Anxiety and Depression can ruin lives, let's take some steps together to get better.
I used to take Sertraline (Zoloft) daily and have also benefitted from different talking therapies including CBT. I can talk from experience about their impact; both positive and negative.
Over two decades ago I experienced my first symptoms of mental illness as pangs of anxiety started to change my behaviour. I would withdraw from social situations at the risk of being embarrassed and dreaded the spotlight turning on me! My late teens introduced a magic formula that gave me confidence - alcohol - and that led to 2 decades of far too much drinking; no seasoned with spells of depression. Now I am ready to make a change. Come with me.
As an seasoned educator (20 years in and around the classroom) I know how to take complex information and make it interesting, memorable and most importantly, easy to understand. My aim is to equip you with a broad understanding of your mental health journey. Let's Go!
Omgg, Alex! I’m so happy to hear this update!! I’m so proud of all the changes you’ve made and the growth you’ve experienced to get to where you are today! The community you’ve created is truly a lifeline and safe space for so many people. I know what it has done for me, and will always be grateful! Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your updates and knowledge with us! Take care!
It also cause genital numbness, delayed ejaculation. Also theres the risk of chemical castration from the permanent side effect know as PSSD (post ssri sexual dysfunction
Day 3 on Zoloft and the difference is black and white, I feel amazing and I had no idea how badly I was depressed before taking it. Diarrhea and dry mouth is a side effect I'm experiencing but this feeling of calm and ease, and the feeling a weight has been lifted from my mind. I am very happy I started this. I was in denial that I needed medication for years, my Dr suggested maybe I was depressed in one of my check ups, and I said no way not me. Then After 3 weeks of just laying in bed with zero energy and wishing I didn't exist, some times sobbing, I acknowledged there was a problem and this wasn't normal l.
I completely related to the experience of dreams but this was when I used to take it many years ago, more speciffically when I was 23 I am now 37. I am retaking setraline again after avoiding it for all this years, the main reason for that was exactly feeling in a dream. Not feeling like living in reality. I haven't experienced that yet.. today is my second week of zoloc. I am concerned I will be having weird feelings and sensations again.
My dr prescribed my Zoloft 25mg I took it two nights and right away I had such insomnia couldnt sleep at all. Felt anxious and I think acid reflux too I stopped and Im gonna try again but half of it so 12.5mg and in the mornings. I hope that way the side effects are less
idk what's wrong with me but i took 50 mg of it for like 10 days didn't use it for like 2 days then used it again and experiencing heavy side effects idk why i did it but my head told me to ig can anyone help me i'm so unsure if i take it or not
The myth of low serotonin causing depression and anxiety has been debunked. 90% of the serotonin in our bodies is in our guts, not our brains. These drugs ‘work’ by limiting the range of emotions both positive and negative which for those dealing with situational anxiety and depression may be a relief. The first dose of Sertraline I took caused serotonin syndrome. When that resolved I had akathisia, nose bleeds, eye pain, dilated pupils and insomnia. The withdrawals from coming off this drug were brutal- the feeling of electric shocks going down my spine, agitation, rage and had for the first time in my life a panic attack. These drugs prevent the reuptake of serotonin and over a matter of a few weeks causes the receptors to essentially shut off because there is too much serotonin in the synapse. That is why you have these side effects because there is too much of the neurotransmitter and once those receptors down regulate, the side effects resolve and you are left with the limited emotional range. SSRIs are also notorious for causing sexual dysfunction which for many leave you unable to feel arousal. These drugs aren’t magic bullets and don’t fix anything. Studies have proven that long term use of these drugs lead to worse outcomes. Check out Dr Mark Horowitz, Dr Josef Witt-Doerring and Angie Peacock for real life accounts of people who have been harmed by these drugs. Watch the documentary Medicating Normal before considering taking these drugs. Our society is what is causing our mental health issues, not the supposed low serotonin myth.
I just got this medicine prescribed to me today - Really anxious about taking it.. I have always been apprehensive about taking antidepressants and how they affect the brain and if it doesn't work, how difficult is it to get off this particular medication? All these worries floating in my mind. I appreciate this video though!
From my personal experience, ZOLOFT is highly addictive and after taking 100 mg for a year I choose to get off of it....... Well it did not go well.. Cut to 50mgs and i started feeling very uncomfortable, as severe as opioid withdrawal... Not at all good.. I had the doctor up to the original 100 I was taking. My 2nd attempt I went down very slowly, 10 MGS a month.... Still very uncomfortable, but was able to get off the stuff..Before I started my zoloft i was told by my Dr it was not addictive..... BIG PHARMA HITS AGAIN....
