Zoloft

If you are considering stopping Zoloft, either because it isn’t working or because it worked and you feel better, you will want to know what to expect. This article will give you a good overview of what Zoloft withdrawal is like and how long it will last. . If you are abusing Zoloft or have been taking it as treatment for depression or anxiety, do not stop taking it suddenly, as this can cause moderate or serious withdrawal symptoms. A medical detox program can help you slowly taper off the drug to reduce the likelihood of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates and balances emotions, so many people who have low levels of serotonin suffer from depression and other mental disorders. SSRIs work by blocking the brain’s neurons from absorbing serotonin. As a result, more serotonin is available to facilitate connections between neurons, relieving disorders that arise from a shortage of the neurotransmitter. When a person has healthy levels of serotonin, they tend to experience better emotions, sleep more easily, and enjoy greater energy and interest in life.

Antidepressants are among the top most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Some people take them for a few weeks or months, whereas others take them for years. About one in four people on antidepressants have been taking them for 10 or more years. Once they find an antidepressant that works for them, many people continue taking it indefinitely. This is particularly true when the antidepressant causes no significant side effects.

Still, people go on and off antidepressants all the time. Antidepressants are an unusual class of drugs because not every drug works for every person. It takes some people several tries before they find a medication that works for them. You may also be choosing to stop your Zoloft dose because you feel stable and ready to live without it.

Abrupt cessation of Zoloft is unlikely to cause typical withdrawal symptoms, such as cravings, however it can trigger antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which can result in seizures, severe depression, or impaired thinking.

Zoloft Statistics

Zoloft has been available in the United States since 1991. In 2017 about 40 million Zoloft prescriptions were written.

According to an August 2017 report by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), almost 13 percent of Americans age 12 and older take antidepressants. Also, antidepressants are the most commonly used prescription drug type for adults between ages 20 and 59 (followed by pain medicines and drugs to lower high cholesterol)

Signs and Symptoms of Zoloft Withdrawal

Zoloft withdrawal is a form of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome. This condition will affect about 20% of people who use an SSRI. Since Zoloft has a short half-life (the length of time a drug stays in the bloodstream before it leaves the body), when someone decides to stop taking Zoloft, its effects quickly wear off. For this reason, if a person suddenly stops taking Zoloft, their serotonin levels will abruptly decline. That’s why health care professionals often wean their patients off the medication by gradually reducing the amount they take until they completely stop, a method sometimes called a “tapering strategy.”

SSRIs, like Zoloft, increase your serotonin levels. But when you abruptly stop taking these drugs, it can be a real shock to the system. As the body adjusts to lower serotonin levels, it is not uncommon to experience withdrawal symptoms.

The brain will adjust to post-Zoloft serotonin levels, but until it does, the body may react adversely to lower amounts of serotonin in the nervous system. The symptoms of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome usually last for one to three weeks. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on how long a person has taken Zoloft. In many cases, people will experience rebound depression or anxiety when they stop taking the medication. The other possible symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal are:

• Chills
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Recurring nightmares and vivid dreams
• Suicidal thoughts
• Tingling sensations in the skin
• Vertigo

If you have a mental illness like depression or bipolar disorder, it is important to stay in contact with a doctor or therapist whenever you adjust your medications. Talking to a therapist can help you cope with challenges such as mood swings, agitation, and feelings of hopelessness.

Warnings

The FDA has issued a “black box warning” for Zoloft. A black box warning is a notification about a dangerous potential effect of a prescription drug. According to the FDA, Zoloft can provoke or aggravate suicidal thoughts in children and young adults. For this reason, the FDA has not approved Zoloft to treat children for depression.

Although Zoloft isn’t typically associated with withdrawal symptoms, like all antidepressants, it does come with a serious FDA warning about its association with suicidal ideation in children, teens, and young adults. Particular caution should be used when altering your dose.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Suicidal feelings are more common among children and young adults age 24 and under, but they can happen to anyone. Seek emergency medical care if you are experiencing:

• Thoughts of harming or killing yourself
• Thoughts about how you would kill yourself
• Severe restlessness or abnormal excitement
• Frenzied behavior
• Acting without thinking
• Extreme worry or agitation
• Panic attacks
• The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is small, but it does happen to some people. Before you stop taking Zoloft, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you decide to stop your dose, a short taper may be the best way to go.

Zoloft Cessation Treatment

The safest way to stop taking antidepressants is to slowly taper down your dose. Zoloft tapering schedules are usually fairly short. Working with your doctor, you can make a schedule to incrementally reduce your dose over the course of one or two weeks.

After your Zoloft taper, any long-term treatment will be directed towards treating the condition that led you to take Zoloft in the first place. If you are struggling with depression, your doctor may want to switch you to an SSRI that you haven’t tried before or suggest other options. It can take several tries before you find the right medication or combination of medications.

Depression is a complex disease that requires a multi-pronged treatment approach. Medication can only do so much on its own. Psychotherapy may be an important part of your recovery from depression.

Scientific research has concluded that a combination of psychotherapy and medication works better for depression and anxiety than medication alone.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a long-term process in which you work to better understand yourself. You will explore the reasons why you do the things you do and feel the way you feel. Together with a qualified therapist, you will learn how to work towards the life you want by reforming the unhealthy patterns standing in your way.

Zoloft cessation should be approached in holistic manner including intensive therapy, behavioral therapies and support that leading rehab centers provide. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, even if you believe the problem is under control, call us right now at 855-706-9275. Our helpline representatives can answer your questions and provide you with tips for immediate treatment options at the appropriate recovery center in your area.