How to Treat Depression With Zoloft
Zoloft (sertraline) is the most prescribed antidepressant in the United States, possibly because it is extremely effective in treating a wide variety of mood disorders. Also, its effects are more tolerated by a wider segment of the population. By consulting with your mental-health professional, you can decide whether you want to treat your depression with Zoloft.
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Instructions
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Treat Depression With Zoloft
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Determine whether you are experiencing symptoms typical of a major-depressive disorder, such as clinical depression. These symptoms may include periods of sadness that extend beyond 2 weeks, weight loss or gain, irregular-sleeping patterns and thoughts of despair or suicide.
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Be aware of the side effects of using Zoloft to treat depression, which are fairly typical of selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRI) depressants. They include bruxism (grinding teeth during sleep), nausea, insomnia, body-weight fluctuations, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, headaches and sexual dysfunction.
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Visit your health-care professional, such as a physician or psychiatrist, to be diagnosed with a major-depressive disorder and to determine whether Zoloft is your best option to treat your condition. Antidepressants, such as Zoloft, are best used as part of a program including psychotherapy and behavior modification, since medication alone may serve to only mask the symptoms of depression, failing to address the real causes.
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Decide upon an appropriate daily dosage of Zoloft to treat your depression. Tablets are available in 25 mg. (green), 50 mg. (blue) and 100-mg. doses (yellow). A 50-mg. daily dose of Zoloft is usually considered the minimum amount needed to treat a major-depressive disorder.
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Use caution when discontinuing Zoloft or any other type of SSRI antidepressant because of the withdrawal symptoms that may appear. SSRI-discontinuation syndrome may cause increased feelings of depression for up to 1 week after you stop taking Zoloft. Only change, reduce or stop your daily dose of Zoloft under the strict supervision of your doctor.
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Tips & Warnings
Zoloft is also used to treat personality disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is also an effective way to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and various types of phobias.
Zoloft is not recommended for use by individuals under the age of 18, since it can increase suicidal feelings in a significant percentage of children and adolescents. It is occasionally prescribed to children who experience obsessive-compulsive disorders, however.
