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. Variations in individual metabolism could dictate when the withdrawal symptoms become noticeable and/or most severe. 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’ve been on antidepressants my whole life I was on celexa for 6 years and switched to Zoloft about 5 years ago and I started to get worse anxiety on it so I’m slowly tapering myself of them and it’s been HELL! I’m 17 years old and I shouldn’t be going through this. I have brain zaps, worse anxiety, confusion, loss of appetite, and I feel like I’m going crazy.
I love my boyfriend but recently he’s been trying to love me and comfort me and I just push him away and fight with him. I’m way of balance and I’m starting to get this heart burn in my chest and every time I eat and goes down really slow and it hurts. I don’t feel like myself at all and it’s scaring the hell out of me. I feel like I’m out of my own body.
I’m on a 50mg and just have been cutting them in half and started to go off them about a month ago. Can I just go back to my regular dose? I’m sick of feeling like this and I’m so angers and emotional. Please help
Thank you for writing this article. It is invaluable to me. It’s the only one that I found that contains the amount of information your article does and is as accurate. I found your article one night while searching the web while experiencing insomnia. So you see sometimes insomnia has it’s benefits. (trying to stay lighthearted here).
In addition, all the comments that have been posted are very important to me as well. I too have been sharing many of the symptoms the readers describe. Before I found your article I was frightened of what was going on with me, even through my doctor did warn me this could happen. However hearing about it from people going through it is much better than a one sentence warning 9 months ago when I was put on it and then somewhat forgot.
I am too raw right now to post my own experiences however I will once I get a little more removed from the agony of it. I also hope that you keep this site open for a long time, it’s important to us going through it that it is open and that we can continue to support each other. Some of the other discussion boards I found were closed. Thank you again.
Thanks for the info. I’ve been on zoloft for 6 years, 50mg to 75mg. With my doctors help I’ve been weaning myself down for the last 3 weeks from 75mg to 50mg, just went to 25mg last night. I’ve had many of these withdrawal symptoms esp. Extreme tiredness and forgetfulness, dizziness. It’s awful but after reading your article I will keep plugging away, I was almost ready to give up!
Day 3 off the zoloft. Extremely tired esp. Mornings. Still a bit foggy headed. Trying so hard to take it easy on myself right now…a little weepy and agitated at times but it’s actually better than when I was on the zoloft.
Hello, I have been on Sertraline 50 mg and Anafranil 10 mg for 2 years. First I quit Anafranil cold turkey – and then tapered of Sertraline to 25 mg a week and now I have stopped taking it all since the last 4 days. I have been angry, anxious and extremely irritated since the last 15 days. I seem like I can not deal with car honks, loud sounds, noise and even dog barking at all.
I do occasionally have brain zaps, I am light headed and have a bit of nausea.( I would freak out if I hadn’t read about the “brain zap” notion on the web before quitting). I do cry, but not suddenly. I easily cry when I read a sad story on the news… Which actually to me is the only single best part of quitting, at least I got my feelings back. I think meditating twice a day is helping me deal with all of this a bit easier.
But I also have a tiny good feeling which appears from time to time which helps me. Also despite mild mood swings and depressive, self-pity thoughts I have this determination to get through this. I really have no idea where this determination comes from. :) I wish you all strength and serenity during your quitting phase.
I had been on Zoloft (sertraline) for over 15 years and due to recent and financially devastating divorce tried to cut my expenses by cutting out my medication. I been off for 3 months now. BIG MISTAKE!! Even though I tried to when my self down, with in a few weeks of completely stopping I had the depression, and self pity, my life sucks attitude, the crying has consumed me again.
Then the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life started. My skin started crawling like I had bugs underneath it and the itching was insane. I had sores from the scratching and had to go to dermatologist to make sure it wasn’t contagious, even though I was pretty sure myself it was withdrawal symptoms, no one would believe me.
The itching, skin tingling, skin zaps have gotten so bad it is effecting my ability to function during the day as a normal person. I just want to give up or stay in bed. No over the counter meds or lotions can stop the torment. Now I have hives everywhere except my face and welts. It’s absolutely unbearable. I’m at work now just going through the motions.
I’m going to make an appointment to go back on it soon or I’ll never make it. I never wanted to have to go back on it again, but apparently I can’t function without it. I’m scared if I don’t I will lose my job and have two teens to take care of. They need me. They are suffering as well. Sorry for all the pain this medication has caused.
Wendy, I am currently going off it as well. I just wanted to acknowledge your post and for what it is worth know that I feel for you and what you are going through. I am having a very hard time with the medication myself and I don’t have nearly as many stresses in my life that you do. Hang in there, I really believe it will get better for you.
I was taking Zoloft max dosage for 2 years. I had to unexpectedly quit cold turkey thanks to an unprofessional therapist. Let me start of by saying I have never really been suicidal, but 4 weeks into coming off the medicine the thought crosses my mind everyday. This is the worst I have ever felt in my life, I literally can’t control my ANGER.
