As with any medication, results will vary. Everyone’s mileage will be different. We found that out the hard way with Elliott, our 5 year old Aspie.
Elliott was started on a very low dose of Zoloft for his extreme anxiety.
Elliott began taking 5 mg/day last week. He was on it for a total of 3 days before the doctor pulled him off.
Even at the tiny dose, Elliott had a very negative reaction.
He basically went manic. He was bouncing off the walls, had insomnia and rapid mood swings.
While he was only on the meds for 3 days, it took almost 5 days for his symptoms to subside, at least for the most part. However, during that time, he missed about 4 days of school.
He returned to school yesterday and today. He had really good days according to his teachers. That is a huge relief for me. I was really worried.
I mentioned this the other day but I wanted to bring it up again.
I have heard from so many parents that say their child on the #Autism Spectrum had a very similar reaction. I don’t know if neuro-typical kids experience a similar reaction or whether or not it’s more common amongst kids on the spectrum.
I was contacted by a few adult Autistics as well. There experience with Zoloft has been a negative one to say the very least.
I also heard from other parents that say their child with Autism is on Zoloft and it’s been a life saver.
I find it interesting how vastly different everyone’s experience with this particular medication is.
I don’t know if there is any scientific evidence to back this up but I’d be really curious to see what they would find if they looked into it.
Is Zoloft a bad medication? Absolutely not. Many, many people are aided by this medication every single day. I think I would just exercise caution and talk to you doctor before starting your child on Zoloft, especially if your child is on the Autism Spectrum.
Much like the very nature of Autism, everyone’s experience with Zoloft -or any medication for that matter- will vary.
Until next time……… 🙂
**Thanks for reading**
-Lost and Tired
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I have a 13 year old son who was recently diagnosed with Social Phobia and inattentive ADHD. Possibly stemming from ASD? The dr wants to treat the social phobia before re-evaluating for the ASD. He started my son on Zoloft and Inderal to help with his anxiety issues. It’s been a week and a half that he’s been on the medication. It is making the boy bounce off the walls pretty much, and talking so much, so fast that its basically just babble. I have to make him slow down and repeat what he said so that I can understand what he is trying to say. He’s starting to say some pretty bizarre, off the wall things and do some pretty bizarre things both at home and school. Is this maybe a bad side effect if he does have Autism, and Zoloft is not something he should be taking? Please help…
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My son took Celexa and had the exact same reaction. But we didn't realize it was the Celexa giving him that negative reaction at first because we had also started Ritalin. We thought the Ritalin was a failure because we thought it was giving him a paradoxal reaction. His psychiatrist warned us beforehand that this (paradoxal reaction) happens a lot with autistic kids
I think Celexa is what Gavin was on for depression for like 2 days before going manic. It lead to Gavin\’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
I couldn\’t remember the name until you mentioned Celexa.
Some children with autism do develop depression and SSRIs like Zoloft are used to treat it but if they have worsening or shows signs of aggression, then the medication should be reconsidered. There are studies that says Zoloft birth defects now include autism. Several SSRIs were included in the study although a formal link can not be established because it needs further study.
I am so sorry the medication had such a bad side-effect on your little boy =( It's so hard sometimes, being a parent of SN kids, wanting to do the right thing but never knowing what's really right for them. With my son, he is taking 50mg/day (you heard me right), but it's working very well for his severe anxiety. I believe that part of it is also because he has ADHD. Zoloft tends to help calm kids down with ADHD, though with kids who don't have ADHD, it tends to rile them up and make them hyper. But every child with autism is different, and reactions will be different. I sincerely hope you're able to find something that DOES work for your boy. Dealing with severe anxiety on a constant basis is so infuriating for both the parents and kids.
My recent post Autism News for Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I am so sorry the medication had such a bad side-effect on your little boy =( It's so hard sometimes, being a parent of SN kids, wanting to do the right thing but never knowing what's really right for them. With my son, he is taking 50mg/day (you heard me right), but it's working very well for his severe anxiety. I believe that part of it is also because he has ADHD. Zoloft tends to help calm kids down with ADHD, though with kids who don't have ADHD, it tends to rile them up and make them hyper. But every child with autism is different, and reactions will be different. I sincerely hope you're able to find something that DOES work for your boy. Dealing with severe anxiety on a constant basis is so infuriating for both the parents and kids.
My recent post Autism News for Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Although not on the spectrum myself, Zoloft and its generic counterpart have worked wonders for my serotonin deficiency. Haven't tried it for my Aspie son, not going to because it's pro'ly not necessary. Thanks for this helpful post. (I found your FB page from http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/my-favorit…
~~Lisa
My recent post Secular Media vs. Religious Liberty
After 14 days on Zoloft my son at age 11 developed tremors that resembled severe Parkinsons. Since then he has not been on any meds.
Count us in on Zoloft being a very positive influence for my 18 year old autistic son. Didn't accomplish ALL that we hoped as far as anxiety and repeating etc, but definitely did not have any bad reaction to it, and he was up to 100mg. Glad Elliott's apparent reaction is finally waning, though…
Thanks for the feedback. I\’m glad it is working for your family 🙂