When SSRI Increases Feel Like Relapses

Hey guys,

So everytime I increase my Zoloft, it seems like I go through all of the terrible things I went through all over again, it is so frustrating and so very triggering. I know it’s temporary, but while it’s happening, I can’t help but think I won’t get better, or that the medicine isn’t right for me anymore. With each increase, it took about 5 very long weeks to see improvement and I’m feeling incredibly frustrated and sad. Zoloft definitely increases my IT’s initially, as well as gives me the worst panic attacks. I’ve badically laid in bed as much as I could during this increase because it’s so difficult to go through it all again. The only different between how I am now and has I was is that it doesn’t last all day like it did before. I’m also always worrying that I’ll need a dose increase every few months which makes me feel worried that I’ll never overcome the trauma of this all. Looking for anyone with similar experiences/encouragement.

Thanks for listening and for this very supportive space to vent.

Hi Karen,

Thank you so much for your reply. Actually, I was better before I decided to increase but had some residual OCD that I wanted to clear up.

My psychiatrist said SNRI’s increase anxiety tremendously, so he doesn’t think they would be a good fit for me. I am bumping from 75 to 100, and split the increase up over a month on 12.5. I am very med sensitive or very Zoloft sensitive. I find these increases to be so difficult and traumatizing, as I initially started Zoloft when I was pregnant and had antenatal depression. Just looking for some reassurance/encouragement. All rise increases seem to take forever to start working for me. I wonder if this is Zoloft specific? It’s like on one hand, I was on 75 but I could tell it wasn’t working. So is the med actually in my system if it isn’t effective anymore? Does anyone else have to wait forever to see the results of an increase? I dread going through this again. How does one know a medication is right for them and when their therapeutic dose is reached. I should also add, that I had no symptoms 10 days into this increase, but once I ovulated, it spiked.