Anxiety Increasing After Days On Ssri - Sertraline/zoloft

[Nettis]

Hi,
I wonder if someone have gotten increased anxiety after several days on a SSRI? It seems like I'm okay during 4-5 days, then the anxiety, dissociation and fear starts to increase daily. I started on a very low dose 12.5 mg (I'm on 7,5 mg of Mirtazapine as well) and had increased anxiety and fear from day 5 to 17 - then it seemed to subside a little. On day 20 I increased the dosage to 25 mg and now the same thing is happening (but stronger). First 4 days I felt okay - now I get more and more anxiety daily again (I'm on day 8 of 25 mg). I've just read about people having the opposite happening to them, anxiety decreasing with time. Anyone experienced this and how did it resolve? I'm scared this is a sign the meds doesn't work. Grateful for any inputs.

 

[Justmehere]

Yep. It's a possible and well known paradoxical reaction to SSRIs.

I'd suggest calling your doctor to let them know. It may be the wrong medicine or the wrong dosage for you. It may be that this will get better over time. It could also be that you are having breakthrough anxiety (it's not strong enough to take away all the anxiety) - or rebound anxiety (the anxiety is coming when the medication is wearing off).

Don't lose hope, it is common to need to try a few medications and to need to adjust dosage before finding the right medication and dosage.

 

[Nettis]

Yep. It's a possible and well known paradoxical reaction to SSRIs.

I'd suggest calling your doctor...

Many thanks for your answer. It felt good to hear this is common. And I did write my doctor on Friday but haven't got any answer yet...

 

[SophiaWisdom]

YES! I had the worst reaction to Lexapro so I went off it after my paranoia went out of control and I spent 24 hours totally traumatized. I use Xanax b/c it makes me feel stable and relaxed, but I'm careful with it and only do half or 1/4 doses b/c it is an addictive substance.

Most people do well on it, but there are a percentage (like me and possibly you) who don't take to it. I wrote about my experience with SSRIs/benzos in my trauma diary if you want to see a more fleshed out depiction of my experience with it (no pressure to read it though!): Link Removed

 

[Nettis]

Thanks for your answer Sophia! And I'm sorry for the experience you had with Lexapro. In the end my anxiety has subsided and I'm starting to feel better - now on 37,5 mg of Zoloft. :-)

 

[holdenmonty]

The first two weeks after I started Zoloft was hell. Everything was worse but then it got better after two weeks.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

I've had a sort of increase of anxiety when starting Zoloft, though I kicked it off with the 25 mg for a week and then to 50 mg.

But it also resulted in a lot of energy and so on, basically everything got kicked up.

Anything similar happening to you, regarding how energetic you are and so on?

 

[TonyG]

Zoloft did nothing for my anxiety, diazapam is the only thing that helps settle my anxiety, i only use it in extreme cases

 

[Overcoming]

Zoloft increased my anxiety initially and I began having panic attacks. A few months in now and I'm finding that I feel less general anxiety, however, my depression seems to be worse and I occasionally have full-blown panic attacks. I'm still deciding whether the pros outweigh the cons.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Zoloft did nothing for my anxiety, diazapam is the only thing that helps settle my anxiety, i only use it...

Diazepam is great, but so addictive