Sertraline, a common antidepressant, can regulate the concentration of synaptic gap 5-hydroxytryptamine to achieve antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. After taking sertraline, during the first two weeks of treatment, it is possible to first stimulate 2A receptors, which may cause adverse reactions, such as gastrointestinal reactions, increased anxiety and depression, and disruption of sleep. After two weeks the adverse reactions can often be adapted. Meanwhile after two weeks 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors are activated, thus improving the patient’s anxiety and depression through modulation and masking the adverse symptoms triggered by 2A receptor activation. Therefore, after taking sertraline, adverse drug reactions may be triggered within two weeks. After more than two weeks, the drug will gradually exert its therapeutic effect and achieve anti-anxiety and anti-depression. The efficacy can be assessed after 6-8 weeks of taking the medication. Most patients can get significant improvement in mood after treatment, and some patients achieve recovery by taking sertraline treatment.