Uses Of Zoloft

With depression and anxiety being one of the major problems facing human beings the world over, it is no wonder numerous drugs have been created for its treatment. One such drug being used successfully is 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. 

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.

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.

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.

I suggest you read all you can on this drug and its effects before visiting your doctor. this way you will be able to ask pertinent questions relating to zoloft and thus be able to determine if its right for you.

Resources

Cures For Depression - One of the many nasty things about depression is that it is an insidious illness that often disguises itself as something else, hiding in physical symptoms from stomachaches and headaches to nearly crippling muscle pain. Fatigue, broken sleep, weight loss and gain and inability to enjoy the pleasures of life are all part of the price many accept for our modern lifestyle. Forgetfulness, inability to concentrate... happens to us all after 30 doesn't it? Isolated?... who has time to socialize? Helpless and hopeless?... you try balancing work and toddlers! Or deciding between them!

Controlling Anxiety - Depending on the nature of the anxiety, a variety of medications may be worth considering, including gabapentin [Neurontin], which is also used adjunctively in bipolar disorder. In short, talking about "anxiety" is like talking about "engine trouble"-it's a problem in search of a diagnosis. It is therefore critical that you speak with your psychiatrist about your anxiety, so that he or she can perform a careful evaluation. Remember: there is no successful treatment without successful diagnosis!

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