Zoloft anyone ever taken it?

[Fixed]

Went to a psych yesterday he told me I needed this in the day and(Trazodone ) a different pill for sleep at night ..mrs fixed told him I will not even take an Advil . what is next :eek:
Life gets better all the time
Cheers

[benitosan1972]

Don't do it if you don't have to... Natural remedies or behavior/cognitive mods/therapy are better/more effective/healing/and permanent than taking a pill... Stress relief/meditation/relaxation/diet/exercise/and general actions to better your life/body/mind/soul... Or find a rewarding hobby/release... Good luck

*I'm anti-medication, but I know sometimes it's necessary to alleviate/address the underlying problems, good luck! I like your comments here, you sound like a solid person, sorry if you have depression, you will find a way to overcome it :)

[eddief]

what is the diagnosis? Zoloft is one of many drugs and they are often prescribed for depression. I know many a person who has been changed in a good way by antidepressants. Complex subject, but I am sure a bunch o bike guys good with wrenches should be a big help here. I think the brain is a big blender with a bunch of chemicals in it. Sometimes you got too much bananas and not enough yogurt. Anti depressants can balance out the ingredients so you get a good smoothie.

[LegendRider]

Assuming the diagnosis is depression, this lecture might shed some light on the biology behind it.

http://youtu.be/NOAgplgTxfc

[Fixed]

Depression ,
Anxiety , Result of my t.b.i. I have headaches dizziness cognitive trouble memory issues mood swings .I sit in a room all day ,as the months dragged on I I was not getting better and my depression started getting worse as time went by .
I found recently I can swim if I tether myself and keep my eyes closed that has made me feel somewhat better
cheers

[echelon_john]

This is a huge topic but my advice overall is this:
- Medical professionals work within their own comfort zone. This zone often includes reaching for a prescription as a firstline solution rather than exploring other strategies for treating the underlying issue. It's kind of like the saying about a carpenter who thinks every solution should involve a hammer. SSRIs like Zoloft can be a component of a treatment plan, but they are not the ONLY treatment option.

- To that end, if you're not in crisis/severe depression, it would be a good idea to try to look at the underlying issues you're trying to solve as objectively as you can, and get outside objective opinions from people you trust. This could mean speaking with a nutritionist, someone who practices Eastern/alternative medicine, or another psychiatric professional. If you have other health issues or life situations that are contributing to the depression, these need attention now.

- If you don't want to go on medication, and you're not in crisis, don't. Explore all the other options first. Don't be pressured. Going off SSRIs (which is what Zoloft is) can be MUCH worse than going on. Physicians, even psychiatric specialists, tend to brush over this fact.

- If you're depressed, and you haven't done this yet, you should really at least TRY talk therapy. It doesn't help everyone, and it's greatly dependent on the provider, but it can be extremely valuable alone or in combination with antidepressants if necessary. Reach out to your friends/neighbors for personal recommendations, then take a trial meeting with anybody who sounds like they might be up your alley. Even if you "know what your issues are," which many smart people do, talking can still be very helpful. Don't be afraid to give a few folks a try before committing to one. Even that process can be very helpful and clarifying.

- A lot of people feel better as soon as they start medication. This is just my opinion, but I think that's because the feeling of "I'm doing something about this" and the hope that comes with medication are a tremendously positive influence on mood. I believe that addressing your depression proactively by exploring the points I mentioned above can also help you feel like you're taking control and making progress. Don't discount this; taking small steps like reaching out here, or talking with friends, or researching online are very positive things and you should feel good that you're asking the right questions and owning the process, rather than being a passive participant.

Hope this helps a little.
-John

[jds108]

Fixed,

It's been 20 years since I fought depression. Of course my situation might be completely different than yours. My suggestion is to learn as much as possible about your options and the various treatments (so talk to a second doctor, and look up the side effects of any potential meds).

It took medication plus some therapy time for me. There was no "aha!" moment, but at some point I did regain the motivation/drive/desire to live a 'normal' life.

The med that I was taking had a couple of annoying side effects, but it seemed to help my mood so I stuck with it. Can't remember the name of the med...

Good luck, and stay positive!

[spiderman]

You are the best fixed...