While I was taking the medicine I had the ability to evaluate and assess situations, now I resort to anger. No matter what is happening, all I feel is anger. Then the guilt that follows after screaming at my children causes me to contemplate suicide, thinking of how much better they would be without me screaming 24/7. I am not going to off myself, I just want to know when I will feel normal again, I just need to know when I will feel better???
I have been on 50 mg of zoloft for one yer and trying to cut to 25mg. My chest feels like it is fluttering and jumping, could these be symptoms of withdrawal?
Elizabeth, yes. I went through this for a few days after dropping from 25 mg to 0 mg. They should go away. I am no longer having what felt like heart palpitations. I smoke cannabis to distract my mind now. My worst symptom is just insomnia.
Thanks for posting this. I’ve never had a problem sleeping before, in fact quite the opposite, now I can’t get to sleep. And then I’m exhausted all day. I’m on day 3 of 0 mg. Did have heart flutters but that’s gone now. How do you know if you still have depression or if it’s withdrawal symptoms? Time??
I have been off a 25mg dose (down from 150mg) since June 1st. It is now June 17th. I am now able to get out of house and perform day to day routines. Still very difficult. I may have screwed up by taking 5HTP just days after stopping the SSRI. I have not taken it in over a week. When is it safe to start taking 5HTP OR Saint John Wort? Thank you all very much for your words of encouragement and good luck to all on getting off these terrible meds!
This is my non-medical professional opinion only you need to decide for yourself. Research how long it would take for zoloft to be completely and utterly out of your system. Probably then you could start with a low amount of 5htp. But are you sure you want St. J Wort? Wouldn’t that be the same as being on zoloft? Check out the withdrawal symptoms first (I haven’t so I can’t comment on if there are any).
Been on zoloft 50mg for a little over a year and decided I no longer needed it. 1. Because I started to build a tolerance and experienced withdrawals even while actively taking the medication. 2. My “crazy” spell was over. I was really stressed about school, had a health scare, and work and finally it dawned on me, life is stressful and the only way to get over it is to deal with it one day at a time. Embrace the crazy!
I decided to quit the medicine cold turkey and I had withdrawals. Brain zaps, flu-like symptoms, extreme fatigue, etc. Long story short I was miserable and I had to go back on it. Then I tried tapering which also proved to be ineffective as I still experienced withdrawals. Then I hear that the Ocean Blue omega 3 supplements helped with energy and brain zaps and found this brand at publix.
Well that helped tremendously! I have quit the medication cold turkey again I have been off for about 3 weeks with few withdrawal symptoms. I have, however, taken two doses in between these 3 weeks just because I went on vacation and needed the extra pick me up. Unlike what google says, as soon as this medication gets in my system no matter how long its been it immediately begins to work.
Maybe it mental or a placebo effect on my part but anyway, I’ll take it. I would say that since the 50mg is such a “low dose” it’s okay to stop cold turkey once you get the omega 3 supplement in your system and when you get to the point where life seems unbearable (usually after 5 days-7 days) take a dose just to keep your serotonin levels somewhat elevated/normal or give your brain it’s “fix”.
Keep doing that until you no longer need the medication> This has proven to be somewhat effective for me. Hopefully it continues to work. I do not like relying on medication.
I am so happy I found this page and all you wonderful people. I am 30 years old and have been on and off SSRIs since I was 16. Last 8 years has been Zoloft. Was at 150 mg but down to 25mg for several months with no real change. I went cold turkey about 10 days ago. Thought I had reduced enough but with no insurance for doctor (I was just laid off) it was with no guidance.
Headaches and sensitivity have been OK for the last day. No sleep it seems without ambien or OTC sleep aid. Haven’t gotten brain zaps as of yet during THIS withdrawal. I did start taking 5HTP almost immediately after cessation and just now found out that could bring on serotonin syndrome. So no more of that for… a month? Chest pains are worst symptom at the moment.
Tempted to take 12.mg but don’t want to stump progress or further risk serotonin syndrome. Unfortunately I also ran out of Lorazepam too. Marijuana seems to help distract but getting high tends to lead to emotional fits. Any other options for relaxing/distracting? I am finding myself self medicating with alcohol and am afraid to dig an alcoholic hole. Anyhow sorry for the long rant. Good luck to all of you out there!
I just wanted to say that I am so happy to have found this forum. Ive been taking zoloft for 5 years now for clinical depression and bipolar 2. I’ve been tapering off of zoloft for a month now and have gotten from 150MG to 75mg. It really has been hell on earth. The dizziness and nausea are the least of my worries. I have been lashing out at my mother and family (and I have never had anger issues), been on the verge of tears at all times, and have a hard time finding motivation to get out of bed in the mornings. But at least I am not alone. Thanks for letting me vent here.
I was taking zoloft for 1.5 years. The daily dosage was upped over a 3 month time spam to 200mg per day. I quit cold turkey about 2 months ago and am wondering if I will ever be normal again. It never really helped the initial problem-depression. Now I have digestive problems-I can cycle a meal in about 2 hours.
No energy, but no patience to watch TV because of all the commercials. My body is sore all of the time – like some pro MMA athlete used me for a practice dummy. Some nights I have to take 800mg of ibuprofen to take the edge off of the pain.
