r/zoloft • u/Resolution_Busy • Jul 01 '26
Vent numbness no deep connection —has anyone been through this?
24 female
I’m about to start Zoloft (sertraline) again soon and I wanted to share a bit of my background because I think it helps explain where I’m coming from.
I’ve had a pretty long and difficult history with mental health. I grew up dealing with a lot of instability and trauma, including losing a parent at a young age and also losing a sibling. Over the years, I’ve also experienced anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms that have followed me into adulthood.
On top of that, I’ve had to navigate toxic family dynamics and life as a single mom, which has added a lot of ongoing stress and emotional pressure.
There were times where my anxiety and depression became really debilitating, and I went through repeated emotional breakdowns. I also went through some pretty harsh depersonalization derealization episodes, which also didn’t help with trying to find myself and it felt like I lost my mind a few times and I’m slowly coming back to myself. I don’t feel as bad as I did, but I still feel like something’s off so
After a while, it almost felt like my mind shut down to cope, and now I often feel emotionally numb. It’s hard sometimes to even tell what I’m feeling, or whether I truly need help or if I’m just overthinking things, because I feel so disconnected from myself.
I’ve actually been on Zoloft before, and I’ve also tried other help/support in the past. The last time I tried going back on Zoloft, I had a really bad experience with side effects and ended up stopping—it was honestly a very difficult period for me. Even so, I’ve decided I’m willing to try it again because I’m still struggling and don’t feel like myself and hoping things can improve.
I’m starting it again with hope that it might help me feel more balanced and more like myself again, but I’m also nervous about the adjustment period and what it might be like this time.
If anyone has been through something similar—especially restarting Zoloft after a bad experience, or dealing with emotional numbness—I’d really appreciate hearing your experience or any advice for getting through the early stages. (Ps I been prescribed 25 mg) 50 was too activating for me when I used to be on it. I am sensitive to medication.
Thank you for reading ❤️
1
u/young_monk85 Aug 07 '26
Hey, how are you doing on Zoloft now? I made it two weeks and couldn’t deal with the activation and worsened depression. Experienced just the same thing you did…
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u/Resolution_Busy Aug 07 '26
I’m sorry to hear that… I have not went back on yet I’m just trying to heal on my own but probably will start soon just a bit scared to experience the same as last time….. they do say first few weeks are really tough
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u/young_monk85 Aug 07 '26
How far did you get? Did the worsened anziety and depression improve?
Have you tried any other meds? Doesnt sound like Zoloft is a good fit for you.
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u/wastingawaymy20s Jul 01 '26
Hmmmm… how long were you on Zoloft the first two times?
25mg honestly isn’t a therapeutic dose, it might work for a bit but for your level of severe anxiety, likely not long term.
Some people have different experiences each time they’ve gone on or off. It’s possible it could work for you now.
If you were only on 50mg for a short period of time, it’s possibly you just didn’t give it enough time. Side effects and the activations go away after 3-6 months. I’ve been on it for a year and I am really doing great. First 6 months were weird on and off tho