Sertraline and Intrusive Thoughts

Hello everyone, I’m interested in peoples experience with taking Sertraline and how it helps to control intrusive thoughts? Been on 50mg now for just under 8 weeks but this week feels like I’m going backwards. Tiredness, increase in sticky intrusive thoughts and fatigue. Started obsessing over my dreams at the weekend and think I have a cold too which is not helping. I don’t really feel the anxiety like I used too, feels like a can of coke that has been shaken waiting for the can to be opened if that makes sense! I have seen the doctor this week and because my GAD and PHQ scores are 0 and 2 it was decided to stay on 50mg with the a view of coming off them in about 6 months if I feel it is something I want. ERP starting on the 25th October.

hen7

Date posted: 1y

Hi! That’s great that you’ll get ERP soon. I heard the recommendation is to stay on medication until you have fully finished therapy. But a psychiatrist/doctor can be a better judge at that than me. My experience with sertraline (I’ve build up to 100 mg in 4 weeks) is that it doesn’t stop the intrusive thoughts, but that they go away faster, esp after I have done exposure. And the exposures in themselves are “easier” to do (still not easy, but slightly less scary to do). So I think that the combination with sertraline AND ERP will give you the best benefits. When you’re tired and have a cold it’s no wonder you’re more vulnerable to the thoughts and give in sooner. Be sure to take care of yourself. I hope you’ll feel better soon!

benjita1

Date posted: 1y

@hen7 Hi, thank you for your reply! I found between day 9 and 20 I felt great, then had a bit of dip for about a week and then felt ok from about day 27 to 50. It seems to have helped my anxiety as I know it’s in the background but just not having the panic attacks or anxiety symptoms it makes you feel a bit strange if that makes sense, almost like your not reacting to them like your used too which probably makes it feel worse! The intrusive thoughts just came on suddenly just like they used too but feel worse I guess as I’m not feeling 100%

hen7

Date posted: 1y

@benjita1 Yeah, I always get a little bit of extra OCD and anxiety when I’m sick. Totally logical. Yes I recognize that it feels really strange sometimes to know that this is something I would have FREAKED OUT about a few months ago and now I’m like “ehh”. It made me worried that stopping would increase my symptoms again, but I try to focus on ERP so that the OCD is put to sleep again so that I’ll at least have the best chance that it doesn’t. :)

OCDisHell

Date posted: 1y

Been on SSRIs for 21 years and the lower dosages 50-100mg of zoloft had little to no affect for me. I can day the higher dosages 150-200 have helped tremendously. I've been on 200mg for 10 years and it keeps my OCD "at bay", but I've tried to lower it in the past to 50mg and that was a big mistake as my OCD symptoms pretty much debilitated me. Hope this helps. God bless

benjita1

Date posted: 1y

@OCDisHell Thank you for your comment! I have emailed my doctor to see what he recommends. I’m hoping this is just a blip as it’s only 8 weeks in and I understand it can take up to 12 weeks to get a full effect

OCDisHell

Date posted: 1y

@benjita1 Yes. I'm not a doctor but I've read there is a window of time I think 3-6 weeks if not longer to feel a "therapeutic" effect. I believe the levels need to build in the body for you to feel a difference.

Ableedinghea...

Date posted: 1y

It has helped me so much! It truly saved my life

OCDisHell

Date posted: 1y

Say*

AvsFan95

Date posted: 15w

OCD and Zoloft (Sertraline)

Hi everyone, I’m new to the community. I was diagnosed with OCD just a couple of months ago and have been doing some reading and other research to try and understand the disorder. With this, I have been actively seeing a great therapist who has been helpful to build tools to deal with my intrusive thoughts ( contamination OCD is my worst theme). Do help learn to deal with the compulsions, I start on Sertraline or “Zoloft” I believe since November 2024. Currently I’m on 50mg and have been doing this for just over a month. My question for those who are also taking Sertraline and it has been successful, how do you know it has really provided a benefit and how long did it take to get there? I sometimes feel the medication works, and sometimes I feel it doesn’t (maybe that’s my OCD trying to mess with things). Thanks!

ocdnomore1

Date posted: 8w

sertraline, zoloft

I struggling with POCD specially fear of inappropriate porn thoughts.. I am in week 3 sertraline and my anxiety is like at the peak now.. I hope it gets better when I hang on with the med

ocdnomore1

Date posted: 4w

SSRI changing in brain

I literally feel movements, pressure, tickle in my brain.. I still don't have access to myself :-( I don't feel happiness.. Some repetitive thoughts are gone, but I really feel like losing my mind I am on 200mg sertraline for 3 weeks now.. I had OCD for years but I could live with it.. Now my brain just stop working

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Sertraline and Intrusive Thoughts

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