I've been on Zoloft (sertraline) 175mg since late September 2025, and was doing very well (depression-free, anxiety low) until a week or so ago, when I started waking up every day with anxiety in my chest that pretty much lingers through the day, and a gradual increase in depressive symptoms: not looking forward to much, low energy, strong urges to nap, etc. No suicidal feelings, but a sense of hopelessness, like, "Oh no, here we go again." I should add that I had a big stressor about a month ago: my husband had a stroke, and while he is doing fine now, it really shook me to my core. I held it together great while he was in the hospital, and I think because the initial danger has now passed, I'm falling apart a bit.
I called my doctor 3 days in (something I usually put off doing, so I'm proud of myself for being proactive), and he suggested maybe waiting a few days, but not too long, and if I wasn't feeling any relief or if the feelings were intensifying, that I should increase my dose to 200mg per day (I'd been up to 275mg per day several years ago, and tolerated it well).
After two additional days passed, I didn't feel any relief, so I upped to 200mg per day. I'm now on day 6 of 200mg, and no relief is here.
Any words of wisdom or encouragement? I plan to call the doc again in a couple of days if I don't feel any improvement.
Thanks and best to all.