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Zoloft and Adult suicidality

I have been on zoloft for a little over a month now. I have noticed considerable change in my attitude and my thinking. Also feeling better about myself. I started off taking 50mg of zoloft for 1 week and then the doc had me move up to 100mg after that week. So i have been taking 100mg for almost a month now. My question is: Can zoloft cause suicidal thoughts in adults older than 25? Just wondering because earlier this week, October 8th, i started having suicidal thoughts. I have been fine with everything up to this point. Nothing triggered it, they started happening. I know that i will call my doctor immediately and let her know, but i wanted some other feedback as well. Thank you
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Avatar universal
You should see your doctor and change this drug.
I have taken this medicine before. It didn't help me.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Good point, agree.  When we are having a medication issue, it's best to see the doctor to adjust it or change it.  
Avatar universal
Zoloft is known to cause suicidal thoughts no previously considered by a person. These thoughts can be sudden and disturbing being of a violent nature. A person needs to be slowly weened off this drug as, contrary to what the drug companies say, it is addicting. These thoughts may persist after the drug is no longer taken. Some doctors may wisely prescribe a mood stabilizer.
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1 Comments
It's not actually considered an addictive drug, because it doesn't meet all the criteria for that, and that has nothing to do with the drug companies.  Any drug that affects brain neurotransmitters can be very hard to stop taking, however, and that does have a lot to do with them.  I'm not sure what you mean by a mood stabilizer.  Zoloft is a mood stabilizer.  Mood stabilizers affect brain neurotransmitters, meaning all of them also can cause suicidal thoughts in some people and are equally hard to stop taking for the same reasons Zoloft is.  The general way to deal with this is a slow taper off the med suited to the person, not some generalization of a person as if we all react the same.  The cure to a drug causing suicidal thoughts is to stop taking the drug.  As this side effect starts quickly upon starting a med, quitting the med at that point is much easier to do.  The only other solution is to wait it out and hope that side effect stops, but that is obviously a danger.  My main point is, a drug doesn't have to be addictive to be really really hard on folks.  Sometimes it's easier to stop taking addictive drugs than ones that are not.  
Avatar universal
Thank you so much!! You have no idea how much this has helped. I really want to tell my BF, it's just that i feel he would fly off the handle and throw it in my face. We have a little girl together. I have to stay strong for her. If i were to tell him, he would just simple to tell me to stop thinking about it or he would perhaps take my daughter away from me. I'm just really, really scared. I haven't gave things away, or anything like that. I just have these thoughts. About 2 days ago i was searching in the med cabinet looking for anything that i could take to just make me go away. I have thought of what to say in a note. I have thought of making a separate one for my parents so they are able to see my daughter if something happens. Thank you again
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
That's perplexing....if you don't have any clear signs of BPD, I'm not sure how that's coming into play.  SSRIs CAN cause  BPD-like symptoms, but this sounds completely different, IMO.

SSRIs, like Zoloft, CAN cause or increase suicidal thoughts and tendencies.  I understand you're in a tough spot, because otherwise, it sounds as though it's working for you.

Can you maybe seek a second opinion from another psych?  There ARE things they could try (the addition of another med) to see if this side effect will improve.  It also could be something that is going to resolve, as many side effects do.  A lot of this depends on your comfort level too, I mean, if you're just having fleeting thoughts here and there, that's totally different from constant thoughts of suicide, and a plan.

I also encourage you to tell your BF.  I know it's hard, but he would want to know...plus you need people to turn to, and people who can sort of keep their eye on you, you know?  Please tell him what's going on.

You're not having suicidal intentions do you?  Where you're actually formulating a plan?  You're not acting on these thoughts, by giving personal items away, putting closure to situations, etc, are you?  If so, those are signs not to be ignored.  I know you're in a tough tough spot.  Please just don't take it lightly...keep working with your doc, find a new doc for a fresh perspective, something.  

Sounds like you've got a pretty good head on your shoulders, where you recognize the difference between actual suicidal intentions, and increased thoughts as a result of a side effect.  I think you are very in-tune with yourself, which is great.  If at any time, this all becomes too much, or you just get confused as to what's going on in your noggin, reach out ASAP for help.

Please keep us abreast of what's going on, okay?  You're in my thoughts, hope you get something figured out soon.
Helpful - 0
2996663 tn?1374169076
Its possible, but the only way to really find out is to ask the doctor. And the only way they would make you spend time in a psych unit is if you are a serious high risk to yourself. Do you feel your at high risk? If not, I wouldnt worry to much about being put in a psych unit. Treatment places are not ALL that bad I spent almost 5 months in one. If you do feel of high risk, like your on the brink of it, youve come up with a plan and feel like your actually going to carry out with it, then you need contact somebody right away, 911, or go to the emergency room. I had to go there twice before they sent me away, they just draw your blood, take a urinary analysis and have you talk to a C.R.T worker(crisis response team) and then go from there so dont be afraid to go to the hospital either
Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is it possible that something else is occurring? My psych told me that with zoloft, there is a chance that it can cause bipolar to show up if you don't know that you have it. I have looked bipolar up many times and the signs/symptoms aren't what i see in myself. It's just getting frustrating because i thought the zoloft was working well until this whole suicide thing came up. I'm afraid to tell too many people, especially my boyfriend. That's why i have been reluctant. I want the help, but i can't afford to spend a day or two in the psych unit if it comes to that.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Yes, it's possible, but it's more typical for something like that to occur in younder adults and teens.

You're absolutely right that you need to contact your doctor, and it goes without saying that if you at any time are feeling unsure if you may be in danger, ask for help immediately.

Let us know how it's going.
Helpful - 0
2996663 tn?1374169076
I have seen something about it causing suicidal thoughts in some people. So its possible! But glad your going to ask the doctor about it. I dont think its supose to last a long time though. Maybe you just need a lower dose.
Helpful - 0
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