I've been on Zoloft for about five weeks now and each day is really hard. I work full time and am missing about one day a week so far due to bad anxiety. The meds aren't working for me (yet - not sure if they will), but I am wondering how many of you work outside the home? How do you cope with feeling like this and working?
Please share your stories!
I am in the US by the way.
Yes I work outside the home. When I have anxiety or a panic attack I take deep breaths, but I don't inhale or exhale out in a large gasp, I try and be silent about it. I usually put on a fake smile. It's hard but no 9ne notices as far as I know or they just don't care.
I have nearly day-long anxiety that I attempt to control with klonopin while I wait out the Zoloft.
I have to admit, I'm sometimes jealous of those who don't work and can take the proper time to heal.
You're right in that most people don't notice. No one would notice here except I miss about one day a week of work and I am very open about my problem.
I also take clonadine if it's really bad. Ask your doctor for help.
I've never heard of clonadine... I do have clonazepam (which is generic klonopin) and that can help while I'm waiting out the right anti-depressant. I also start therapy soon.
I am from the U.S. and I don't know if that 8s the same as the U.K. sorry.
No worries. Clonazepam works OK. Xanax was not a good drug for me for breakthrough anxiety.
Sorry to hear it's so hard for you 
I've been on sertraline for 8 weeks and have recently begun cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety. I live in the UK and work pretty much full time but have had to take off a couple of weeks and reduce my bar shifts and only work in the day. People have commented that I don't seem myself ...I just say I'm a bit tired. Would really like a couple of months off but I don't know if it would do me any good. Every day presents a battle to get out of bed and face the world but it is getting slightly better. I hope your anxiety eases off as j know how crippling it can be!
Hi. Sorry to hear your story. Ive been on Sertaline for 3 months now lifes not been kind either. I have been advised the therapy too have you found it to be any good. X
Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry to hear you're struggling. I am starting therapy in about 10 days. I hope it can help. I've been in therapy off and on for years and didn't feel it did much, but maybe a new therapist will be what I need.
I did file for FMLA (in the states) and I can take up to 12 weeks off UNPAID (thanks US healthcare system!) but I haven't used up all my vacation time yet. My boss has been great and is working with me on letting me work from home if I need to. It doesn't necessarily help my anxiety and depression (well, the anxiety, some), but it's a nice option. Getting to work does seem to be what I need to do, as lying in bed all day doesn't seem to make me feel any better.
I feel ya' on the battle to get out of bed. That's my biggest hurdle of the day, too.
I wouldn't say I feel better, but I'm starting to have moments where I think I might see a light at the end of the tunnel.
PM me if you want to chat! I know how rough this is!
Hi i struggle daily with work but im self employed so have no choice but to battle on. Its very hard coping with day to day life and depression as people around cannot see the illness. Sometimes i just want to stay in bed and hide away. I force myself to get up every day. I just felt as though i was turning a corner and my father passed away unexpectantly such a shock and my partner told me he wasnt sure where our relationship was going i sank to the bottom of despair. I try hard each day. X
It's a tough road! I'm lucky in that most people know I have this condition and most are very understanding and accepting.
I *always* want to stay in bed! Getting up is the hardest part of the day.
I'm so sorry to hear your father passed away. :*( Also, your partner. Either one of those things would be heartbreaking and I'm so sorry to hear you're going through both problems. (((HUGS))) You're doing the best you can. <3
Thank you I appreciate that and I hope the therapy does help for you. I've had two sessions so far and I found myself saying things out loud that I didn't consciously know I was thinking so it does help. Admittedly I feel facing things can make everything worse for a while but I'm hoping that's a sign of it working. Like yourself there's a little light at the end of the tunnel, it just seems so far away. Keep aiming for that light I guess!
I've had two sessions so it's early days but I have found myself saying things that I didn't know I was even thinking consciously so that was a help. The CTB has started to make me think about the issues that may have caused the depression and anxiety. I haven't got a clue how to tackle them all yet but I am starting to become aware of what I might need to tackle if that makes sense. I really hope it works for you and I've predominantly heard nothing but good things about the therapy 
In my case (I think), my anxiety doesn't come from any particular source. As far as I can tell, it's a chemical imbalance. Therapy may prove otherwise though!
Hiya! I work full-time, I started Sertraline 2 days ago over the weekend so pretty nervous as to how tomorrow will go. I'm a teacher so I won't really be able to take time off unless I'm in a really bad way so I'm hoping I can just get by without anyone asking too many questions. So far I've just had weird cramps and some horrid headaches. Yesterday I just let myself stay on the sofa all day, literally did nothing else but watch TV. Today I'm feeling a bit more energetic. Really don't know how I'll cope with work tomorrow. x
I'm about six weeks in with no real improvement. I wish Zoloft worked for me, but after another week or so, I think I'm going to have to try something else.
I wish you luck. This med seems to work for many, but it's not been effective for me.
I've recently just started experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. at first it completely stopped my work I had to take a lot of days off. I spoke with my manager and told her how I'd been feeling and she decreased my workload until I feel better. I feel anxious everytime I leave my house. This is probably going to sound mad but I can't use public transport anymore I'm afraid of getting on a bus just incase I have a panic attack so to get to and from work I now have to get a taxi. which is a really expensive way but it gets me out of the house and earn money at the same time!
My boss is allowing me to work from home for the time being while I wait out these meds. I'm lucky she's so understanding. I just wish I felt better.
Hope things turn around for you soon Erinola! I guess if it's been six weeks it might be time to consider another type of meds?