Kids downing Zoloft for ADHD? Are you kidding me?

In my former psychotherapy practice, we used to prescribe Zoloft for adults with fairly dangerous emotional problems. And now we are giving this stuff to young kids & adolescents.

When you are finished reading this article, you will better understand why Zoloft may not be the greatest alternative for treating ADHD.

Ok, I'll admit, though it's not a usually approved therapy for ADHD, Zoloft has been known to help in lessening of symptoms of ADHD in some people. Zoloft for ADHD is often offered in addition to stimulants including Ritalin and Adderall.

The grounds for why Zoloft and stimulants are offered in combination is because many people who suffer from ADHD also have problems with other disturbances such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, nervousness and others. Zoloft may also be helpful in treating the hyper-focused case of ADHD versus the inattentive type.

The main difficulty with prescribing Zoloft for ADHD treatment is its dangerous side effects when downed unaccompanied and in interaction with other drugs.

Possible side effects of Zoloft include anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, hostility, problems sleeping, impulse problems, and mania.

In addition to psychiatric side effects, Zoloft can also cause physical symptoms such as muscle tremors, flu-like symptoms, problems with speech, extreme skin rash, jaundice, heart palpitations, and blurred vision.

Consuming Zoloft for ADHD treatment poses the most dangers when used in additionally with other drugs. For example, taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOs) even two weeks before taking Zoloft can be fatal.

Serious side effects can also happen if a patient switches from Zoloft to another serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug.

One of the more hororfying aspects of children and adolescents using Zoloft and ADHD treatments is the aggression, homicidal behavior and suicidal thoughts that may follow. This has led to plenty of lawsuits against Pfizer, the company that makes Zoloft.

There have been numerous items in the news programs about adults and children who have committed or attempted to commit homicide after taking SSRI drugs like Zoloft.

(In fact, the two teenagers who shot down their fellow students and then themselves during the Columbine shooting were taking SSRI drugs.)

Finally, like most very strong prescription medication, studies which help determine danger are all short-term. There are no studies on the effects of Zoloft on ADHD when used for a 5 - 10 years or more. Such studies are too long lasting and expensive.

And, yet, understanding what we now know about how the seeds of many adult disorders are deeply-rooted in childhood, do you doubt that using very powerful ADHD prescription drugs can very possibly lead to grievous disturbances in adulthood? I don't.

So don't go tossing the stimulants & Zoloft out of the window. Using natural alternatives for ADHD requires preparation and qualified medical professional help.

But do look into alternative, safer treatments to powerful medications.