Zoloft- friend or foe to those with depression?
Antidepressants have been controversial ever since their inception. I have personally prescribed hundreds of people these medications over the years and most do quite well. A few were unable to tolerate them due to side effects like fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, etc. The majority of my patients have been helped by these medications which were prescribed during times of need. When the need is gone, the medication is discontinued or weaned off. Patients should be watched closely whenever started on a new medication or when a dose is changed. Also, warnings associated with these meds should be discussed so patients can be aware. As I read the morning news, I came across the article below. I then decided to do a little more research.
Medications in the SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class, have a BLACK BOX WARNING: ANTI DEPRESSANTS, COMPARED TO PLACEBO, INCREASE THE RISK OF SUICIDAL THINKING AND BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN SHORT TERM STUDIES OF MAJOR DEPRESSION AND OTHER PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS…. (SEE WHOLE WARNING). On page 15 of the warning, they warn of symptoms of irritability, hostility and aggressiveness… among others.
MY DISCLAIMER: IF YOU ARE TAKING THIS MEDICATION, PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO YOUR DOSING OR BEFORE DISCONTINUING AS STOPPING ABRUPTLY CAN BE DANGEROUS.
It appears the following “famous” shooters were all on SSRIs. Were they depressed and therefore on SSRIs or were their actions some type of psychotic induced behavior? This is the old chicken and the egg question!
Cho Seung Hui, the Virginia Tech murderer, had been taking anti-depressant medication at some point before the shootings, according to The Chicago Tribune.
Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were apparently on SSRIs.
Jeff Weise, the Red Lake High School killer , “Unabomber” Ted Kaczinski, Michael McDermott, John Hinckley, Jr., Byran Uyesugi, Mark David Chapman and Charles Carl Roberts IV, the Amish school killer, were all on SSRI psychotropic drugs.
In the article below, a 12 year old boy, on Zoloft (Sertraline) was charged with killing his grandparents. His attorneys are using the Zoloft excuse….
By MEG KINNARD,
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case of a teen sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his grandparents when he was 12, arguing that the sentence is cruel.
Christopher Pittman used a shotgun to shoot his grandparents Joe and Joy Pittman, and then set fire to their home in 2001. During his trial four years later, Pittman’s attorneys unsuccessfully argued the slayings were influenced by the antidepressant Zoloft — a charge the maker of the drug vigorously denied… see more of the story.