I have had digestive problems for years and quit taking prilosec about 4 months ago after about 25 years of it. Poor digestion = no energy to function well. When will our medical system(USA) quit functioning to make the share holders on Wall St happy and get to the root cause of our health problems.
I’ve quit cold turkey a week today after a year of 150mg daily. I’m suffering for it, just wondered if there’s anyway to minimize withdrawal symptoms?
Copied from my text above: Update for all the sufferers. If you have read my history above, you will see I was on zoloft for many, many years. I quit last August. I have had some lows, especially during this miserable winter we had. I was tempted to restart so often, but didn’t because I knew the winter was making things worse and I didn’t want to start all over again.
But the sun is shining and I feel better. But I did find some help. I purchased Natrol’s Mood+ at my local drug store. I don’t use it every day, and use only 1/4 of a tablet when I do use it, but it has been a real godsend. It has a bit of 5HTP and a bit of L-theanine and is just what I need when I get down. Two statements though are very necessary. (1) Do not take 5htp if you have any zoloft in your system.
I did that once, small amounts of each thinking I was safe, but ended up with a mild case of serotonin syndrome. Make sure you’re free and clear of zoloft before you start. (2) I was not/am not clinically depressed. If you are, your course may vary.
Thanks for this info and support. I didn’t think the Zoloft was helping me that much but titrating myself off has caused me to feel like such a jerk! I’m now off completely for 2 weeks and have many of the symptoms you listed… I thought they would be better by now. Is anyone else really clumsy?!?!?
If my sense of humor wasn’t also impacted with this withdrawal, it might actually be funny. In the shower yesterday, I dropped the shampoo bottle twice and every other item at least once. Getting a spoon out of the silverware drawer nearly caused a catastrophe and I just can’t get the ice from the tray to my glass w/o getting most of it on the floor!
I see a class action lawsuit in the works. Getting off of Zoloft (multiple mgs) after being on it for over 20 years is literally impossible. Worse than heroin withdrawal.
No, it’s not literally impossible, however it IS HORRIBLE. I was on it for 16 years, quit 21 months ago. It was misery but I can attest that I am back to my “old self.” I always add the caveat, my depression was situational and would have improved over time even without Zoloft, so I can’t say it was a “chemical imbalance” or anything like that. I attempted to quit several times but finally managed it (2 years come August 2016). This site is wonderful for the camaraderie, and for people to tell you IT CAN BE DONE.
I cannot wait till I’m off of this crap! I am so mad and irritated at everyone, and I know I’m not usually this way. I do slowly feel my motivation coming back. I currently have a headache and I get dizzy here and there. I think the brain zaps were only a big thing for the first week that I started to withdraw. I will keep praying and moving forward. I hope it doesn’t last 3 months for me, but who knows… Good luck to the rest of you!!
I was on Zoloft and klonopin for 15 years. I’ve been off both for about 2 & 1/2 months now. I’m experiencing insomnia, but I’m dealing with it. I took L-theanine to help with the horrible anxiety attacks from weaning off.
Has anyone had bouts of diarrhea – lots of it and explosive and leakage type? Seems to be my most bothersome symptom. After each taper, I would experience it and after about 2 weeks it became more normal. But when I had to take Diazepam in Bali for frozen muscles – I came home with the plan to get off the remainder 50MG of Zoloft and it was the worse of the three stages (I expected it to be the easiest as the 2nd was better than the 1st).
Wondering if being on the stronger opiate made the difference (five days). But anyway the diarrhea is lasting longer along with cramps. It has been over a month now. Any ideas? Or should I be looking at some other cause as I don’t see it mentioned here as a symptom. But with the first two withdrawals (50mg each) it started about 3 days later and normalized in 3 weeks.
This seems really bad some days and slightly better others with maybe one normal movement occasionally.
Yes to the diarrhea. I noticed like you that people don’t mention it much as a side effect of coming off the tablets. Took a few weeks for it to go away with the help of Slippery Elm (yes it really works) I’m almost back to ‘normal’ gut wise. Still get fits of irritation though and the odd headache.
What a joy to have found this site! I was put on Sertraline a few years ago by an overzealous doctor who wanted to get me off my fairly low dose of Diazepam. I had no idea what this tablets were having recently returning to this country from abroad, and unusually for me I didn’t ask. I didn’t suffer too many bad symptoms except by the third month continuous ‘runs’ (bowel problems!).
I put up with this for almost 4 weeks before going back to the doctor. She didn’t make any connection with the tablets. Then unfortunately for me she upped and left the practice. I came off them gradually (having worked things out for myself) and was fine. However in late March this year and having moved house plus many dramas, I was feeling anxious so went to the docs. I was put on Sertraline.
After 16 days of getting headaches etc and finally the stomach problems I decided to come off them cold turkey. I was on 50mg. It was hell after that, but there was no way I was going to stay on these tablets. These I was assured, were those with the least side effects that they ‘even gave them to pregnant women’! I was shocked by this.
