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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jtc on June 8, 2003, at 22:31:12
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has a child who is taking Zoloft. My daughter has just turned 9 and has tried Effexor XR and Adderall. Her pediatrician says that she has extreme anxiety and some mild depression. But her school teachers say that she is unable to concentrate and finish tasks. I took her to a psychologist and had her evaluated and he did not think she has ADHD. He said she is a very bright child and just has a mind that is always ruminating about things and that is why she is unable to concentrate. We have been seeing him off and on for about a year now. He referred us to a psychiatrist and she gave my child Effexor. This seemed to help her for the short time she was on it. But I did not feel comfortable with her being on it as I was on it also and I know what kind of side effects and withdrawal symptoms you have when trying to discontinue it. And even though a lot of kids are taking it, it has not been approved for use in children. It also made her a little too aggressive with her four year old sister. Anyway she is off of Effexor now. Her concentration became a serious problem toward the last month of school so the psychiatrist had her try Adderall along with the Effexor. To make a long story short, her pediatrician who has been our doctor since my daughter was born is not comfortable with Effexor, so she has suggested trying Zoloft. She told me she has a lot of kids on Zoloft and she thinks it would help my child. She also does not think my child has enough ADD to medicate. She thinks her main problem is anxiety. I also think this is the problem because my child always worrying about something for example she is afraid she is going to throw up if she has a stomach ache, which is about every 5 minutes. She is also afraid that something bad is going to happen to her. She is overly concerned about her health. She asked me that if she goes in the swimming pool will the chlorine get into her brain. There are so many little things like this that she is concerned about. This has been going for about 2 years now. My husband just pushes it all under the rug to deal with later however he is starting to see how it is affecting our daughter. I just don't know what to do. Now that school is out for the summer I am trying to see how she does without any medication. We are also seeing the psychologist who tested her for ADHD. I think seeing him will help her but I wonder if we should give the Zoloft a try because her constant worrying is a real problem and it is affecting her daily life and well being. She is a very bright girl. She will be in fourth grade and is reading on a seventh grade level. I just hate to see her this upset and unhappy. Please help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. jtc
Posted by McPac on June 8, 2003, at 22:55:33
In reply to Zoloft, posted by jtc on June 8, 2003, at 22:31:12
From the information that you've given, she sounds like she could have OCD more than anything.
Zoloft would be appropriate for that. Zoloft is used for ocd, anxiety and depression, so if she were to be prescribed anything, Zoloft would be appropriate.
Posted by Paulie on June 8, 2003, at 23:52:22
In reply to Zoloft, posted by jtc on June 8, 2003, at 22:31:12
Sorry to hear about your problem. Could her attention problems be that she is just bored and uninterested with what was being taught on 3rd grade level? She may need a higher level of mental stimulation. That is why some schools have accelerated programs for bright children.
Paul
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 9, 2003, at 3:36:37
In reply to Zoloft, posted by jtc on June 8, 2003, at 22:31:12
wow, your little girl sounds so sweet and smart. i bet she likes to read a lot.
i also think that she sounds like she has anxiety or ocd, not necessarily add. if she's been on a stimulant, that can make her focus even more on what's worrying her.
i'm not sure if kids need meds as much as they need help working on dealing with uncertainty in the world. smart kids in particular are more likely to notice risks. is this health-related anxiety coming out in light of health concerns in the family?
if you feel like your daughter could use an ssri, i would not suggest zoloft. it obliterated my attention span, and many other users complain of the same.
you might try discontinuing the stimulant meds and see if that reduces the anxiety, then try something like prozac that's not as associated with attentional problems if she still needs it.
Posted by McPac on June 9, 2003, at 11:54:31
In reply to Zoloft, posted by jtc on June 8, 2003, at 22:31:12
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has a child who is taking Zoloft.
