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Zoloft
Zoloft is the most
common brand name for the chemical Sertaline, a drug classed as a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Other SSRIs
include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Citalopram (Celexa), Fluvoxamine (Luvox),
Paroxetine (Paxil), and Escitalopram (Lexapro). Zoloft is
produced today by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and is also
marketed under the brand names Lustral, Apo-Sertal, Gladem, Serlift,
Asentra, Xydep, Serlain and Stimuloton, depending on where in the world
it is sold.
Similar to the other SSRIs, Zoloft acts by boosting the amount of
serotonin present in the synapses between nerve cells.
Because serotonin is a mood enhancing neurotransmitter, the main use
for Zoloft is as a part of therapy for depression. Many
SSRIs, including Zoloft, have been shown effective in treating forms of
anxiety disorders as well. Just like the other SSRIs, Zoloft
does not add any serotonin or mood altering chemicals to your body, but
rather helps your body to better use its own natural mood stabilizing
machinery.
The most common side effects of Zoloft include insomnia, asthenia,
tremors, confusion, reduced libido, sexual dysfunction, constipation,
diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, sweating, and nausea. Most
users of Zoloft will experience one or more of these effects during the
first months of use, but with time they often fade. More
rarely, users of Zoloft may experience weight lose, mania, or
hypomania.
Depression and anxiety are the two most common forms of mental
illnesses. Unfortunately, like most mental illness, these
disorders often have a certain amount of social stigma attached to
them. For this reason many people suffering from these
conditions are unwilling to seek treatment, and often develop harmful
self-medicating habits. When considering whether or not to
seek treatment for depression or anxiety, it is important to understand
that these disorders are an issue of brain chemistry, and are very hard
to overcome without help. After consulting with a physician,
you may or may not determine that and SSRI like Zoloft is right for
you, but without any therapy or treatment these disorders generally get
worse.
Today, there are a wide variety of treatments available for both
depression and anxiety. Zoloft and other SSRIs are one
approach to treatment, but should not be considered
‘cures’ for depression or anxiety.
Rather, they should be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy
and treatment to maximize the positive effects in combating the
disorders. Healthy diet, frequent exercise, counseling,
support groups, talk therapy, expressive arts, meditation, and prayer
are all effective measures in treating both depression and anxiety, and
together with the use of an SSRI like Zoloft, the chances for recovery
from these conditions is very good.
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A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
