads of porridge – that sorted out the nausea and I drank loads of water! Yes – I had loads of brain zaps (as your brain gets back to normal) but it’s quite good fun! It is not ‘hell on earth’ it’s OK. If you feel positive and want to feel normal again, you will – and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
I’ve been on sertraline for 14 years. I started at 50 mg a day. After a few years, it increased to 75, then 100, then to 150 mg about 6 mos. ago. It never solved my depression problems. I still had severe PMS every third month, it caused me to grind my teeth at night, I felt stiff and unable to sleep or relax at night without pain killers. I had no libido, which was a huge issue with my marriage, it caused more anxiety than lessening it.
It just wasn’t working. I decided that it no longer was doing what I needed it to, so I started tapering off a month ago. Going from 150 to 100 wasn’t too bad. I had only been on that dose for a month or two. I had flu-like symptoms for about 4 days, then it subsided. I gave myself a few days before reducing again. 100 down to 50 resulted in the same symptoms, plus nightmares, brain zaps, sleepiness, and the inability to speak in coherent sentences (i.e. mixing up my kids’ names, not able to express what I wanted to say.)
However, there was a week where I felt amazing. For the first time in years, I started “feeling” again. I got excited about upcoming events. I “wanted” to be intimate with my husband rather than loathe it. I was actually able to relax to go to sleep without muscle relaxers. I felt amazing. It didn’t last… Then from 50 to nothing has been awful! Go figure.
I’m 4 days off and my old feelings of no one likes me, they’re talking about me are back, along with insomnia, flu-like symptoms, extreme sleepiness, extreme grouchiness, sensitivity to noise and smells, nightmares, restless legs, inability to connect my words to create a coherent sentence, etc. It’s a long list. If I don’t feel better in a month, I may go back to 50 where I felt the best. I’m torn because sertraline helped, but it caused a lot of problems. Now without our, I feel better in some ways and have new problems. It’s going to take time and patience.
Oh man. I’m experiencing this right now. I didn’t want to come off of it yet, but I didn’t have the money to buy it. At the 4th day is when it’s the worst. I don’t want to be by myself because I’m scared. I want to cry over the dumbest things (literally. And I feel so stupid) awful awful flu like symptoms. I feel like every symptom you listed, I have. My brain feels foggy and I just feel stupid. I’ve been on it for 3-4 years. Not quite ready to stop it with these feelings. Someday! (:
I was taking 150 mg for a very very long period of time and I just stopped cold turkey. I didn’t feel like it was doing anything – it was just another pill to take, but now I’m so angry for no reason and just want to cry and sleep all the time. I can’t eat with out getting sick…and my family just keeps getting angry with me because they don’t understand.
Makes friggin sense now! Crying, weird body/brain zaps, and sore/weak. Recently stopped sertraline… Good to know!
I came across this article whilst Googling about withdrawal symptoms and I have to say that I am incredibly comforted to read about withdrawal symptoms that have been driving me crazy!! There is so much out there about the physical withdrawal symptoms but this is the first time I have read an article about the emotional and mental withdrawal symptoms.
I’m currently withdrawing from Sertraline – original dose was 200mg – have dropped by 50mg for one month and have dropped the dose again so I am now taking 100mg and, oh my god, I feel like I have been going crazy. The depression is seriously beating me with a massive stick. I’m so relieved to know it’s the withdrawal, not me. Sending best wishes to anyone on the same journey…it’s like Hell on Earth but we can get there!!
Thank you so much for this article…I’ve shared it on Facebook as my poor husband has been at the receiving end of my erratic and frightening thoughts/emotions. I’m glad to know it’s the withdrawal and that it’s normal. Thank you!
It’s been heartening and disheartening to read people’s stories here. The good bit is realizing I’m far from alone, but sad to hear how awful people have been feeling whilst trying to come off Sertraline. I’ve been on it for almost 5 years after a major depressive episode. Over the years I’ve come down from 150mg down to 100mg and then down to 50mg. Life has moved on, I have coping strategies in place and I’d like to feel like “me” again so twelve days ago I started trying to reduce from 50mg to 25mg (half a tablet) and I now feel totally crap.
Vomiting, headaches from hell that won’t respond to painkillers, stomach pains and cramps and feeling really, really tired. If I knew it would be all over within “X” amount of days or weeks I’d stick it out, but right now I feel on the edge of a precipice and don’t know whether to throw in the towel and go back to 50mg or just take a deep breath and soldier on. It’s very hard.
I didn’t have any major problems with dropping the dosage before so this has come like a sledgehammer. Thinking of everyone trying to get off this medication. OK, it’s helped me through a very bad time, but nobody said it would be such hell to get off when the time came. I hope these symptoms are over with soon.
I’m so terribly sorry to find out many people are struggling with Sertraline withdrawal… I have been on Sertraline 50 mg for about a year or so and it worked miracles. 5 weeks ago I reduced to 25 mg, and successfully quit smoking without nicotine replacements. 10 days in a row I have been exercising and eating healthy challenging myself to get my 5 a day. 3 days ago I stopped Sertraline completely and that is the reason I’m here.
Yes, I have some brain zaps (I love them… so fun!!) and tinnitus, I was just wondering for how long it’ll last. The most annoying part is tinnitus, but I survived it when I began my treatment, also when I quit smoking. I’m pretty sure it will last for no more than a week. My brain zaps get worse during my workout making me break in laugh attacks and forcing me to workout even harder.
I’m beginning to enjoy them. My fuse is quite short and I’m volatile but I don’t regard it as a withdrawal symptom rather than the good old me before I turned more lenient with those around me while under the influence of this marvelous drug. My advice for all you is to hang on :) I’m extremely grateful to Sertraline and the wonderful trip it gave me through difficult times, but now it’s time to take different roads. Just go with the flow…
I feel you have the healthiest attitude! I’m in the same boat. I’m very active, and get a little confused in withdrawal by the slowness of my movements occasionally, especially when followed by the intensity my feelings allow me to funnel into workouts. I laugh at the feelings, and I believe it might be easier for me because I have a medical marijuana card (California), and I’m more accustomed to the numbing and mind-altering effects of pot.
I truly wish everyone had access to pot under these circumstances. There is no denying how terribly awful withdrawal can be. I tapered off from 100 to 25mg over six months, and then stopped a week ago. I thought about taking a dose every other day, but the reality is that like all drugs, when quitting there are consequences. You kind of have to just grin and bear it as your can.
Go easy on yourselves! Don’t focus too much on the negative. One of the hardest things is going through these forums and reading all the negativity. That’s not a criticism. It’s a reality. We want to be reassured, and instead we read pages of complaints about it being the worst thing ever etc. Perhaps it is, but it’s real and happening, meaning that we have to accept it.
I personally seem to be managing to stay focused on the things I want to gain from not being dependent on an SSRI. I look forward to a healthy libido, a return to form in terms of personality engagement, as well as an independent metabolism. For many, it sounds like you need to remember what you were like before you took the pills. I was always fiery and wired prior to starting sertraline 4.5 years ago.
As I am now 40, I’ve accepted a lot of my calmness as being age-related, but in truth, I am very youthful and prefer to feel the energy, good or bad, than be numb and despondent. Perhaps for others they like themselves better under the influence, or they simply forgot who they used to be. Life only happens once to the best of our knowledge. Look at this as an experience among many.
And try to laugh whenever you can. It is quite comical. You can still function with brain zaps. You can adapt to everything. And as doctors seem to have no clue about these drugs and their effects, I’d suggest you keep track for yourself, and simply know that if you feel in need of urgent care you can receive it. Cheers to everyone! Be as positive as you can. Only you have the power to do so.