If you’ve been using prescription medication for an extended period, and you abruptly stop using it, you may develop a variety of disconcerting symptoms. In the case of Zoloft withdrawal, these symptoms can include both physical and psychological distress.
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, don’t wait! Call us today or schedule a free assessment to take the first step towards healing!
What Is Zoloft?
Zoloft is the brand name of a prescription medication that is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including:
- Depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
The primary active ingredient in Zoloft is sertraline, which is categorized as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI.
Sertraline and other meds in the SSRI category interact with receptors in the central nervous system that are associated with a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This chemical messenger is involved with a variety of processes and characteristics, including mood, learning, memory, and the sleep/wake cycle.
Normally, nerve cells release serotonin into the synapses, or small gaps that separate one nerve cell from the next. Once the serotonin has delivered its message, a receptor absorbs it so that it can be reused.
When someone takes Zoloft or another SSRI, the medication prevents these receptors from absorbing the serotonin. This causes a buildup of the chemical, which has the effect of amplifying its message. For some people, this leads to decreased symptoms and improved mood.
What Happens During Zoloft Withdrawal?
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) uses the term antidepressant discontinuation syndrome to describe what happens during Zoloft or sertraline withdrawal.
Regardless of what you call this experience, Zoloft withdrawal can include symptoms such as:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive perspiration
- Exhaustion and lethargy
- Insomnia
- “Brain zaps,” which can feel like brief electrical impulses inside your head
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Mood swings
- Increased anxiety or depression
Zoloft or sertraline withdrawal doesn’t cause the intense distress that’s associated with opioid withdrawal, nor does it pose the same health risks that alcohol withdrawal involve. But it can still be an uncomfortable experience, and the symptoms can become intense enough that they prevent a person from ending their Zoloft or sertraline use.
How to Safely Stop Using Zoloft
You should never stop using Zoloft or any other prescription medication without first consulting with the doctor who prescribed it to you. Topics that you may need to address during this consultation can include:
- Why you no longer want to take Zoloft
- How your symptoms have changed since you began taking the medication
- If you want to try a different medication, or attempt to manage your symptoms via other means
- How long you have been taking Zoloft, and how much you use on a daily basis
- If you have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns that could be impacted by your decision to stop taking Zoloft
Whether you intend to switch meds or try a different approach, your doctor will typically set up a schedule that will allow you to slowly taper your use of Zoloft. This can give your body the opportunity to adjust to the gradual absence of the medication, which should minimize the intensity and duration of your Zoloft or sertraline withdrawal symptoms.
Alternatives to Zoloft
In addition to agreeing on a plan for safely ending your Zoloft use, you and your healthcare provider will also need to identify an appropriate alternative for managing your symptoms.
Your options will likely include other medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.
Other Medications
Depending on what type of disorder you had been taking Zoloft for, your doctor may recommend switching to one of the following:
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), a category that includes Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- Atypical antidepressants such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Desyrel (trazadone)
- Benzodiazepines such as Ativan (lorazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam) may be helpful.
- Antipsychotics such as Seroquel (quetiapine) or aripiprazole (Abilify)
Please note that this is by no means a complete list of all meds that may be appropriate for someone who is switching from Zoloft. Your doctor will be able to provide you with a more thorough set of options, and they can explain the benefits and potential drawbacks of each one.
Therapy
Several types of therapy have proved to be beneficial for people who have anxiety, depression, PTSD, or OCD. Depending on the nature and severity of the symptoms you have been experiencing, you may be best served by one or more of the following:
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
You may also benefit from services such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive technique that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are related to certain mental health symptoms.
With so many options, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider who will assess the full scope of your needs, then develop an individualized plan just for you.
Some meds and therapies work wonders for some people, but have little to no positive impact on others. Taking the time to choose the right treatment provider can make a substantial difference in the quality and effectiveness of your care.
Learn More About Mental Health Treatment in Atlanta
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry offers personalized outpatient programming for adults whose lives have been disrupted by anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and other mental health concerns.
Features of care at our treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, include a safe and welcoming environment, medication management services, meeting with a psychiatrist, individualized treatment plans, multiple forms of therapy, and detailed discharge planning.
Though the time you spend with us will be relatively brief, the services you receive here and the lessons you learn can yield benefits that truly last a lifetime.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Appointments page or call us today.