It’s been about 4 weeks now and I’m still getting headaches though not so often, but the woolly headedness is ghastly. I thought it was old age (I am not young however!). I drop things I can’t concentrate etc. I’d go so far as to say these tablets are evil or is it simply that doctors are NOT checking up on the side effect? Apologies if this sounds garbled. Some of it may be age, but most of it is the wretched tablets!!!
Wow! Thanks for your post on bowel problems… convinced I had a dozen horrendous GI diseases. Am starting decrease tomorrow. Dr’s advice. Thanks again.
I had been on Zoloft for 11 years, the highest dose I was on towards the end was 300 mg, as prescribed by my doctor. I got fed up with this medicine because it was not helping me anymore (at least I felt that way at the time). So I started tapering off until I ran out of pills (I think I took 50 towards the end).
As part of the withdrawal I felt angry, sad, weepy and had suicidal thoughts (I had suicidal thoughts even when taking recommended dose). Like other people said in other posts, hell on earth is a very accurate description. After almost hitting the 90 day withdrawal mark, I ended up in the hospital because I felt out of control and very close to acting on my suicidal thoughts.
My conclusion is that the longer you take any antidepressant, the more you become dependent on it. Now I am taking other stuff, but also doing DBT therapy, which I find very very helpful (unlike “talk therapy”, that tends to exacerbate my rumination and “poor me” complex).
This is reassuring to read. It was so hard to describe the electrical jolts I would get in my head from forgetting to take Zoloft for a few days. I have recently stopped cold turkey from the medication because I felt numbed by it. I had been on it for nearly 3 years at at 200mg dosage. It helped me with my social anxiety and generally lifted my mood in that time, but the last 6-8 months have been awful.
I have felt extremely numb. Unable to really experience any genuine, long lasting feelings either happy or sad. Just nonchalant about my own life. I don’t think this should be a normal way to feel everyday. Honestly, I would rather feel sad or angry than feel absolutely nothing about my own life.
I have been cold turkey for nearly a week now.
I can’t even begin to explain the intensity of the mood swings I am experiencing daily. Or the anger. I never expected to feel so angry after so long of feeling nothing. And tired. I could sleep all day. I am confident that I can weather the next couple of weeks of withdrawals. Hopefully I won’t lose my head in the process.
My wife was on zoloft for about 3 months because of stress/depression leading up to our wedding in January. She had a hypomania episode in February and our doctor recommended she quit cold turkey. She continues to show signs of withdrawal 2 months later and her mood is very irritable all the time. Has anyone had experience dealing with zoloft withdrawal after a short time using it? If so how long did it last?
Yes!
Holy crap…I’ve been tapering off of this for about 2 months…and in the last two- three weeks my irritability and anger has skyrocketed. It’s awful and I don’t even want to be around me, I can only imagine what I am putting other people through right now.
The dizziness is light at this point and taking a naturopathic supplement is helping, but this is terrible. I’m trying to tough it out until I feel some homeostasis happen, but I may very well have no friends left before that time arrives.
Hi TD, I haven’t seen my friends in months, I’m afraid some of them have given up on me… but when I’m around people I find I get exhausted having any kind of conversation where I actually have to concentrate and need to go lie down! I’m such a downer to be around right now and I used to have such fun! I miss that.
Pretty much everything I have read above is spot on for me. I have been taking 300mg Zoloft for severe OCD & anxiety for 12 months now, having started on it 3 years ago and have slowly been increased by my Psychiatrist to this point. We have now come to the conclusion that it is just not effective for me, so we are tapering down to try an alternative.
I was so scared at having constant headaches, dizziness, irritability, intense mood swings, crying, panic attacks & severe anxiety – reading this post, and the subsequent responses echoing the symptoms that others are experiencing has made me feel a little more comfortable while waiting to see my Psychiatrist on Friday (despite trying to see him sooner). I really wasn’t sure I was going to be able to survive another 4 days of feeling like this, and that I was going insane!
My family don’t seem to know how to deal with me, and frankly – I cant blame them. Reading this article has made me realize that I am not the only one who experiences drug withdrawal in such a bad way, and that despite the way I am feeling – it is normal.
Day 4 of unwanted cold turkey due to my doc not refilling my Rx timely. I’ve been on Zoloft for many years. Everything hit like a ton of bricks today. Extreme, and I mean extreme, fatigue. Achy like the flu. Dizziness so extreme that I caused an uproar at work. They almost called 911, but I begged them to just call my husband to come pick me up.
I’m staying home tomorrow. I have my Zoloft now and have taken a dose. Hopefully it will get in my system quickly. I can’t imagine going through this long-term! Thank goodness I didn’t get the brain zaps or I would have wanted to go to the ER! It is so good to know about all these withdrawal symptoms.
I have just read all of this and thank you for putting brain zaps into normal talk, I have been trying to explain this feeling for a long time and now I can put it into sensible words that people understand. I have been cold turkey for just over a week after being on 150mg for around 2 years and yes it’s hell on earth, but I am feeling positive about my decision.
