These are all fairly typical initial SSRI side-effects, Paul. :ohmy: They will usually diminish within a few weeks.
Unfortunately, many people prescribed ADs stop taking them within days because of side-effects. Has their GPs warned them about side-effects and prescribed a small starting dose most would probably have continued taking them. :weep:
No. Dependence doesn't develop that quickly. It would be an issue after a couple of months.
There are a couple of things to be aware of. Firstly, the initial side-effects can be more severe and/or different the second time on an AD. You might also need to take a higher dose than the last time to achieve the same outcome.
Also, 50mg is too high a starting dose for most with anxiety disorders so most treatment guidelines, including
BNF-NICE's, recommend taking 25mg for the first week to ease onto the AD. I suggest you then up it by the same amount at weekly intervals until you reach the full 50mg. However, given this is your second time on the sertraline merry-go-round, 12.5mg would likely given you an even easier ride. But you should clear taking a lower dose with the prescribing physician first (and maybe ask for a prescription for 25mg tablets if you have trouble quartering the 50mg tablets). Cutting tablets with a pill-cutter is both more accurate and often less bloody, ime, than trying to cut them with a knife. Your chemist/pharmacist should stock them.
Most side-effects can be diminished. Insomnia is that most common SSRI side-effect. Let your GP know if you still have trouble sleeping at the lower doses as it is relatively easily controlled with a small dose of mirtazapine, or a sedating antihistamine. For dry-mouth sip water to keep the mouth irrigated and if that isn't enough most chemists stock a range of gels, oral sprays, toothpastes and other products for dry-mouth. Loperamide (Imodium) is usually effective for SSRI induced diarrhoea. Not sure what the situation is in the UK, but supermarkets stock it here.