I was just wondering about taking Zoloft for ADD because my dad is taking Zoloft right now and it helps him out a great deal. I hope someone who is taking Zoloft right now can give me some info on how it helps them with their ADD.

Hi Colorfast!

Welcome to the ADD Forums

I think opinions on the SSRIs effectiveness on helping ADD (ADHD) are mixed.

It would depend which core ADHD/ADD symptoms he has the most problems with.

Every ADDer has different core symptoms which present problems in a different way for them.

Most people think of ADD as being hyper and bad little boys.

Many of us have never has -=that=- presentation of ADD, and our diagnosis was missed as kids. (eg. those kids get identified FAST.)

Many Adult ADDers deal with:
-inattention,
-distractions,
-inability to complete projects (eg we all know these folks),
-under-acheivement for the person's IQ,
-hard time reading or completing boring things (like Manuals),
-sometimes, the strange ability to hyperfocus on things that REALLY interest us,
-problems at work (mistakes, disorganization),
- short-term memory problems (ADD affects "Working Memory"), -irritability/sadness (depression),
-anxiety, etc.
-impatient waiting in lines
-forgetting/misplacing things
-inability to complete multi-step instructions (due to memory probs)
-interrupting; hyper-speech; talking/telling too much
-impulse problems (running red lights; stealing; over-eating; turning to alcohol/drugs to releive discomfort; problems delaying gratification).

NB. People with ADHD have some, but not likely all, of these Symptoms. Like i said, everyone is different. (There may be many sub-types of ADHD, undiscovered.)


Also: New research is uncovering the link between ADD and Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders.

[re: sleep disorders. Some ADDers have RLS ("restless legs") or "sleep apnea", or other sleep problems.]

Usually, People do not KNOW that they do these things in their sleep; that these things are constantly breaking up their sleep architecture... to fragment their night's sleep. They just get residual sleepiness, as they are literally 'sleep deprived'.

If your Dad [or other ADD you know] gets sleepy during the daytime (afternoon usually), he may have a sleep disorder.]

My fiance has ADD, and I have ADD. She suffers from panic attacks as well. The difference between she and I? Her ADD is more manageable. I never thought that it might be helping her ADD but it makes sense, she's achieving decent marks in school, where as I'm going to fail this semester with nearly straight F's.

I think it might very well be helping her out, I never thought of this before.

I forgot to mention she's on Zoloft.
My fiance has ADD, and I have ADD. She suffers from panic attacks as well. The difference between she and I? Her ADD is more manageable. I never thought that it might be helping her ADD but it makes sense, she's achieving decent marks in school, where as I'm going to fail this semester with nearly straight F's.

I think it might very well be helping her out, I never thought of this before.

Zoloft made me angry, depressed, and lose all desire for sex. It didn't help with the ADD, either.

I think opinions on the SSRIs effectiveness on helping ADD (ADHD) are mixed. Not really.

While some ADHDers are helped by Wellbutrin, it affects all three of the major neurotransmitters. Some may also benefit from Effexor because it has a small effect on norepinephrine.

That said, SSRI's are great for depression and many other disorders that may be comorbid with AD/HD (like anxiety or depression).



Also: New research is uncovering the link between ADD and Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders.
If you've got a source for this, please cite it. Otherwise this is complete speculation.

I have never seen research supporting this idea.



[re: sleep disorders. Some ADDers have RLS ("restless legs") or "sleep apnea", or other sleep problems.]

First, RLS is not a sleep disorder. It is a dopamine-related motor problem that just happens to occur mostly at night because at night is when most people are the least active. The most clear, parsimoneous, and even obvious connection between ADD and RLS is dopamine.

Sleep apnea, and many other sleep problems, are common among human beings in general. There is nothing that would indicate that sleep disorders are correlated with ADD.

That said, ADD does have sleep-related symptoms.



If your Dad [or other ADD you know] gets sleepy during the daytime (afternoon usually), he may have a sleep disorder.] Unless one's doctor is incompetent, they will consider the possibility of sleep disorders when considering a diagnosis. In general, the disorder that far surpasses others in it's relative likelihood is the best diagnosis. My advice: trust your doctor and don't take your father's medicine.

Welcome to the forums Colorfast21.

I hate to break in with yet another opinion......ya did want multiple opinions!

Hi barb haven't seen ya in a while!

Misses ya been too calm!

I was just wondering about taking Zoloft for ADD because my dad is taking Zoloft right now and it helps him out a great deal

Have you been diagnosis with ADD by a health care professional.

Although I agree with most of what Barb said above I would like to approach your question from another angle!

The symptoms of ADD can over lap with symptoms of several other disorders...

inattentive can be a symptom of ADD

But.............

It can be a symptom of
depression
PTSD
Insomnia
hypothyroidism
anxiety
hearing difficulties
inner ear infections
learning disabilities
bipolar

Hyperactivity can be another symptom of ADD

but..........once again

It can also be a symptom of

Hyperthyroidism
manic phase of bipolar
anxiety
PTSD
sensory issues
being high on speed....

I only mentioned two symptoms of ADD and the list of over lapping disorders is only partial!

Okay this is why it is of utmost importance to seek advise from a qualified health care professional who at least knows what you look like!

My sister takes a hormone provera for " female regulation"........provera produced by my own body causes brain swelling if I were to take her prescription to regulate my own "cycle" then I would be harming myself because what works for my sister wonderfully would spell disaster for me as we are all different! Please do your self a favor don't be your own doctor doctors usually go to other doctors because there is a saying

"MD who diagnosis self has a fool for a doctor"...........this I heard from a doctor!


By the way I have taken all the classes of antidepressants available and they have done absolutely nothing for my ADHD!

I was just wondering about taking Zoloft for ADD because my dad is taking Zoloft right now and it helps him out a great deal. I hope someone who is taking Zoloft right now can give me some info on how it helps them with their ADD.

I was at one time taking it for depression and it only helped the depression

I took Zoloft for a few months after a friend mis-diagnosed me and hooked me up with a free perscription. I was a bit more happy-go-lucky but it took the edge out of life for me. I didn't feel like it helped my core issues. Haven't tried any med's since.

FYI, the libido side-effects of SSRI aren't pleasant. Talk about taking the spice out of life.