[thwart]

This is a huge topic but my advice overall is this:
- Medical professionals work within their own comfort zone. This zone often includes reaching for a prescription as a firstline solution rather than exploring other strategies for treating the underlying issue. It's kind of like the saying about a carpenter who thinks every solution should involve a hammer. SSRIs like Zoloft can be a component of a treatment plan, but they are not the ONLY treatment option.

- To that end, if you're not in crisis/severe depression, it would be a good idea to try to look at the underlying issues you're trying to solve as objectively as you can, and get outside objective opinions from people you trust. This could mean speaking with a nutritionist, someone who practices Eastern/alternative medicine, or another psychiatric professional. If you have other health issues or life situations that are contributing to the depression, these need attention now.

- If you don't want to go on medication, and you're not in crisis, don't. Explore all the other options first. Don't be pressured. Going off SSRIs (which is what Zoloft is) can be MUCH worse than going on. Physicians, even psychiatric specialists, tend to brush over this fact.

- If you're depressed, and you haven't done this yet, you should really at least TRY talk therapy. It doesn't help everyone, and it's greatly dependent on the provider, but it can be extremely valuable alone or in combination with antidepressants if necessary. Reach out to your friends/neighbors for personal recommendations, then take a trial meeting with anybody who sounds like they might be up your alley. Even if you "know what your issues are," which many smart people do, talking can still be very helpful. Don't be afraid to give a few folks a try before committing to one. Even that process can be very helpful and clarifying.

- A lot of people feel better as soon as they start medication. This is just my opinion, but I think that's because the feeling of "I'm doing something about this" and the hope that comes with medication are a tremendously positive influence on mood. I believe that addressing your depression proactively by exploring the points I mentioned above can also help you feel like you're taking control and making progress. Don't discount this; taking small steps like reaching out here, or talking with friends, or researching online are very positive things and you should feel good that you're asking the right questions and owning the process, rather than being a passive participant.

Hope this helps a little.
-John

Very well said. One of the most helpful posts I've seen in awhile...

[Fixed]

l . Thanks guys For all the information it will take me awhile to digest all of it
Cheers

[Dekonick]

For starters - get your advice from a psychiatrist. You want a doctor who knows brain chemistry and brain pharm - it is extremely complicated.

You want a holistic treatment approach - diet, exercise, lifestyle, therapy, and medication. If a doc is tossing you pills without addressing the rest, get a new doctor.

Good luck!

[wasfast]

As noted by others, the root cause and resolution(s) to those causes can be varied and complex. My experience with SSRI's like Zoloft and Prozac was not great. Loss of sex drive, weight gain and nausea. Those would also be common side effects.

I've had the best results on bupropion (Wellbutrin). Some weight LOSS is normal and none of the side effects listed above. YMMV.....considerably.

Sleep aids have also not been helpful. OTC's like diphenhydramine leave me very groggy the next day in just about any dosage. While I was "asleep", as in not awake, the perceived restfullness wasn't any better. This also applies to prescription sleep aids (non-barbituates).

As usual, I'm not a doctor and am not attempting to play one on the internet either.

[holliscx]

This is a huge topic but my advice overall is this:
- Medical professionals work within their own comfort zone. This zone often includes reaching for a prescription as a firstline solution rather than exploring other strategies for treating the underlying issue. It's kind of like the saying about a carpenter who thinks every solution should involve a hammer. SSRIs like Zoloft can be a component of a treatment plan, but they are not the ONLY treatment option.

- To that end, if you're not in crisis/severe depression, it would be a good idea to try to look at the underlying issues you're trying to solve as objectively as you can, and get outside objective opinions from people you trust. This could mean speaking with a nutritionist, someone who practices Eastern/alternative medicine, or another psychiatric professional. If you have other health issues or life situations that are contributing to the depression, these need attention now.

- If you don't want to go on medication, and you're not in crisis, don't. Explore all the other options first. Don't be pressured. Going off SSRIs (which is what Zoloft is) can be MUCH worse than going on. Physicians, even psychiatric specialists, tend to brush over this fact.

