A Parents Guide to Zoloft for Teens

Zoloft proves to be a vital drug for helping many people who struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and more, but is it right for teenagers? Parents who have children who struggle with mental illnesses want to stay on top of what’s going on and understand any medications their child might take. This includes understanding if there are Zoloft side effects in teenagers. Hillcrest offers residential and partial hospitalization programs to help teens who deal with mental illnesses. We include options for medications that help ease their symptoms, including Zoloft. 

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What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is a prescription drug that is part of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family. It is the brand name for the generic drug Sertraline.  

Zoloft is prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It increases the levels of serotonin in the brain to help the individual taking it to feel less anxious and more at peace.

How Long Does Zoloft Take to Take Effect?

Besides wondering about the Zoloft side effects in teenagers, parents also want to know how long it takes for the medication to take effect. A few factors influence when a person feels the beginning and the full effects of using Zoloft, including the person’s brain chemistry, the severity of their symptoms, and the dosage they take. The majority of those using Zoloft begin to feel an improvement in their symptoms within one or two weeks. However, it can take up to eight weeks to feel the full effects of the drug.

Does Zoloft Cause Any Side Effects?

Any prescription drug can cause side effects, depending on the individual taking it, the dosage, the frequency they take it, and the severity of their symptoms. Possible Zoloft side effects in teenagers can include:

• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Shakiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation 
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings

The individual should make sure their parents and prescribing clinician knows about any side effects they have. Many side effects are mild and often temporary. 

Is Zoloft Safe for Teenagers to Take?

Zoloft is an FDA-approved prescription medication that is safe for teenagers to take. The prescribing clinician will do a thorough assessment of the teen to decide if Zoloft is the right approach, and ask them to keep track of any changes in their emotions, thoughts, or behaviors related to the usage of the medication.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Zoloft?

No one should quit taking Zoloft without speaking to their physician or other provider first. Zoloft side effects in teenagers can happen as a result of going off the medication too soon, such as quitting cold turkey. It’s important to speak with the prescriber so a plan can be made for gradually tapering off the drug. 

Is Zoloft Addictive?

Zoloft is not an addictive drug in terms of the traditional definition of addiction. For example, it doesn’t have a risk of becoming physically addicted to it. This is one of the benefits of using the drug. Zoloft does not cause a person to get high, but rather assists in evening out a person’s emotions and thoughts. If they misuse the drug, such as taking it without a prescription or using the wrong dosage, it can cause them to feel an emotional dependence on the drug. However, that is much easier to overcome than a physical addiction

Tips for Parents Who Want to Support Their Teenagers Who Have a Mental Health Disorder

Any time a child begins taking medication to help improve their mental health, their parents will want to stay involved in the conversation and understand the efficacy of the drug. Parents can offer support to their teens by letting them know they are always available to talk about anything. The teenager should understand they can report any side effects and how the drug affects them overall to their parents. 

Because parents are typically included in the conversation about their child’s mental illness treatment, it can prove helpful for moms and dads to keep track of their child’s moods and emotional ups and downs when they use Zoloft. Parents can offer to monitor their child’s usage of Zoloft to make sure they don’t miss a dosage, although some kids may find that intrusive and prefer to be trusted to take their medications. 

Begin Treatment for Teenagers with Mental Health Disorders at Hillcrest

Do you have a teenager who has a mental illness, and you want to find the best treatment available? Hillcrest provides highly-focused and comprehensive treatment plans for teenagers who need residential or outpatient care to help them ease their symptoms and gain a real sense of control over their mental health. Our staff provides compassionate care that speaks to the age group we treat to help them feel validated and comfortable opening up in their therapy sessions. We also review options for prescription medications to help determine what options work best for each individual. 

Contact us today to find out more about our programs for teens. Let us show you how to help your child reach their full potential and set themselves up for a less anxious and more productive adulthood.