>>>>>>My niece is on it (started it last year at age 11/12; works great for her anxiety; no side effects for her)
My daughter has just turned 9 and has tried Effexor XR and Adderall. Her pediatrician says that she has extreme anxiety and some mild depression.
>>>>>>OCD can certainly cause extreme anxiety; depression is common in ocd'ers.
But her school teachers say that she is unable to concentrate and finish tasks.
>>>>>>>>>>Yeah, it's AWFULLY hard to concentrate and finish tasks when obsessive thoughts are ruminating and causing terrible discomfort.
I took her to a psychologist and had her evaluated and he did not think she has ADHD. He said she is a very bright child and just has a mind that is always ruminating about things and that is why she is unable to concentrate.
>>>>>>>You won't get much help from him! He'll just want you to keep bringing her back for worthless "talk therapy" without medication...if she has ocd, and it is your comments that strongly lead me to believe that she does, "talking" about it ALONE is not going to do much at all! In addition to an anti-obsessional med (the main thing needed if she does indeed have ocd along with a great deal of accompanying anxiety), a good cognitive behavioral psychologist who works well with children (one that she would feel very comfortable with) might help her by offering insight, tips, being able to answer questions she has, etc.), but again, IF she does have ocd and it is very distressing to her, an anti-obsessional is needed! IF it were mild then you might not need to go the med route but it doesn't sound mild due to her level of discomfort that you describe.
We have been seeing him off and on for about a year now.
>>>>>>>>> So typical---he'll keep on doing NOTHING, just "talking" about crap that will not help her ocd at all....the ocd will continue to cause her discomfort (and may very well worsen) as this clown just keeps racking up more and more visits (and dollars $$$), but he won't help her ocd one bit!
He referred us to a psychiatrist and she gave my child Effexor. This seemed to help her for the short time she was on it. But I did not feel comfortable with her being on it as I was on it also and I know what kind of side effects and withdrawal symptoms you have when trying to discontinue it. And even though a lot of kids are taking it, it has not been approved for use in children. It also made her a little too aggressive with her four year old sister. Anyway she is off of Effexor now. Her concentration became a serious problem toward the last month of school so the psychiatrist had her try Adderall along with the Effexor. To make a long story short, her pediatrician who has been our doctor since my daughter was born is not comfortable with Effexor, so she has suggested trying Zoloft.
She told me she has a lot of kids on Zoloft and she thinks it would help my child.
>>>>>>>>I think it would too. But, IF she does have ocd, she will need to find the effective dose FOR HER and give the med a long enough time to work effectively.
She also does not think my child has enough ADD to medicate.
>>>>>>>>>The ocd can "look" like add because the ocd, if bad enough, will cause her to NOT be able to concentrate DUE TO the obsessive ruminations and the resulting anxiety.
She thinks her main problem is anxiety.
>>>>>>>OCD is an anxiety-type disorder. It can cause incredible anxiety and discomfort when bad and not treated properly.
I also think this is the problem because my child always worrying about something for example she is afraid she is going to throw up if she has a stomach ache, which is about every 5 minutes. She is also afraid that something bad is going to happen to her. She is overly concerned about her health. She asked me that if she goes in the swimming pool will the chlorine get into her brain. There are so many little things like this that she is concerned about. This has been going for about 2 years now.
>>>>>>>>>These obsessive ruminations and the extreme worries regarding a preoccupation with health are a BIG tip-off that she has ocd! Don't expect your average shrink, psychologist, or doctor to automatically see this because many don't know much about ocd---I urge you to take her to a psychiatrist who specializes in OCD!
My husband just pushes it all under the rug to deal with later
>>>>>>>>>>>Loved ones often simply don't know HOW to help or WHAT to do.
however he is starting to see how it is affecting our daughter. I just don't know what to do.
>>>>>>>>>Take her to a psychiatrist that specializes in OCD!
Now that school is out for the summer I am trying to see how she does without any medication.