Hi Melissa, It is hard going thru these withdrawals! I didn’t know it could take so long but, I’ve come to far to give up or ever have to do it again! Stay strong with me and we’ll get thru it! Namaste
Thank you the insight regarding cold turkey withdrawals from Zoloft! I cold-turkeyed about 5 weeks ago. I still have dizziness, muscle pain in my stomach, abdomen, and through out my back. Other body places aren’t as bad anymore. I’m really fighting my emotions right now!!! I was on Zoloft 50mg for about a year and then changed to Effexor until a couple months ago and was then put back on Zoloft.
I’ve been taking anti-depressants for Manic Depression for 3 1/2 yrs. I felt so toxic and sick this past year and started having extreme IBS issues. I’m so tired of being sick that I quit all meds (anti-depressants, stomach pills, laxatives) cold turkey. I knew it would be hard! I’m thinking about taking them again to hopefully make me better without the IBS issues happening again, hopefully.
Yet I’ve come so far in my withdrawal that I never want to have to go thru this again and I tell myself to keep moving forward and not give up! I’m finding myself writing here because I need to talk to someone somewhere. I need to be better for myself, my husband, my family, my job, etc!!! I’m having such a hard time! I think I need to go to the mountains! Thanx again for the insight and a place to spill my guts! Namaste <3
I have been on any number of anti-depressants since 1995. They work for about 5 years, with dosage increases, and then I have to find something else. Since October, I have gone from Celexa, to Lexapro, which did nothing, to Pristiq which sent my blood pressure through the roof, to Cymbalta, which again did nothing, and then back to Zoloft which had quit working about 11 years ago.
In March, we discovered that some of my liver function blood tests had doubled since the Fall. My psychiatrist told me to drop from 100 mg to 50 for 3-4 days (I did 5) and then stop it all together. My Gastro doc wants me off for at least 3 months until we know for sure what is happening with my liver. I have a genetic family history of Fatty Liver Disease, do not drink, smoke or do illegal drugs, but then, neither did my mother who ended up having a liver transplant. I am awaiting the results of a liver biopsy done last week.
Anyway, I have been med free, except for 25 mg Trazodone I take at night, for two weeks and am miserable. I’m so glad to see that most of what I’m feeling is normal, and that I’m not in this alone. I am not room-spinning dizzy, but my head is just off. Hoping this will end soon.
It’s the worst. I’m withdrawing now. Never had withdraws in my whole life, now this is the devil’s roller coaster. I’m angry, aggressive, dizzy as all get out, it’s hell.
After two weeks, I can honestly say I no longer feel any withdrawal from sertraline. I think it’s time for there to be more studies allowing us to understand that what is often considered prolonged SSRI withdrawal syndrome is in fact the depression and illness showing itself in its untreated capacity. As controversial as my comments might seem, unless you are also receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, I don’t believe you can process, work through or resolve your depression, and so as the quick fix, immediate gratification that permeates our culture reaches into the world of medication, we are also faced with the dire lack of psychiatric and psychotherapy-based regulation that puts people at risk of extreme reactions to withdrawal.
I’m not denying it is real. A week and a half ago, I was terrified of the zaps and the migraines and the dizziness. Worst of all for me as I worked out intensely to counter the negative tailspin was the muscular aches that literally left me feeling like my nerves were severed at my shoulder joints when I would lay down to go to sleep. Again, if you live somewhere where you can gain access to legal marijuana, I believe a mellow, relaxing strain can be the best tool to combat those moments of extreme stress and confusion as the brain tells the body to figure the hell out of whatever is happening to it.
I have a lot of thinking to do about how I feel about SSRIs now that I am rid of my dependency. I know there was a time when I truly benefited from the therapeutic chemical shift the prescription provided, but these are not drugs to be administered lightly, and any doctor allowing a person to stay on them for years at a time without addressing the peripherals, such as long term dependency leading to increased difficulties in cessation, gradual onset of loss of libido, generalized personality numbness etc. is, in my opinion, criminal. These are serious drugs with powerful and somewhat mysterious side effects.
I also encourage everyone going through withdrawal to take the time to learn about how SSRIs work biologically, as this will also give you the power to understand what is happening to your body in withdrawal. And please keep the faith that you will eventually recover. After a gradual six month tapering off, I can honestly say that it was only the first week that truly felt like hell. Each day of the second week I could recognize a slight improvement in myself.
Mindfulness, meditation, physical exercise, and a good mellowing helper, whether homeopathic, synthetic or medicinal such as marijuana will get you through it successfully. After two weeks, I feel I am back to my true self, and I like the way I am and feel. You can get there too!
Went on 75 mg of Zoloft 11 yrs ago after trying to “tough out” post partum depression symptoms for 3 years. The initial 2 weeks were a tough adjustment, but the drug has allowed me to live an amazing life (free of fatigue, self pity and irritability) for 11 years. I am now in my mid 5o’s, and decided the extra 4o lbs I gained on the drug were no longer acceptable despite exercising religiously.
Before seeing this blog, I had tried to dose off and was frightened by the joint pain and memory issues I was experiencing, so stayed on the drug. I decided I would try again after reading the wisdom of others here (thank you!) and am dosing off intentioning at the start of summer when seasonal affect disorder won’t make this harder.
