ZOLOFT MAKES SUICIDE SEEM EASY

Ive been on Zoloft for 4 weeks now and I seem less depressed on most days. I have good and bad days , but SUICIDE seems like it could come easy to me while on zoloft. I feel like I could be in a good mood and still do it. Anyone have anything to say?

Yea, get off it..
Zoloft is a cheap alternate.. = $#%^.
They have a tendency to make things worse, rather than better..

Zoloft, Serzone and Effexor are three AD meds I took in the past which ALL led to visits to the psych ward for suicide attempts after between a month or two of taking them. There is a strong argument that these meds might actually intensify depression in people with bipolar. You should definitely TELL your doctor about these feelings. Don't quit them cold turkey, but be more aware of the possibility of destructive behavior while on them, until you see your doc.
n.

4 weeks isn't that long to be on Zoloft, you are likely still have side effects, i'd talk to your doctor though if you are feeling suicidal.


I'm currently on Effexor and have had great sucess with it so far.. Zoloft as well in the past.

I found that certain anti-depressants induced a state where at first I might feel good, have more energy, but there was an extremely fine line between this and becoming excessively irritable, angry and downright aggressive (totally out of my nature). When I passed this line, I felt far more compulsive/impulsive and did not care about negative consequences. This was the first time the possibility of suicide really began to scare me, because I was afraid in this state that the quick change in mood to this (for me) unusual state of mind, was very frightening and I knew I was far more prone to do something very impulsive without thinking of the consequences (I had several very real examples of this). No matter how terrible I may have felt in the depressed state, I was more likely to recognize my feelings and get help if things were very bad - whereas this "alternative" state sent me so far off the deep-end that I was really afraid of what I might impulsively do. My anger, hatred and frustration were so high I literally didn't care what I did - anything to dispel these feelings was an option (mostly I resorted to breaking a lot of stuff and getting irrationally mad at people, but the thought of suicide phased me far less in this state and scared me less - making it a more viable option - than when I was simply depressed).

BTW, I only took Zoloft for three days (12.5 mg/day - a MINUTE dose) and they wanted to hospitalize me because of its negative effects on me. I'm very sensitive to meds, though. Just remember what works for others may not work for you and vice versa. Unfortunately, it's still very much trial and error, as a good psychiatrist will admit!

I'm all for checking in w/ your doctor if you're not feeling better. I know my husband's meds have to be checked at least once a month.

I was personally on Zoloft for 2 yrs & coming off was horrible. I'm not sure why your doc put you on it, but perhaps another alternative would be good.

Even though you've only been on Zoloft for 4 wks, I would recommend talking w/ your doc anyway. If you're feeling like you might commit suicide on this stuff, the best thing is to get a qualified opinion & find something new.

PW

I just have to add that people HAVE commited suicide on these medications (Zoloft and others). There is plenty of documentation of this - many who never had any suicidal tendencies prior to taking the medication. Not trying to scare anyone, just search on the internet and you will find plenty of evidence of this. Obviously this is not the case for everyone, but you may notice that some of these meds now include warnings about the risk of suicide possibly associated with these meds. Usually it warns specifically for children, but there is plenty of evidence that others have commited suicide, very unexpectedly, after beginning these meds. SSRIs tend to be the most suspect.

From the FDA's own website, JUNE 2005 (i.e. they're just figuring this out!!!):

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/SSRI200507.htm

"FDA Public Health Advisory
Suicidality in Adults Being Treated with Antidepressant Medications

Several recent scientific publications suggest the possibility of an increased risk for suicidal behavior in adults who are being treated with antidepressant medications. Even before these reports became available, the FDA began a complete review of all available data to determine whether there is an increased risk of suicidality (suicidal thinking or behavior) in adults being treated with antidepressant medications. It is expected that this review will take a year or longer to complete. In the meantime, FDA is highlighting that:

Adults being treated with antidepressant medications, particularly those being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior. Close watching may be especially important early in treatment, or when the dose is changed, either increased or decreased.

Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressant drugs, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should be evaluated by their health care professional."

THERE IS FAR MORE INFORMATION on this topic if you just look for it. I just want people to aware of potential risks. It may only be a small percentage of the population that has this reaction to anti-depressants, but until you know how you will respond to medication, you should at least be aware of potential dangers so you can watch for any negative signs.