Does anybody here use Zoloft for their panic disorder? If so do you get agitation as a side effect? I've had it since first starting the zoloft and it keeps getting worse. It seems to come and go every other month. (goes away and then comes back again)

I've told the doctor numerous times and he tells me that it's normal because I'm a teenager. Well, whether it's normal or not, I want to get rid of this side effect in some way, shape, or form. I've gone to therapy for 9mo for it, read several self help books, and even told 2 doctors and several close friends about it and nothing seems to help it.

Also, I've spoken with my mom about it and she even told the dr too and still the doc does nothing. I've seen several doctors for it and no help...

What can I do? :(

Does anybody here use Zoloft for their panic disorder? If so do you get agitation as a side effect? Also, I've spoken with my mom about it and she even told the dr too and still the doc does nothing. I've seen several doctors for it and no help...What can I do? :(
netsavy,

I take zoloft mainly for depression although I also have anxiety. If I take more than 50 mg (which I take at bedtime because it helps me sleep) I have an increase in anxiety. I also take xanax for anxiety. Usually one also at night, also helps me sleep and quiets my hyperactive mind.

I have tried a LOT of antidepressants in the last 15 years. Effexor, paxil,can't remember them all at this moment. All of them increased my anxiety. I take a xanax if I get stressed, I work afternoons and evenings, and if things get overwhelming, I take another .5 xanax. If I am not "wired" when I take the xanax I get too sleepy.

Have you been diagnosed with ADHD? What type are you (intentive, hyperactive)? Why hasn't the Dr. tried a stimulant? SolarLife has found adderall relieves his anxiety. If you are ADHD, stims will actually slow you down by speeding up your brain and making it more efficient. So your brain is not using adrenaline response to speed itself up.

Has your Dr. read Dr. Hallowell's books "Driven to Distracton" or "Delivered from Distraction?" Anxiety is a fairly common symptom of ADHD. I find it gets worse as I get older so it would be good if you could get a handle on it as a teenager.

Buy one of those books. Read it and take it to your next Dr. appt. Ask him/her to read it if they haven't. It seems the vast majority of people don't understand the first thing about ADHD. Except what they hear on the news (i.e. Tom Cruise).

Good luck! PJ

Oops now I see your diagnosis. (Sorry, I don't know much about Rx for Aspergers!)

I have read delivered from distraction. It's a very good info/help book...

Does anybody have any idea what may be causing the agitation (I think the Zoloft) and how to manage it?

I'm not sure what causes your anxiety, but I can tell you about mine and maybe you can gain some ideas about anxiety.

I have ADHD combined type and anxiety NOS. While I don't have full-blown OCD, I do have one obsessive-compulsive pair involving checking. My first cousin was autistic, and I have a parent and an offspring with bipolar disorder, so both of those disorders are genetic factors for me.

Sometimes, unexpected changes in plans can cause my anxiety to escalate. Also, changes in my medication can exacerbate my anxiety such that I end up with a "rollercoaster effect" wherin my anxiety comes and goes over time if I do not keep the levels of medications in my blood steady. This means I have to be careful to take my meds every day to avoid the "rollercoaster" effect.

I have difficulty with sensory overload. I overload if I am in a sitution that is noisy or visually complex for very long.

If I have too much overload going on I develop a lot of anxiety (which can make it worse) and I can eventually get into an agitated state.

The sensory issues I can mitigate by managing my sensory load. I have to make sure that I find ways to relax and relieve built up stress and anxiety. I also need to identify and avoid environments and situation which can increase my overload. If I can not avoid an overwhelming situation, I try to limit the amount of time that I am exposed to it.

All of this means that I have to stay aware of my sensory issues and manage my sensory load as best I can. It works well, but there are still problems from time to time.

For my OCD component I find that staying self-aware
helps me to avoid getting caught in a repetetive ritual. This is why I am not oficially diagnosed with OCD... because I seem to be able to mitigate the compulsion if I am aware that I am doing it.

So, I have to stay aware of my condition and what I am doing at all times. Of course, it is not humanly possible to be 100% self aware at all times, so there are still problems from time to time.

For extreme overload situations I have a rescue medicatoin that I take as needed (risperdal), If I am excessively overloaded it helps me to tolerate it better and my anxiety is a lot less. I also take it in advance when I knopw that I am going to be in a situation that I know may overload me (like going to the shopping mall). It helps a lot.

The key to all of this, in my opinion, is to educate yourself and to stay self aware so that you can manage your condition. For me, it has not been perfect, but is a lot better than it was.

I hope that you found this useful

Me :D

Zoloft agitated me greatly-I was tense and shaky all the time. Off it, it all stopped. This is my experience. I also have fibromyalgia-and Zoloft and the tension made the pain so much worse. The worst? No doctor took my complaints seriously.

BTW-when not depressed SSRI's do nothing for me-except the tension and tight sore muscles. I also got serotonin syndrome from taking any SSRI with Trazodone-most horrid and potentially fatal! My experience.

I've been having this problem for a long time. I've recently added risperdal to the mix for treating my Anxiety and agitation from the zoloft. I'm going to the doctor 1/29. I'm wanting to tell her that I don't want to take lunesta anymore as it no longer works and to go down to 50mg zoloft since I never needed the 100mg dose to begin with. Does anybody know if zoloft helps fidgettyness? Zoloft's site doesn't answer this question.

Zoloft is a SSRI class antidepressent, I don't imagine it is prescribed for stopping a person from fidgeting.

Well that's why the doctor increased the dosage. I was a bit sceptical about it. I didn't think it would help. The agitation has been getting worse and worse over time and I don't know if it's related to the zoloft or the BPI dx. I'm going to the doctor to hopfully str8ten it all out...

The risperdal I am finding is having a good effect on the agitation w/o 'flattening' my moods. Since I only take risperdal once a day I'm wondering if taking the newer paliperidone extended release tablets would make a difference since paliperidone is OROS delivery risperidone (risperdal)...

What type of drugs could work to decrease fidgetting?Zoloft is a SSRI class antidepressent, I don't imagine it is prescribed for stopping a person from fidgeting.