Discontinuation syndrome is a soft delivery on what it actually is, withdrawal Tapering off these drugs can take people months and years to come off them safely depending on how long you’ve been on them for. Follow Dr Mark Horowitz and Dr Josef Witt-Doerring for safe tapering advice
I stop taking sertraline 50mg 8 month ago. I never felt good in me since stopping and it’s getting worse I am feeling very low , can’t sleep can’t control my emotions my anxiety, pain all over my muscles. I when through hell at the beginning when I was trying to stop then it s settle few months and now I don’t know what to do anymore
Brother people shouldn't take more than 12 weeks if they don't see changes. This is misinformation and Taking 6 month without change is waste of life. Other than that I appreciate ur contents they are quite helpful.
I've just started taking sertraline after not taking prescription from my doctor after a 1 week. I couldn't handle it any longer so I took my first dose yesterday and second today. Alrwady feeling some side effects like dry mouth also a bit some anxiety since I started it. I want to be better, I have to be better. I know I'm strong.
Yesterday I had bad anxiety and today it kicked in with depression . Little background I got fully off Zoloft about 2 Weeks now but I thought I was fine as I taper down . But it’s randomly kicking in symptoms or can be the med are now fully leaving my blood system . Hope it only gets better I been on low dose with this drug . For about one year so did not expect withdraw. Yesterday I felt like doom common anxiety episode symptoms. I did smoke a little Mary j that day but still it was not good feeling.
I bodybuild recreationally and about two years ago, which is also exactly when I started Zoloft, it became essentially impossible to lose weight. I have very good control of my weight as well as knowledge of how to increase and decrease body fat. Still haven’t been able to drop a pound. I work three jobs, lift 5 days a week WITH added cardio sessions of about 30mins or more. This drug worked wonders for getting me out of a serious slump a couple years ago. However now i believe it’s having a strong effect on my metabolic system and I will be tapering off asap. Hope no one else goes through this
Really happy with the impact sertraline has had on my life and remember watching your videos to help me normalize taking them. BUT after taking it for a year, i do notice sideeffects of taking it that people dont really talk about; weight gain, change in face shape, and chronic migraines. Im curious if you (or others) have had similar experiences?
Possibly weight gain. It’s hard to say for sure if that was linked to meds. Strangely I suffer from 1-3 migraines a week all my life from teens to 40s EXCEPT when I was on Sertraline, so who knows?! 😅 Face shape, maybe linked to weight gain?
Ive been on it for a year now. Its really nice to wake up in the morning, looking forward to the day. Aside from weight gain, and the shape of my face changing, I have noticed persistent chronic migraines though which started after I started the medication. Im curious if anyone else has had this experience?
I switched up from 50mg to 100mg today. I gave the 50mg 6 weeks, but I really don't think it's helping. I have a weird feeling in my chest that comes on at any time. In my case, I think I have needed some help for a long time, but have never done anything about it until recently, when my partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the beginning of July and then 2 weeks later, being told it was termal with a life expectancy of 'weeks to short months' I spoke to the GP while my partner was in hospital for a month (now in a nursing home having end of life care at 56) and started taking the Sertraline. My GP also prescribed Zopiclone, but I was scared to take them for the first 4 or 5 days. The Sertraline had made my insomnia worse, so I started taking the sleeping tablets. I have been prescribed more today, even though I have gone well over the usual on month's use. The GP said I can have them for as long as I need them, as I'm dealing with a horrendous situation. Hopefully the increased Sertraline dose will help and then I can begin to wean myself off the sleeping tablets.
Hey guys, I was on 50mg for 4 weeks and was getting eye floaters so went cold turkey (by accident) a couple days ago. Experiencing symptoms such as really strong headaches in temples and around the eyes, zaps in all my hands and feet, aswell as overcome amounts of sadness and fear. Aswell as sweating and hot flushes? Are these normal? The headaches are unbearable at times. I’ve now got onto a 25mg pill per day. Worried about the headaches but are these normal guys? Everyone stay strong.
This research is false and tendencious if you search online 98% of the people are complaining abt weight again. It is not only abt craving more foods but there is a huge change to our metabolism. SSRIs make you feel tired all day. Me personally I always gain at least 30 pounds within 2 months when taking antidepressants.
I have been on 200mg for nearly one week now and yes I do feel the 200mg is starting to work as I was on 150mg before and wasn't working well it was just keeping me on the water line but not above. I do feel more relaxed and calmer than before and less stressed out but I do feel my brain is a little numb and not thinking that much as before is this common as some other people on the 200mg dose as feel the same one said to me they felt like a zombie.
