Any DISers with kids on Zoloft?

[Tuffcookie]

Took DS to Dr today because of symtoms of depression. She agreed with me and wrote an Rx for Zoloft. This is something I've never dealt with. I've always tried to stay away from medication figuring it best to deal with problems head-on but at this point I'm willing to try anything. DS has had a major set back with his dad, which I think is the root of this problem. (Dad told him in Sept. that if DS wouldn't chose to live with him, he (dad) wouldn't see him again! He hasn't seen his dad since Sept). DS has trouble concentrating, his grades are terrible this year, he has a very difficult time falling asleep at night...just seems sad. His homeroom teacher was the one that mentioned maybe he was depressed. Funny, the counsellor I have been taking him to since Oct. has never mentioned depression. Does anyone else have kids on Zoloft and did it help?

TC

 

[RitaZ.]

No advice to offer on the medication, just hugs for your DS.

I think his dad was way off base in what he said to your DS. Does he not realize what effect such words can have on a kid?

I hope things get better for you DS.

 

[hipporina]

My ds was on Zoloft for a little while to help with post traumatic stress disorder and the depression and anxiety that resulted (we adopted him at 7). It didn't seem to help him much though, so we stopped it. A new word of caution, concern has been raised recently about antidepressants including Zoloft actually increasing suicide rates in children. You can find more information in Yahoo news and other sites. I'm not trying to tell you that it won't work for your ds or will cause him to commit suicide, but it is something you probably should be aware of.

 

[lsyorke]

Talk about hitting home!! DS 15 has been on Paxil(another ssri antidepressant) for about a year after anxiety attacks. Did really well until being assaulted by a group of kids. Post traumatic stress symptoms started. After seeing a psychologist in addition to the psychiatrist we have decided to wean him off the Paxil since some of post traumatic stress symptoms we are seeing are also listed as the adverse symptoms of Paxil.

This has been a real balancing act. Anxiety/post traumatic stress/adolescence!!! I've read alot on the antidepressants in the past few weeks and have enough concern that I'm glad we're getting him off this.

Looking back over the last year DS grades have dropped, more anger noted, and an apathy that appears out of no where. I'm not saying that this is all due to the Paxil, but it scared me enough to wean him off and see what happens.

My advice is find a good psychologist that your child can talk to. This can be a challenge but its well worth it. If medication is indicated be very careful which one they use. As of January the only antidepressant approved for children under the age of 18 is Prozac.(Its the same catagory of SSRI as Paxil, but hasn't shown the same adverse symptoms)

Feel free to PM me!! sometimes you just need someone who has been through the same stuff.