I dosed down slowly, over a period of weeks, from 75 mg to 50 mg to 25 mg. a little dizziness, but not bad at all. I am now at 25 mg every 4 days and have had some stomach cramps, achy joints, and occasional feeling of “butterflies” in my tummy, but I know this is part of the drill, and it’s not debilitating.
Question for others: I was given a prescription for Nortriptyline to handle a migraine (unrelated to Zoloft withdrawal) about 6 mos ago, and my MD said it could help with Zoloft withdrawal. I do not take Nortriptyline daily. Has anyone heard if this as a way to help w/withdrawal symptoms? Appreciate any advice others may have.
I have been on 200 mg of Zoloft for 10 years and I have never in my life been so miserable, as I was and am, from quitting Zoloft. I have experienced everyone of those symptoms, but the floating eyeball, dizzy headed brain zaps are the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I have been trying to quit for 2 years, I am down to 50 mg and I only take it when the dizziness gets more than I can handle, which is around every 7 to 10 days.
I have withdrawn from caffeine, nicotine, benzos, and several other drugs, but the withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft is like the worst demons in hell wrecking havoc inside your body and mind. It is absolutely the worst thing I’ve ever tried to quit, will be so thankful when I can finally stop having the dizzy spells and brain zaps.
Hi all, I have been on sertraline (Zoloft) for about 15-20 years on 50mg for most of it. I wish I had never been prescribed this. I was in a bad state when I went on it but I still wish I never had. I have tried a few times to get off it but always ended up going back to it. I have been taking 25mg for about the last 3 years. I have become inspired to try and get off it for good.
I have dropped down to 12.5mg for the last week and feel like irritable and easily angered which sucks because normally I am placid and gentle. I will stay on this dose for a few weeks (and hopefully I will feel a bit better) before stopping completely. I am worried I will never feel good without it. I would honestly not wish my symptoms on anyone (or any other symptoms you people are suffering too).
Anyone have any success stories that could motivate me and give me some light at the end of this long, painful tunnel?
I have been coming off sertraline for the last three months following a tapering off method suggested by my doctor. Been on the drug for 7 years. Been experiencing chronic fatigue several days a week plus several other symptoms listed in the article. Main problem has been that an area on the left side of my head becomes intensely cold and then there is a tingling radiating out from this area.
This can last for an hour and a half at a time. Quite worried first time as I thought it was a stroke but becoming used to it now. After the initial attack I am left with a pain at the centre of the coldest area which doesn’t respond to painkillers.
I’ve kicked Zoloft several times, this time hopefully the last. Currently I’m quitting Zoloft and quetiapine at the same time, cold turkey. I knew what I was in for, but I’m quite determined to see it through. The side effects of Zoloft withdrawal are similar to that of heroin withdrawal (from what I’ve read), except that Zoloft’s persist for months.
I’ve experienced it all – the relentless headache, intermittent fever, diaphoresis, heightened senses, GI upset, insomnia, vertigo, the paresthetic “zaps,” and – the most fun of all – the intractable, chemotherapy-grade nausea. EXTREME nausea, all the time. I never knew nausea ’til I tried to quit Zoloft. In any case, every hour, every day I survive, I’m that much closer to it being behind me. Good luck to everyone!
I was on sertraline eight years and came off four months ago. Problem is that I’m having bad anger issues all the time. Considering going back on 25mg today.
I was on 50 mg Sertraline and 50 mg Trazodone for about 8 years. I tapered both the Sertraline and Trazodone to 25mg about a year ago, and then stopped the Sertraline altogether about three weeks ago. After about three days of being off the Sertraline, the anger I felt was incredible, and those nasty little brain zaps were difficult to recover from at times.
I would cry at little things just out of the blue. Then it would feel like my brain was just shutting down, like extreme mental fatigue. So I would take a break from work, close my eyes, and nap for 15-20 minutes. It helped a lot. I think my brain just needed short breaks from processing the world without the assistance of the Sertraline. It’s hard work producing enough dopamine and serotonin to get this gal through her day!
I’m on week four now, and everything is getting better (finally!). The brain zaps have almost completely ceased, although I do still feel that my patience is short. I am selective who I spend time with because I have no patience and my “filter” definitely isn’t working at 100%. :-)
My advice to anyone going through this: be good to yourself. Indulge yourself a little. Move slowly. The symptoms will pass with time, and then regular activity can resume. But while you’re withdrawing, don’t force yourself to do things. It’s like having a broken leg. Give your body time to heal. Also, ice cream is very good for recovery. :-)
I took 50 mg Zoloft and 100 mg trazadone for 9 years. I had bad anxiety and insomnia. I was ready to see if I could manage without it. I started splitting the pills to 25 mg and did it for 3 weeks. Then I took 25 mg every other night for 2 weeks, then every third day. I have been off Zoloft for 2 weeks and my withdrawals have been minimal (stayed on trazodone). The post was great because it told me what to expect on not be fearful when the side effects hit. Thank you! Through self talk and exercise you can get off SSRI’s. And remember if you do need them there are so many options and you will be OK!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and making me feel as if I’m not going crazy. I personally experienced every single one of these symptoms, both during the time I was on the medication (only six months) and also since withdrawing from the medication (three months so far). This has been the worst six months of my life and this medication should be banned.
