New here, and I'm really looking for a lot of answers. About a month ago my dad had me see a psychiatrist, and she prescribed me Zoloft. She was pretty quick about it too.

I honestly think I've had depression for quite a few years. I was involved in an anhydrous ammonia spill right around the time I was getting out of elementry school, and since was diagnosed with having acid reflux, asthma, and IGA deficiency. Consequently, my social life has been almost non-existent having spent at least one semester out of school each school year for the past three years (I was put in home-schooling, funded by our public schools). I've also had my share of family problems..

I just turned 18 a few months ago, so I think I've suffered through depression for quite a few years, but to be quite honest it's hard to compare how I am now to when I was happy, because I can barely remember.

I started taking Zoloft at 50mg per day for 5 days, and then moving up to 100mg. I had taken 100mg for about 3 days when I started second-guessing the drug. I didn't want to become addicted to something that in the end (when I would really want to get off of it) might be harder to deal with than just not taking it at all. During those 8 or so days I felt a little more 'giddy' or more excited for things. I also felt more out-going, I wasn't so sensitive, and I even felt like I had more focus and could even read faster! On the downside, for some reason I had really erratic sleeping (the psychiatrist said I should feel sleepy and fall asleep more often - I, on the other hand, couldn't get to sleep for more than 4 hours). In any case, I quit cold turkey after those 8 days. A few nights later I woke up (and I was half awake) and heard people screaming insults. I didn't know if they were directed at me, and I didn't, for lack of better words, freak out. This only occured for about 15 or so seconds and I dozed off - again, I was half awake.. so I just don't know!

For a couple of days after quitting I still felt the good effects of the drug, but I'm now starting to feel bad again. I just don't know if anti-depressants are worth it. My mom is completely against it, because she fears I'll go crazy or something. My dad, on the other hand, has been taking anti-depressants for a month or so and wants me to get on them again.

I guess what I really want to know is if anti-depressants like Zoloft have long-term effects on your brain or body? Like, if I take Zoloft for 5+ years, will there be permanent changes (or damages..) in how my brain functions? Are there any alternatives to anti-depressants? ..should I expect more episodes of waking up to people screaming in my head?

I'm also wondering what your guys' thoughts are on me as a young adult taking Zoloft. I'll be the first to admit I've had to grow up really fast over the past year, because I think up until then I was mentally or socially premature or something (for eg. I was 17 and felt more like I was 14 because I never had a chance to grow up).

I'm really just looking for answers from a third party, because it feels like between my dad, my mom, and my psychiatrist, everyone is telling me what to do. And I feel lost. In any case, I really appreciate anyone who actually read this insanely long post! Lol.

This post has been edited by birdo: Aug 18 2009, 02:34 AM