DD15 just started Zoloft-I have concerns

[frannn]

DD15 has always been quiet, so-so in school, generally a "good" kid. A year or so ago, she started hanging around with a group in school of troubled female teens (all have attempted suicide, cutters, in counseling). Since this time, we found that she has been cutting (not deep) for a few months, so we started her seeing her sister's (DD11) counselor, and a separate psych who saw her once and recommended Zoloft. This psych wants us to see her once every 2 weeks while DD15 gets stable on the meds, then once a month thereafter. She also wants us to leave our current counselor (just DD15) and get a new counselor at her office (for their convenience). We really like the counselor we have now, who sees both DDs. She sees DD15 one week, then DD11 the following week, and so forth. If we switch to the new office, we will end up having 3 counseling appts every other week (on 3 separate days). Both kids come with us to the office each appt, so I'm concerned this will be disruptive for them once school starts. They have a church group one day a week they might miss out on, etc. My concern is twofold- Since DD15 has started the Zoloft (and been happy to), will she now be married to it for several years? How often should the psych be monitoring her-is the once every two weeks, then once a month appts normal? Should we stick to our current counselor for both DDs even though the psych is in a different office, or keep the current counselor for DD11, then get the new counselor for DD15 in the psych's office (thereby committing to 3 days/week appts)?
I am also concerned that some of DD15's problems are a product of her environment, and that keeping her on these meds will make it worse....
Please offer any advice....

 

[danacara]

No real advice except that Zoloft was a godsend to me when I needed it. Also, Ian Crocker (who will try to beat Michael Phelps tonight in Olympic swimming) went through a horrible depression and came through it with Zoloft, here's the article ... I guess what I'm trying to say is that very normal successful people benefit from these drugs and aren't married to them forever, no worries about that --

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1852945&type=story

 

[Pete's Mom]

For about 3 years I pretty much walked around totally stressed and felt like I was under constant pressure. Little things would really bother me and even affected my sleep, I didn't even want to get out of bed in the morning. I was very short and impatient with Pete and it really stressed me out because I felt like I was a bad mom. Still, I did not try to seek help because sadly there is such a stigma associated with anyone taking meds for nerves. I didn't want to rely on a pill, I just need to snap out of it, people would think I was crazy if I had to take meds, blah, blah, blah. I was at the end of my rope before I finally spoke to my family doctor and he wrote me a prescription for 50mg of Zoloft. In the first week my mood changed dramatically.

It's not that Zoloft makes you high or giddy. I can't really explain how it works. I just feel more calm and relaxed. The "anxious" feeling I used to always feel is gone. I am actually sleeping better. I actually look better too since I feel more energetic and well rested. Also, strangely enough, my pre-menstrual symptoms have decreased. No more bloating or breast pain. When I told my OB/GYN this, she wrote me prescription for a year supply of refills. I think you would be surprised to know the number of people that take Zoloft on a regular basis. My pharmacist told me that it is commonly prescribed.

I don't really care if I am on Zoloft for the rest of my life. I am treating a chemical imbalance that I have no control over. I see it no differently than the insulin shot the diabetic takes every morning, or the pills that some takes for allergies or high blood pressure.

Good luck to you and your DD's. Keep us posted on their progress. Like I said, you should see some improvement within the first few weeks.

 

[bumcat]

I don't really care if I am on Zoloft for the rest of my life. I am treating a chemical imbalance that I have no control over. I see it no differently than the insulin shot the diabetic takes every morning, or the pills that some takes for allergies or high blood pressure.
____________________________________________________



Perfectly said, Pete's mom! ITA.
Have you asked your daughter how she feels about changing counselors? Sounds like things are working with the counselor they are currently seeing.
Once a month psych appts. sounds normal to me (going by my past experince some yrs ago).

 

[bumcat]

Just had another thought - why not get a psych that your current counselor recommends?

 

[GeekChic]

i have taken it on and off for 12 years. It has been an effective tool for me in dealing with the chemical imbalance that i live with and also is used to treat some MS symptoms as well.

It works very well for a lot of people. Recently there have been some studies saying that people under 18 who take these drugs (SSRI's) must be monitored closely for suicidal behavior.

I am not trying to scare you; the drug is effective and tolerated well by most people. Just keep an eye out for negative changes in behavior; keep in close contact with a psychiatrist (MD) and yeah, appointments every 2 weeks while she adjusts sounds about right to me. Then once a month for follow up.

I would be really hesitant to give up a counselor that my child (or myself) was particularly attached to or confident with. that is a TREASURE and not something easily replaced. I would ask the counselor to see if they can refer me to an MD that they work with to keep up the prescription. That is JMO, but if your child has to start over with a new therapist while also starting the new medication it could be stressful. not the end of the world but perhaps an unnecessary stress.

I am not currently on any anti-depressants; i quit cold turkey a couple months ago because after being on them about 4 years solid i wanted to see how i would do. some days are worse than others and i have considered going back on the meds several times. for now i'm holding out to see what my body can do.

i was told though that likely i would need these meds the rest of my life, and if i end up doing so, so be it. just like someone already said, there is no stigma with a diabetic taking insulin, SSRI's are no different. They are not sedatives, they do not make you high. They just help to balance out the chemistry that nature sometimes neglects to.

Best wishes, and understanding hugs!
geek