Posted by alan on January 22, 1999, at 0:10:49
In reply to Zoloft Concerns, posted by tj on January 20, 1999, at 11:37:01
> My best friend has started taking Zoloft and I am a little worried about her. First of all, she is only 18; is this too young to start taking the drug? She has only been on it for a few monthes, but she has recently started requesting an increase in the dosage... do people normally do that so soon?
> Some of her reactions include extreme apathy, slight paranioa (in that she thinks no one likes her) and a lack of interest in the things she used to enjoy. Are these normal reactions or should she be taken off the drug and put on a different drug or taken off all drugs completely? She has stopped opening up to me recently and I think it may be because she mistrusts me as well. One more thing, what effect does alcohol have on Zoloft? I know she has continued drinking while on the drug, so that could possibly be affecting its potency. If anyone has any answers to my questions or suggestions for how I can help her, please respond.
> Thanks,
> tj
She is not too young for Zoloft.
Zoloft is usually prescribed to treat the sympttoms you mentioned; so they probably are not a reaction to the drug. Their continued presence may indicate that she needs an addition to the Zoloft, or a higher dosage, or a different medication, or.... Certainly, she should see her doc. If you were worried about her wanting a higherr dosage because you thought it might indicate a growing addiction, don't worry; Zoloft is not a fun drug like cocaine, etc.. Alcohol is always a bad idea during a depression because it deepens depression after the high wears off. I don't know if there are any specific interactions between alc and Zoloft. If needed, try to get her to see her doc and not to drink. But don't TELL her to; the moment anyone tells us to do something we have a good reason not to do it: to protect our sense of self direction. If I could say more about how to go about it, I'd try becoming a salesman or a clinical psychologist. Good luck.
poster:alan
thread:2555
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990101/msgs/2573.html