#5 of 30 Day Writing Challenge, Sertraline the Honest Truth.

Before Sertraline

I’ve been taking some form of antidepressant on and off now for 20 years. Initially, it was prescribed to tackle some real low periods. However, with a mixture of people-pleasing personality, sensitivity to social anxieties and tragic circumstances, I was a total mess and just at the start of my long journey with crippling anxiety.
Fast forward 10 years, several different brands of prescription drugs and still no progress. I was recommended Sertraline, the NHS prescribed preferred drug, to tackle anxiety but without much success either.

Withdrawal sucks

Every time I asked my GP if I can come off yet as it’s not doing anything, I was prescribed a more potent dosage. Every time I have tried to take myself off the drug, I have had complete breakdowns of panic and awful mood swings.

The withdrawal symptoms are terrible, the worst feelings ever I shit you not. When I talk about this with my GP, I get the response, ‘well, it shows the drug is working. If you take them, you won’t feel bad; how about we double your dosage again?’

My point is the withdrawal feelings are worse than not ever taking the drug in the first place. There have been some dark times in my life but never so lonely and fearful than sertraline withdrawal. I’m now on my 4th attempt in as many years to withdraw from this addictive substance. I’m not addicted to any high or good feeling they provide but the addictiveness of withdrawal avoidance. It’s severely disturbing in its grip on my daily life.

The Honest Truth

The truth the NHS GPs will not share when they prescribe Sertraline is that it’s so challenging to come off once you are on this drug. And catch-22 conversations will plague your recovery attempts. But I’m ever hopeful and defiant that I will be drug-free one day soon. There are better ways to manage anxiety symptoms without the trappings of withdrawal.

see my Journaling post for drug free method for managing anxiety.