Derealization. Any advice would be great!

[Sophs82]

Hi I've been on sertraline 150mgs for 8 years now and had ocd in negative thoughts, but this derealization for the past year is freaking me out I cant go out , but I need to as I have 3 kids and my son who s 18 has serve autism so I need to be there for him . This constant feeling of like I'm living in a dream is driving me mad , does anyone get this with sertraline? Thanks x

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome. Have you read the leaflet with your medication to see if your symptoms are one of the listed side effects? That may be an idea so you will know if other people have reported it.

[Sophs82 in reply to Hidden]

Hi , it says mainly headaches , tiredness or weight loss nothing about derealization

[Hidden in reply to Sophs82]

Then I would not have thought that would be a side effect. Have you told your doctor what you are experiencing?

[Sophs82 in reply to Hidden]

Yes , I'm also seeing a physiologist and she said it could panic disorder or just making my self immune because of the life time of panic attacks, but I'm just so worried it might be something else

[Hidden in reply to Sophs82]

Oh yes, that makes sense. You are so worried about having a panic attack that you go numb so you do not feel anything. I can relate to that. I am sorry you are going through this.

[Tangerinemoon in reply to Hidden]

I get that symptom if I forget to take my medication or try to cut back...an awful side effect. Scary. Are you by chance cutting back your dose? I’m not familiar with your medicine. Can you build a tolerance to it?

[Sophs_82 in reply to Tangerinemoon]

Mine are called sertraline I'm on a 150 and been on them for 8 years and this started last year , but I'm not sure either and no I might miss pills someday but otherwise I dont know .

[Hollick]

what exactly is stopping you from going out? been taking sertraline for roughly 7 months 'ish', its helped with generalized anxiety, especially in the morning..that said, it has not done to much with social anxiety, but some marginal improvement, and with depression, still experience deep bouts, really no improvement there, especially if I have some time to brew..read an online article recently about the drug, offered some hope, saying if you stay on it long enough, eventually more of the depression will lift..idk, but its worth a try..you obviously have been on it much longer, derealization , don't know to much about it? things don't feel real, is that it? sounds kinda freaky? its also improved my sleep, I actually remember 'most' of my dreams..thx for sharing

[Sophs_82 in reply to Hollick]

Sertinline really worked for me for about 5years but the last couple of years my depression came back and got worse again, this derealization constantly makes u feel light headed or in a dream and people talk I just cant take it all In or I feel like I'm over talking or being strange ! That feeling u get when u feel light headed from hunger or lack of sugar , its scares the life out of me x

[Snowyowl23]

Sophs82 - id continue a dialogue with your prescriber about what you’re experiencing. I was on sertraline for many years but stopped taking it due to some side effects. (Mine was significant sexual dysfunction and severe apathy, plus it was no longer helping with the depression). Once I was off and opened up an honest dialogue with my provider and I got on better medication I felt so much better. If you can try to be as honest as possible with your prescriber they may pick up on clues to help adjust your medication. Remember to advocate for yourself, and if your prescriber isn’t listening then you have the right to talk with someone else. Good luck! 🦉🦉

[Sophs_82 in reply to Snowyowl23]

Thank u so much it's making me so sad because I cant do any social activities with my friends or my kids, I just want to feel normal again . But tomorrow I will go down and speak to the pharmacist and book a docs appointment thanks for your reply x

[Snowyowl23 in reply to Sophs_82]

You’re welcome!!! Having a serious mental illness can be hard sometimes and it’s so important that you’re on the right meds so you can feel good and spend time with people you love! ☺️ I truly wish you the best and hope you find medication that works and makes you feel better! 🦉

[Sophs_82]

I hope so too because normally I'll ignore it and try just get on with it , but this is actually driving me mad x

[Amethyst1986]

Totally know how you feel! You’ve explained just how I feel too, but didn’t even realise it... been feeling like I’m walking around on a cloud, that I’m not actually in my own body! Someone else is living my life, but just don’t know who?? Haven’t been to drs.. coz I’ve just kinda got on with it and blamed it all on this lockdown situation. Might actually go to drs. Thank you for reaching out! X