- If you're depressed, and you haven't done this yet, you should really at least TRY talk therapy. It doesn't help everyone, and it's greatly dependent on the provider, but it can be extremely valuable alone or in combination with antidepressants if necessary. Reach out to your friends/neighbors for personal recommendations, then take a trial meeting with anybody who sounds like they might be up your alley. Even if you "know what your issues are," which many smart people do, talking can still be very helpful. Don't be afraid to give a few folks a try before committing to one. Even that process can be very helpful and clarifying.

- A lot of people feel better as soon as they start medication. This is just my opinion, but I think that's because the feeling of "I'm doing something about this" and the hope that comes with medication are a tremendously positive influence on mood. I believe that addressing your depression proactively by exploring the points I mentioned above can also help you feel like you're taking control and making progress. Don't discount this; taking small steps like reaching out here, or talking with friends, or researching online are very positive things and you should feel good that you're asking the right questions and owning the process, rather than being a passive participant.

Hope this helps a little.
-John

I sent this to my mom who was prescribed anti-depressants as a firstline defense for "living with her spouse." I encouraged my mom to exhaust all other options first before considering anti-depressants. I didn't say it orally as succinctly as John wrote but my message to my mom was the same except for therapy, which I didn't mention. Doctors are too quick to prescribe pills first which is relatively easy (for everyone) but what's hard is tackling the root of the problem.

I echo what others have shared here that I'm not a professional and only offer my good-hearted advice. I will say if you're depressed one of the healthiest things you can do is go ride your bike or at the very least get offline. A change of routine and a breath of fresh air may do wonders for you. Good luck.

[TomP]

Depression ,
Anxiety , Result of my t.b.i. I have headaches dizziness cognitive trouble memory issues mood swings .I sit in a room all day ,as the months dragged on I I was not getting better and my depression started getting worse as time went by .
I found recently I can swim if I tether myself and keep my eyes closed that has made me feel somewhat better
cheers

Hi fixed,

I haved worked in the field of TBI for over 30 years. The symptoms you describe sound actually quite typical. If it's Ok with you, I am happy to help any way I can. For many people it's good to have a team of health professionals to help. This often consists of a physiatrist (brain injury specialist to head up the team), and other sub-specialists and therapists as needed.

I know doctors and therapists all over the country. Please feel free to PM me and I'll give you my phone so we can talk. There is definitely help for you.

Be well.

[weiwentg]

Hi fixed,

I haved worked in the field of TBI for over 30 years. The symptoms you describe sound actually quite typical. If it's Ok with you, I am happy to help any way I can. For many people it's good to have a team of health professionals to help. This often consists of a physiatrist (brain injury specialist to head up the team), and other sub-specialists and therapists as needed.

I know doctors and therapists all over the country. Please feel free to PM me and I'll give you my phone so we can talk. There is definitely help for you.

Be well.

I've had a TBI. you can PM me as well.

depression is a common consequence of TBIs - chemical imbalances and etc. I was on effexor and later wellbutrin. to the poster who said don't take it if you don't need to, the obverse is also true - take it if you need to.

[echelon_john]

Absolutely agree with this. I'm not anti-meds. I'm anti meds as a first/only course of treatment when other complementary options exist. Meds can absolutely help, but just because they are freely prescribed doesn't mean they should be entered into without consideration.



I've had a TBI. you can PM me as well.

depression is a common consequence of TBIs - chemical imbalances and etc. I was on effexor and later wellbutrin. to the poster who said don't take it if you don't need to, the obverse is also true - take it if you need to.

[oldpotatoe]

Went to a psych yesterday he told me I needed this in the day and(Trazodone ) a different pill for sleep at night ..mrs fixed told him I will not even take an Advil . what is next :eek:
Life gets better all the time
Cheers

Psychiatrists are for prescribing medications. Most often that's all...BUT medication HAS to be combined with talk therapy.

Are you seeing a Psychologist or LCSW(Licensed Clinical Social Worker)?

I still have issues with depression and anxiety from by concussion 11 years ago, complicated by being screwed by a biz partner(thief)...I have have seen my therapist 3 times, and may again. It is a life long process. It gets' worse(Depression and anxiety), then less worse but it doesn't go away...

See somebody you are comfy with. Understanding what's going on with you is a great second step. The first is acknowledging the problems exist and you need to see somebody.