>>>>>>>>>>Less stress due to her being out of school may temporarily help her ocd, as stress only worsens the ocd; however, if her ocd is NOT the very mild form, it will likely gradually worsen with time.
We are also seeing the psychologist who tested her for ADHD.
>>>>>>>>>>Take her to a psychiatrist that KNOWS and RECOGNIZES ocd. This psychologist who wasted the last year will waste the next year too.
I think seeing him will help her but I wonder if we should give the Zoloft a try because her constant worrying is a real problem and it is affecting her daily life and well being.
>>>>>>>>>>>"her CONSTANT WORRYING is a REAL PROBLEM and it is AFFECTING HER DAILY LIFE AND WELL BEING"......OCD! And I can see that it certainly does NOT sound mild. A much milder form would not necessarily require meds, at least not right away (unless it progressed). But your daughter, by your own words, sounds to be in a great deal of discomfort. She needs medication.
She is a very bright girl.
>>>>>Most OCD'ers are.
She will be in fourth grade and is reading on a seventh grade level.
>>>>>>>>>Get her the help that she needs for her OCD and hopefully she can enjoy at least some of her Summer. School is only a significant STRESSOR right now. Once she feels better on the med, school can once again become enjoyable for her.
I just hate to see her this upset and unhappy. Please help.
>>>>>>>>>Again, YOUR words clearly convey that your daughter is very upset and in a lot of discomfort! I KNOW how badly that OCD feels because your story rings SO very identical to mine! Start her on the Zoloft and find an EFFECTIVE dose that works for HER. Ocd can be pure HELL. It typically progressively worsens. Stress only throws gas on the fire and worsens it more. Take her to a specialist for ocd, get her on an anti-obsessional med (Zoloft is one), find someone (cognitive behavioral child psychologist) who can give her insight/tips/support on dealing with her problems and she will feel MUCH, MUCH better! I speak from personal experience (I was in her shoes!)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. jtc
>>>>>>>>Take the advice. Best of luck to you and her!
Posted by Paulie on June 9, 2003, at 12:09:24
In reply to Zoloft, posted by jtc on June 8, 2003, at 22:31:12
I agree with other posters. A stimulant will probably increase the anxiety your daughter is experiencing. An anti-anxiety drug or medication for OCD seems more appropiate. Does your daughter show any signs of OCD symptoms like excessive hand washing or doing other repetive tasks? I had OCD as a child/young teenager and for me it was quite torturous. Never had ADD. As previous poster mentioned, smart kids are usually more concerned and self-conscious about health/safety issues. If this has gotten out of hand, medication may be appropiate. From what you mentioned, her attention difficuties seem to be the result of anxiety and/or OCD rather than ADD.
Paul
Posted by jtc on June 9, 2003, at 22:49:24
In reply to jtc, Re: Zoloft, posted by McPac on June 9, 2003, at 11:54:31
> Hi, I was wondering if anyone has a child who is taking Zoloft.
>
> >>>>>>My niece is on it (started it last year at age 11/12; works great for her anxiety; no side effects for her)
>
> My daughter has just turned 9 and has tried Effexor XR and Adderall. Her pediatrician says that she has extreme anxiety and some mild depression.
>
> >>>>>>OCD can certainly cause extreme anxiety; depression is common in ocd'ers.
>
> But her school teachers say that she is unable to concentrate and finish tasks.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>Yeah, it's AWFULLY hard to concentrate and finish tasks when obsessive thoughts are ruminating and causing terrible discomfort.
>
> I took her to a psychologist and had her evaluated and he did not think she has ADHD. He said she is a very bright child and just has a mind that is always ruminating about things and that is why she is unable to concentrate.