Sertraline has completely destroyed my digestive system and I’m wondering if it will ever fully recover. I’m having to fork out thousands of pounds for hospital treatments which I’m hoping might correct the damage. Sending my love and hugs to everyone else on this site who is struggling. You’re not alone – things will get better!
In terms of things I’ve found that have helped, I think diet is the most important thing. Natural, unprocessed foods and no gluten. Lots of fruit, vegetables and fish. Foods high in omega seem to be really good. I was also taking various supplements to start with, but actually I think these slowed down the healing process and it’s better to do it through diet. The most important thing is to stay patient. Things do get better, but sometimes it takes a while.
I’ve been on 100 mg of Zoloft for about a year. I took it during my pregnancy with my daughter, but really don’t want to take it during this pregnancy as my daughter was born with a minor skin birth defect that my doctor attributed to Zoloft. I tried tapering down for the past several months and ultimately weaning off, however, the brain zaps get so extreme I feel like I have to keep taking it. I don’t feel any other real side effects beside nausea and night sweats, but I really just want to get through to it. This is only like day 3 and I’m nervous about what’s to come.
I have a crazy list of symptoms after tapering off Zoloft: Missed period, dizziness/slight nausea, HUGE appetite, anger/mood swings. Of course I took a couple of pregnancy tests over several weeks and all came back negative! Who would have thought a drug withdrawal would mimic pregnancy symptoms like this? I wonder if I’m the only one?
Hi Hana, I’m exactly the same. My withdrawal symptoms have mimicked pregnancy/menopause too! My PMS is off the radar and my morning sickness is unbearable. I’m three months into the withdrawal and things are finally starting to get better though. Sending you my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Caro
I have been tapering off for almost two weeks. I have been on Sertraline for well over 10 years. I started my taper from 150mg each day to every second day, after 1 week I went down to 50mg and am on my second day of the reduced dosage. I am so dizzy and nauseous (comes and goes throughout the day), I just want this to stop, are these symptoms going to stay for a while?
Hi Kelly, I’ve also been experiencing severe nausea. I’ve found that eating little but often has helped and I’ve completely changed my diet so that I’m only eating natural and healthy foods which are easy to digest. I’ve found that fish which is high in omega-3 has been particularly helpful. Sending you my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Caro
This is the most accurate article I have read which describes what this feels like. I’m about 10 days into going cold turkey and the brain zaps and dizziness are starting to fade a little. What is at the forefront right now is the mood swings. I keep getting overwhelming and sudden outbursts of anger which are scaring me. Does any body have any tips on how to cope with this part? Thank you.
Hi Stacey, I have been crying over the silliest things – I have been taking 5-10 really deep breaths, know that the feeling will pass, but I really recommend meditation. Even if for only 5 minutes, I promise it will help. I find the guided with music meditation the best, there are lots on YouTube, also, even going outside for a few deep breaths of fresh air, hope that helps.
I was on 225mg. zoloft once a day for almost 20 years. I have tried to taper down in the past but this time I quit cold turkey. I experienced no problems at all for six weeks or so weeks but then the fun begins. Increasing fatigue and mental fog mostly but also insomnia and anxiety. Currently at ten weeks and barely able to function.
This has been the pattern for me whether I taper or quit cold and always before (3-4 times) I have just given in around ten weeks and restarted the drug. This time I am determined to stick it out. My experience seems to be atypical in that I have no problems at first and then they start and worsen. Regarding the danger of suicidal ideation, I do not feel that way at all but I no longer see life as completely open-ended as I once did.
This may be more a factor of getting older but it is notable. I am looking for someone to relate withdrawal experiences out beyond the 3-month time period since I haven’t ever made it that far.
I left a comment elsewhere on here a few days ago and couldn’t find it so in searching for it I ran across your comments. Boy the situation is so similar to mine starting with the name Mike, I had to dig deep into my memory to make sure I’m not you or visa versa.
Anyway I was on 200mg per day for about 16 years and about 2 weeks ago went off cold turkey and have had some of the physical side effects but mostly very tolerable then I read your saying it took about 6 weeks or so to hit you. So where yesterday I was wondering about how long the symptoms would hang around today I’m hearing all the water has left the bay and wondering if I have enough time to go grab some fish and crab before the BIG wave comes in.
Hey one’s got to laugh, it’s all we have at times. Any encouraging words other than forget the seafood and head for the mountains?
I agree with everyone on this page. Just to add my experience – I have been on 50 mg / day sertraline for about 5 years. I tapered down to 25 mg day for about 5 weeks and then 25 mg every other day for 5 weeks and now have been completely off for about 2 weeks. It has been HORRIBLE. Brain zaps, dizziness, anxiety, nausea, very tired, losing my temper at small things and now recently crying spells – I cry over everything at work, at home. It’s unbelievable. I’m actually kind of upset with my Doc because she never wants to treat anxiety short-term, even with a few downers like lorazepam.