Good question, from my experience any dosage change can result in brain fog but this is usually (hopefully) temporary. I would carefully monitor these feelings and if they persist, speak to your Dr about it.
Im on 50mg for stress anxiety and depression have been on them for around 6 weeks and they are making a massive difference in calming my mind down (was going a million miles a minute)
I went from 100 mg down to 50 mg and started experiencing withdrawal symptoms around day five. The plan was to stay on 50 mg for a couple of weeks and then either go down to 25 mg or completely quit altogether. However, the withdrawal symptoms were so bad, I decided actually to go cold turkey, because I didn’t want to have to experience withdrawal symptoms more than once. I figured it was time just to get it over and done with and quit for good.
Yeah I get you. People have similar experiences when starting - some people commence on sub 50mg doses and then hit refreshed side effects every couple of weeks as they increase
I started zoloft 9 days ago, an entry amount of 25mg that by titration should be upped in the next few weeks to 100. In the last two days I felt fantastic, honestly. I had to deal with side effects the first 4-5 days. One night especially was really tough because I got a panic attack. But if I compare how I felt just 10 days ago...I feel like I'm slowly waking up from a nightmare. Got prescribed for anxious depression, yesterday night I was talking with my boyfriend and I realized I felt safe and calm. Not like something horrible has to happen at every moment. Not like I have to be in a hurry all the time. No anguish, no fear. I asked him if it is how people feel usually. He just smiled, and I understood how BAD I was feeling all of a sudden, for many many years. So, I'm really optimistic about this therapy. I'm very curious to see how it will evolve in time. Thank you for your vids, they help and you seem a genuine, thoughtful and sweet guy <3
Wow, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! I'm so glad you've felt progress so quickly. Many of the benefits can start to activate within weeks so it's great that you have seen improvement. Buckle up for the long haul as things can certainly go up and down from time to time but it sounds like your in a good environment to make really great strides. So pleased you feel 'normal'! after so long, great isn't it!?
@@AlexRobbMentalHealth It is :) Thank you for spreading your experience through your videos. There is still a bit of a stigma around these topics, a bit of shame if you will. And you help people feeling more comfortable and normal <3
Just wait until you hit the wall and want to stop taking this BIG PHARMA miracle drug !!!!!!! Withdrawal is as servere as opiate withdrawal.... It's another example of how healh-care givers are under the spell of big pharma.
Thanks for your comment. This is an old video, I have stopped now as felt like I didn’t need them any longer. No major issues withdrawing from them in a carefully managed process.
None! Doing really well. In fact didn’t really have ongoing side effects after a couple of months. I found it to be overall very beneficial to my life. Others would disagree but I’d do again if needed
Robb have you been taking zoloft for 5 years? any weight gain, libido issues? sorry to be so direct i just saw your video from 5 years ago hope you are well
Hi, no need to apologise! I’m here for the direct questions. No, I haven’t taken it for a few years now and I’m doing really well. I made an update video last week if you have a look at recent videos. I have videos on weight and libido too actually! In short, libido suffered temporarily and gained some weight but I’d put that down to diet more than anything. Lost weight again now!
@@larsmichaelstockhausenhekt1443 thts a really good question and one I hadn’t really considered before. I do believe that there is a case for this sort of argument - as seen in placebo cases. That said, I don’t think I had many pre-conceptions before I took the first dose and then almost 💩 myself immediately 😂😂😂
Thanks so much! Yes 100% I think that diet is probably one of the most effective ways we can control mood. The issue is that, for many people (myself included), poor mental health leads us down a route of poor diet as we chase the dopamine hit that processed food gives us.
@AlexRobbMentalHealth I think that sums up where I am. I've started with supplements, magnesium, b12, and vit d, and they have helped so loads. Just struggle to pick an apple up instead of a chocolate bar! 🤣
@@adammacdonald5884 my big tip is - make breakfast good. Two reasons for this; 1. If you start the day well through gym or diet, the rest of the day has a standard to meet. I find I make healthier decisions if I have had a healthier start. 2. If you do end up eating badly for the rest of the day, at least you had a healthy breakfast. This mitigates some of the feelings of guilt that might come from eating poorly. I try and hit a protein goal with my breakfast so usually it’s oats, yogurt and some protein powder.
I was talking Sertraline for 4 days 50 dose and straight away talking it have headache constipated muscle pains and felt like a zombie felt very unwell and got my blood pressure checked and at 160/100 never took one again and a week after last tablet was taken blood pressure was back to 110/70 definitely need to be careful what you take