>
> >>>>>>>You won't get much help from him! He'll just want you to keep bringing her back for worthless "talk therapy" without medication...if she has ocd, and it is your comments that strongly lead me to believe that she does, "talking" about it ALONE is not going to do much at all! In addition to an anti-obsessional med (the main thing needed if she does indeed have ocd along with a great deal of accompanying anxiety), a good cognitive behavioral psychologist who works well with children (one that she would feel very comfortable with) might help her by offering insight, tips, being able to answer questions she has, etc.), but again, IF she does have ocd and it is very distressing to her, an anti-obsessional is needed! IF it were mild then you might not need to go the med route but it doesn't sound mild due to her level of discomfort that you describe.
>
> We have been seeing him off and on for about a year now.
>
> >>>>>>>>> So typical---he'll keep on doing NOTHING, just "talking" about crap that will not help her ocd at all....the ocd will continue to cause her discomfort (and may very well worsen) as this clown just keeps racking up more and more visits (and dollars $$$), but he won't help her ocd one bit!
>
> He referred us to a psychiatrist and she gave my child Effexor. This seemed to help her for the short time she was on it. But I did not feel comfortable with her being on it as I was on it also and I know what kind of side effects and withdrawal symptoms you have when trying to discontinue it. And even though a lot of kids are taking it, it has not been approved for use in children. It also made her a little too aggressive with her four year old sister. Anyway she is off of Effexor now. Her concentration became a serious problem toward the last month of school so the psychiatrist had her try Adderall along with the Effexor. To make a long story short, her pediatrician who has been our doctor since my daughter was born is not comfortable with Effexor, so she has suggested trying Zoloft.
>
> She told me she has a lot of kids on Zoloft and she thinks it would help my child.
>
> >>>>>>>>I think it would too. But, IF she does have ocd, she will need to find the effective dose FOR HER and give the med a long enough time to work effectively.
>
> She also does not think my child has enough ADD to medicate.
>
> >>>>>>>>>The ocd can "look" like add because the ocd, if bad enough, will cause her to NOT be able to concentrate DUE TO the obsessive ruminations and the resulting anxiety.
>
> She thinks her main problem is anxiety.
>
> >>>>>>>OCD is an anxiety-type disorder. It can cause incredible anxiety and discomfort when bad and not treated properly.
>
> I also think this is the problem because my child always worrying about something for example she is afraid she is going to throw up if she has a stomach ache, which is about every 5 minutes. She is also afraid that something bad is going to happen to her. She is overly concerned about her health. She asked me that if she goes in the swimming pool will the chlorine get into her brain. There are so many little things like this that she is concerned about. This has been going for about 2 years now.
>
> >>>>>>>>>These obsessive ruminations and the extreme worries regarding a preoccupation with health are a BIG tip-off that she has ocd! Don't expect your average shrink, psychologist, or doctor to automatically see this because many don't know much about ocd---I urge you to take her to a psychiatrist who specializes in OCD!
>
> My husband just pushes it all under the rug to deal with later
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>Loved ones often simply don't know HOW to help or WHAT to do.
>
> however he is starting to see how it is affecting our daughter. I just don't know what to do.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Take her to a psychiatrist that specializes in OCD!
>
> Now that school is out for the summer I am trying to see how she does without any medication.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>Less stress due to her being out of school may temporarily help her ocd, as stress only worsens the ocd; however, if her ocd is NOT the very mild form, it will likely gradually worsen with time.
>
> We are also seeing the psychologist who tested her for ADHD.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>Take her to a psychiatrist that KNOWS and RECOGNIZES ocd. This psychologist who wasted the last year will waste the next year too.
>
> I think seeing him will help her but I wonder if we should give the Zoloft a try because her constant worrying is a real problem and it is affecting her daily life and well being.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>"her CONSTANT WORRYING is a REAL PROBLEM and it is AFFECTING HER DAILY LIFE AND WELL BEING"......OCD! And I can see that it certainly does NOT sound mild. A much milder form would not necessarily require meds, at least not right away (unless it progressed). But your daughter, by your own words, sounds to be in a great deal of discomfort. She needs medication.
>
> She is a very bright girl.
>
> >>>>>Most OCD'ers are.