I have been taking 0.25mg daily for two years. Last Thursday, I decided to try to stop. This is the third time I’m attempting to stop. My reasons for stopping are – I feel content and happy in myself and in my life and I don’t need the drug to feel better anymore. I do not want to take this drug for the rest of my life. And I do not like to put chemicals into my body.
I “dry” swallowed my Zoloft pill last Thursday morning because I was in a rush. The tablet dissolved in my throat just above my voicebox and burned the sensitive tissues of my throat very severely. It was extremely painful for two days. This event made me wonder what the drug was doing to my body, if this is what it could do to my throat? I decided then to stop taking the drug.
So far this past week, my side-effects or withdrawal symptoms have been bearable. However, I’ve been taking extra care of myself, sleeping early, eating well and staying home to relax. I do feel a lot of fatigue. I do feel a lot of strange dizziness when I move my head or look around. The worst side effect is at night when I’m falling asleep, I get panic-attack-type flutters in my heart for no reason.
These flutters remind me of the way I felt before I started taking Zoloft. I am hoping this is just a withdrawal symptom that will disappear in time. I have no more reason to have panic attacks now. I have noticed that I sleep much better and have a better sense of taste since stopping Zoloft. I feel more in touch with myself and my body.
I feel quite angry that my doctor and psychiatrist did not tell me how powerful this drug would be and that stopping it would be so difficult. It is a difficult drug to stop taking, even in its lowest dose. Good luck to everyone who is trying too!!
I started zoloft 100 mg once a day 25 years ago after a horrible depression. I reduced it to 50mg a year ago. Now I am taking the half of the 50mg almost for 2 weeks also once/day. I don’t feel well sometimes during the day, as if waves are moving inside my head. I want to get rid of this antidepressant. Could anyone help me by telling me for how long I need to take it? And for how long I will feel the dizziness symptoms? I am 61 years old and I am on Deprizine and Crestor. Thank you.
I am on day 5 of withdrawal from 16mg sertraline. I just checked back into this post as I am having dizziness and withdrawal symptoms are increasing. 16mg may seem like a low dose but I don’t metabolize setraline very well and therefore side effects are increased (there is a DNA dose test you can get done which shows what antidepressants you may have trouble metabolizing). I was 0n 50mg for 2 years.
6 months ago I tried withdrawing after getting down to 25mg no problems. It was awful. So I ended up getting the chemist to suspend the sertraline at 5mg per 1ml. This kind of worked with very small decreases but I could not get the decrease in dose small enough without experiencing withdrawal effects. So the wonderful chemist said she could mix it to 2mg per 1 ml which enabled me to measure the dose more accurately and drop smaller increments at a time (0.25mg).
I was down to 15.5mg over the 6 months. I forgot to take my dose 5 days ago and didn’t get any withdrawal effects so thought it was all good because normally I get withdrawal effects within 12 hours. But I am getting dizziness and anxiety increasing over the past 2 days. I may be able to ride it out but need to be high functioning in my work place, so I think I will take 15 mgs tomorrow and continue on a very slow and tapered withdrawal.
There is some great ideas for this (albeit at higher doses) in this comments section. So thank you for sharing those tips- really appreciated and prompted me to post how I have tried to minimize withdrawals.
Hi, first of all thanks for all the information. I have been on and off Zoloft for several years now and never really thought too much of it until recently. It’s funny because I am actually a total health and fitness person… have been my whole life but never really researched Zoloft much. A few different occasions I just quite cold turkey and then thought everything that came to my mind was actually me my brain!
Little did I know it was simply the withdrawals of this awful drug! While on this drug, I experienced hair loss, low energy, weird twitches and I have no clue if the mood swings and outbursts had to do with this drug but I still had them on different occasions. When I first went on the drug, I do believe it helped my anxiety and depressed but I gained a lot of weight which eventually I took it all off.
Now I have been slowly tapering the drug and so far have experienced the follow symptoms, anger (at the smallest things), irritability, racing heart rate, insomnia, increased energy. The difference this time is I am aware these are withdrawals and not actually me! I have been documenting all my symptoms, it’s challenging but I believe it can be done! Thanks again for providing information and awareness it truly helps.
My girlfriend has stopped taking Zoloft. She been off it for over a month. Will her sex drive ever return?? It’s so bad even any kind of affection isn’t there. I can’t even get a hug without being pushed away.
Hi Kyle, I’m a female trying to come off sertraline after around 18 months. I know my sex drive had fallen due to depression and anxiety, but this drug made it totally disappear. I’m pretty sure my other half feels pushed away like you do. At the moment I’m almost two weeks into cold turkey and the last thing on my mind is sex. I do feel sure it will come back and it is a side effect from the drug, but these things take time.
It may be another month or so for her body to get used to things and be able to focus on things other than how rubbish she feels. Be there for her and try your best to understand what she is going through. It will bring you closer if she feels you understand and hopefully lead onto other things. It’s a long road, ups and downs, just try and be patient.
I really appreciate this blog, and the comments from readers. I have been on Sertraline since October, and am now about half-way through the tapering off. Am now doing 25 mg per day, and in two days down to 25 mg every other day. It really helps to know (1) unpleasant effects are normal, and (2) in a month or two the symptoms will go away.