can zoloft make my anxiety worse?

[nikki1408]

i have taken zoloft 25 mg for 3 day and since i started taking it my anxiety level has been sky high. is this normal for the first few weeks of this medicine?? i have also tried paxil and effexor and both of those caused horrid side effects. should i stick with the zoloft to see if the anxiety evenyually goes away?

[nikki1408]

thanks guys,
i am going t try and stick with it oat least for another week or so if i can. (chinasyndrome) i am in the process of ordering some self help cbt books to see if they help. thanks again

[Chinasyndrome]

I AGREE WITH SPECIAL MOM COMMENTS WHOLEHEARTEDLY. My very first experience with Paxil was simular to yours, I actually felt worse off during the first two weeks, but this tapered off and by the first month I noticed a significant improvement in my cognitive abilities, mood, and overall mental well being. Stick it out a little longer but no longer than a month.

Also try some exercise or intense work around the house or go for long walks. Try and reconcile the things in your life (like a bad relationship for example) that may be actually causing your symptoms and try to eliminate,mitigate or trivaltize them.

Talk to a sympathetic ear for support or better yet, possibly talk with a psychotherapist; they may be able to offer more suggestions and support for you. If you do so, ask the pyschotherapist about CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). We are all products of the activities and the environment around us and we need to learn to adapt to it before it changes us instead. Good luck! I hope this is of some help.

[specialmom]

It very well could be a start up side effect of your zoloft.  You could try a few more days and see if it tapers off (after another 2 weeks, if you can handle it).  If not, it may not be the drug for you.  I wouldn't wait longer than a month though.  If you still feel this way----  I'd talk to your doctor about what your other options are.  If you can't handle it, call the doctor now.  I might add that 25 mg is a small dose of zoloft.  Good luck and I hope you find the right mix of 'whatever' to help.