>
> She will be in fourth grade and is reading on a seventh grade level.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Get her the help that she needs for her OCD and hopefully she can enjoy at least some of her Summer. School is only a significant STRESSOR right now. Once she feels better on the med, school can once again become enjoyable for her.
>
> I just hate to see her this upset and unhappy. Please help.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Again, YOUR words clearly convey that your daughter is very upset and in a lot of discomfort! I KNOW how badly that OCD feels because your story rings SO very identical to mine! Start her on the Zoloft and find an EFFECTIVE dose that works for HER. Ocd can be pure HELL. It typically progressively worsens. Stress only throws gas on the fire and worsens it more. Take her to a specialist for ocd, get her on an anti-obsessional med (Zoloft is one), find someone (cognitive behavioral child psychologist) who can give her insight/tips/support on dealing with her problems and she will feel MUCH, MUCH better! I speak from personal experience (I was in her shoes!)
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated. jtc
>
> >>>>>>>>Take the advice. Best of luck to you and her!Thanks for your advice. I also have OCD and panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as well as depression so I think my child has inherited it from me. What do you think about Luvox or Prozac. I took Luvox for about 3 or 4 years and it did wonders for me. I have read that Prozac can be better for anxiety if there is some attention problems associated with it because the Zoloft can make attention problems worse. I truly appreciated your advice and I am calling our pediatrician on Tuesday because today (Monday) was a particularly difficult day for my daughter. I won't go into details but to make is short she thought she swallowed a fly while she was running at my husband's softball game and at dinner she was preoccupied with this and she also says she has trouble swallowing her food and even drinking some water is difficult. I am afraid she is going to lose weight. She is already very thin. She is about 57 pounds and is 54 inches tall. This is just a few of the problems she is having. Anyway thanks for your advice and I will take it.
jtc
>
>
Posted by McPac on June 10, 2003, at 1:30:12
In reply to Re: jtc, Re: Zoloft » McPac, posted by jtc on June 9, 2003, at 22:49:24
Thanks for your advice.
>>>>>>>>No problem.
I also have OCD and panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as well as depression so I think my child has inherited it from me.
>>>>>>>>> I'm afraid she has.
What do you think about Luvox or Prozac. I took Luvox for about 3 or 4 years and it did wonders for me.
>>>>>>>>>Luvox and Prozac are other anti-obsessionals of course. Often times a med that works well for one family member will also work well for another family member. Luvox would be a fine choice.
I have read that Prozac can be better for anxiety if there is some attention problems associated with it because the Zoloft can make attention problems worse.
>>>>>>>> There really isn't any way to know exactly how a med will affect somebody until they try it themselves. Many people will have differing responses. Just because one person had a particular response does not mean at all that another person will.
I truly appreciated your advice and I am calling our pediatrician on Tuesday because today (Monday) was a particularly difficult day for my daughter.
I won't go into details but to make is short she thought she swallowed a fly while she was running at my husband's softball game and at dinner she was preoccupied with this and she also says she has trouble swallowing her food and even drinking some water is difficult. I am afraid she is going to lose weight. She is already very thin. She is about 57 pounds and is 54 inches tall.>>>>>>>>She needs to get on one of the anti-ocd meds soon! (I would choose Luvox or Zoloft myself)
This is just a few of the problems she is having. Anyway thanks for your advice and I will take it.
jtc
>>>>>>>>> Very good! Keep me posted!
Posted by whisper55 on March 17, 2004, at 12:05:46
In reply to Re: Zoloft, posted by Paulie on June 8, 2003, at 23:52:22
This is not an easy thing and I'd advise another opinon, zoloft is not for kids period. Many things could be the factor, is she overweight and is being teased those sort of things. Can she sit down for 8 minutes or more? I am a former teacher
and ritalin is common and they even have newer safer drugs. Get information a kid should not be on heavy meds. Seek many professional advice including your regular doctor.
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