Is Zoloft addictive?!
Question: I am hoping to hear from people who have/are using it.
I have been on it for bout 8 months and I'm scared I might be addicted because I get really bad withdrawal symptoms after even just taking my dose a couple hours late. And the worry is making me have nightmares...
My doctor said it was normal to feel so many symptoms when i first started taking it, then they went away for a bit. Now they have come back because I think I'm a bit more stressed over moving house soon...
I want to try and get off it. Otherwise whats to stop me being on it the rest of my life? But I'm scared to go back to depression and mood swings, plus the withdrawal symptoms... I was practically emotionally crippled when my doctor prescribed it to me. And now I don't think I can handle life without it...
Answers: I am hoping to hear from people who have/are using it.
I have been on it for bout 8 months and I'm scared I might be addicted because I get really bad withdrawal symptoms after even just taking my dose a couple hours late. And the worry is making me have nightmares...
My doctor said it was normal to feel so many symptoms when i first started taking it, then they went away for a bit. Now they have come back because I think I'm a bit more stressed over moving house soon...
I want to try and get off it. Otherwise whats to stop me being on it the rest of my life? But I'm scared to go back to depression and mood swings, plus the withdrawal symptoms... I was practically emotionally crippled when my doctor prescribed it to me. And now I don't think I can handle life without it...
Zoloft is not addictive. However, with any medication you take long term, especially those that act in the brain, you will have side effects. I am reminded every time I forget to drink a cup of coffee before 10:00 am. The reason for this is that Zoloft has a fairly sort half life (1/2 life). This is the concept that over a period of time one half of the drug will be removed from your body. Zoloft's half life is about 26 hours. In contrast, Prozac's half life is like 12 days. So what you are having is a good old withdrawal headache. I take Celexa (similar half life to Zoloft) and I get headaches when I miss a dose.
Find time to do exercise, sit and read a book, and have someone to talk to. Antidepressants are wonderful drugs, but you have to change your lifestyle/immediate stressors. The stress/anxiety is the issue. antidepressants are temporary therapies. You should only take the for 6-9 months and then discontinue them. However, you have to make the necessary lifestyle changes to try to prevent depressive episodes again. When you are ready to stop, wean yourself. By dose first, not by frequency. Split pills. Take two halves one day and one half the next.
yes, i am on it
sometimes mental problems go away after a while
dont worry about it
Using it as needed, three months. No add'n yet. To ambien, yes -- can't sleep without it.
Only your personal doctor can give you the best advice on this. You have to trust.
No, it's not addictive.. I've taken zoloft on and off for 4 years.. I've honestly never felt like I was dependent on it... ALSO, if you read the facts of the drug, it says that it is NON HABIT FORMING.. It says that on the information. You know the packet or booklet you get at the drug store.. If you read it, it clearly tells you all you need to know about it, or you can go to your search engine and type in zoloft information or something like that, and it'll give you everything you need to know.
i don't believe it's addictive, as though you CRAVE it and will do anything to get it.
but, you may experience physical withdrawals if you stop suddenly though. i've had electrical jolt feelings that i can't stand, when i've tried to get off them suddenly (i don't do that anymore)
i've been on it for about 5 years and have had the dose adjusted downwards (i was on 200mg) to where i feel comfortable.
i have vivid bizarre dreams while on it, but i have very violent, gory and upsetting nightmares when i'm off it.
if you are getting symptoms returning after having a dose set, go see your doctor and explain it. they may change the dosage or put you onto something else.
my life is a whole lot better on it, so i'm not in any hurry to get off it. i'm just aware of the stigma for people on anti-depressants.