Zoloft for ADHD: Helpful or Hazardous?

By the time you are finished reading this, you are going to understand why Zoloft may not be the best option for treating ADHD. Although it is not an officially recognized treatment for ADHD, it has been known to help in alleviating the symptoms of ADHD in some people. Zoloft for ADHD is often taken along with small doses of psychostimulants like Ritalin and Adderall.

Zoloft and ADHD treatments are used in combination because many people who suffer from ADHD also have problems with depression, OCD, anxiety, and other psychological disorders. Zoloft is also effective in treating the over-focused type of ADHD versus the inattentive type.

The problem with Zoloft for ADHD treatment is the dangerous side effects it has when taken alone and when it interacts with other drugs. Symptoms related to mental health that are associated with Zoloft are anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, hostility, insomnia, impulsivity, and mania.

Zoloft and ADHD may go hand in hand for some people since Zoloft can alleviate many of the bothersome symptoms of ADHD but it can also cause dangerous physical side effects in addition to the psychological ones. Zoloft can cause muscle spasms, flu-like symptoms, difficult speech, severe skin rash, jaundice, heart palpitations, and blurred vision.

Zoloft for ADHD treatment presents the most dangers when taken in conjunction with other drugs. For example, taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOs) even two weeks prior to Zoloft treatment can be fatal. Dangerous side effects can also occur if a patient switches from Zoloft to another serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug.

The most worrisome aspect of children and adolescents taking Zoloft and ADHD treatments of this nature is the fact that it may cause extreme aggression, homicidal behavior, and suicidal thoughts. This has been the subject of many lawsuits against Pfizer, the company that produces Zoloft. There have been numerous stories in the news about adults and children who have committed or attempted to commit homicide due to taking SSRI drugs like Zoloft. In fact, the two adolescents who killed their peers and then themselves during the Columbine shooting were taking SSRI drugs.

If you want to treat ADHD effectively and safely, you might want to avoid Zoloft and other strong prescription drugs. Zoloft for ADHD treatment may be effective for some people but it can also have serious consequences for children, adolescents, and adults alike.

Rather than risking the mental and physical health of your child by giving them Zoloft and other powerful drugs, search for alternative treatment options that can deliver equally satisfactory results that will last without causing worrisome side effects. There are many natural supplements that have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, the most promising of which may be the homeopathic remedies. Many people have reported positive results with these alternative treatments, so it's certainly worth looking into.

Learn more about natural treatments as an alternative to Zoloft for ADHD.

Wayne McDonald is a health enthusiast who has been researching natural remedies for various health conditions for many years. Find out more about some of the most effective treatments for ADHD on his site at http://www.adhd-natural-solutions.com