iqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
Has anyone tried sertraline/zoloft for their ocd?
I’ve been prescribed this but I have never taken medication and I’m really scared of getting worse? Has anyone got a positive story for this? Thank you
TheocdguitaristTheocdguitarist
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3d
I have tried sertraline multiple times over the last few years. It helped somewhat, but I found the effects to be a little numbing to my emotions (although I was on a very high dose). Sertraline is an SSRI, which is an older drug classification. I am now on an SNRI called Desvenlafaxine, and it seems to work much better for me with less side effects. It really depends on the individual, but that was my experience.
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
@Theocdguitarist Thank you really appreciate this, I’m based in the Uk and they don’t really prescribe snri’s until we’re tried ssri but I have seen a few people say something similar
TheocdguitaristTheocdguitarist
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3d
@iqqqrah Ahh I see. I wouldn't be afraid of sertraline, especially on a lower dosage. It did help with my OCD, but it just didn't work as well as what I'm on now.
delanolesliedelanoleslie
- Date posted
- 3d
I am currently on this and it works quite well. Something I wasn't told by my provider at the time was that when you go up In dosage, it takes 8 weeks for you to get used to it and for the 8 weeks it gets a lot worse before it gets better. I am thinking of switching over cause I am at 150 mg currently and while it does help quite a bit I still have some issues and there are some bad days. YMMV though.
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
@delanoleslie Hey thank you for your response! (Sorry- what does YMMV mean )
delanolesliedelanoleslie
- Date posted
- 12h
@iqqqrah - Sorry, YMMV means your mileage may vary. Its just means like you may have different results, but that is what I experienced.
truetrevtruetrev
- Date posted
- 3d
Im on 400mg and have almost no side effects. These SSRIs are one of the safest drug classes out there, if you are scared of zoloft then theres not many other options.
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
@truetrev Hi, what dose did you start on? did it work straight away for you?
truetrevtruetrev
- Date posted
- 3d
@iqqqrah Started on 50 i think then go up by 50 til 200, you have to space out the titration out over a couple months. At 200 i still have severe OCD so its then just go up and see if you can tolerate more. 400 is actually the suggested dosage for OCD based on research but a lot of people care more about scare tactics and scared of medicine
r.m.1r.m.1
- Date posted
- 3d
I take sertraline. I was scared to start it initially but it has really helped me so much. The only side effect I had from it was increased anxiety while adjusting to it (but I was also in a major OCD flare). It’s given me lots of relief
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
@r.m.1 💕💕💕
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
@r.m.1 How long was your flare before starting it
r.m.1r.m.1
- Date posted
- 3d
@iqqqrah The flare continued for a month until the medication really kicked in. I took something for panic attacks at the time too…. But I was also between therapists (so no ERP) and also having a lot of hormonal changes. I’ve been taking sertraline for 5+ years now
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 2d
@r.m.1 Have you ever tried coming off them and what was your experience
r.m.1r.m.1
- Date posted
- 2d
@iqqqrah I did. I had no side effects tapering off but not having them caused my OCD symptoms to return to how it was before meds
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 2d
@r.m.1 Thank you for letting me know! Would you say they came back worse or the same?
r.m.1r.m.1
- Date posted
- 2d
@iqqqrah I can’t really say because I was also going through some extreme hormonal changes as well
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3d
If you haven’t ever taken medication i would try to not start. I 100000 fold recommend trying a workout routine regularly, especially with high intensity work or the norwegian 4x4 interval method. This can increase your serotonin naturally through an amazing protein called BDNF. There are so many negative side effects of medicine that get downplayed that if i were you i would 100000000000000 try holistic routes prior to meds, i wish i did☺️
truetrevtruetrev
- Date posted
- 3d
@Anonymous Some people OCD is much more severe than yours
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 3d
@Anonymous Thank you. I appreciate this, I have tried holistically and am still trying, I take saffron everyday, I’ve also tried St John’s wort and currently trying 5HTP. I’ve actually thought about it a lot and feel like it is my only option as it is now affecting every aspect of my life.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 2d
@truetrev This is a weird reply truetrev… you know nothing about me & me OCD! Seems to hit a sore spot offering holistic help…
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 2d
@iqqqrah Ugh💔 i am sorry to hear this. I hope you can find your groove to alleviating your mental health💕be careful with taking the saffron and 5-HTP, check dosage there can be a risk of serotonin syndrome i believe! Before going to the meds try taking creatine daily, magnesium glycinate at bed time, and working out- key is the working out is consistent. I also take reishi at night with the magnesium glycinate and it really calms me down. Best of luck to you
iqqqrahiqqqrah
- Date posted
- 2d
@Anonymous Thank you. I have tried this previously and will do again, not heard of creatine but will look into it!
truetrevtruetrev
- Date posted
- 2d
@Anonymous They were asking about medicine, specifically zoloft. Your reply is the weird one with your anti medication agenda. Some people need medicine, i am one of them, so yes i find it a little insulting that you are downplaying OCD
Related posts
justsomone1
- Date posted
- 18w
starting Zoloft.
For starters I was on this medicine before i remember the first few weeks were very scary and debilitating. I don’t remember why I stopped taking it , it was about 7 months ago. but I just recently started back because my ocd and anxiety has been off the chain. I keep having bad thoughts about the side affects and I’m terrified like “ what if I have a seizure” can anybody share an experience? Anyone on Zoloft here. Thanks !
AvsFan95
- Date posted
- 14w
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!
avantika 🪻
- Date posted
- 13w
Medication
So I have been diagnosed with GAD and OCD and my psychiatrist prescribed me with zoloft 🤔 but I dont know im really hesitant to start medication because im scared of the side effects and ik afraid of relying on a medication for a long time. Does anyone else take zoloft? What is it like? Any side effects?
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond