Zoloft is the brand name of the drug Sertraline HCl, shown here, that is used for the treatment of depression, stress and anxiety.

The FDA has approved the use of Zoloft for both short-term and long-term use and has received this approval for more uses than any other brand of its nature. This being said, everybody is unique and will have their own reaction to Zoloft’s effects. It is a drug that takes time to fully enter the system and have an impact on the stress levels in the body. You will not see overnight results – that is not what the medication was designed to provide. Instead, you will need a few weeks to begin to see the more long-term impact that it can establish.

Though relief will come soon, it is not going to happen within the first twenty four hours. While some people feel the first improvements in their symptoms after the first week or two, others require up to eight weeks to start to see any improvement at all. From that point on, though, you will start to see how your symptoms are more controlled and have less of an impact on your life. Your doctor will likely start you on a lower dose so that you can see how you react with the drug. Then, if necessary, the dose will be adjusted to properly suit your needs.

It is also during that time that you will discover whether or not you will experience some of the side effects that may occur with the use of Zoloft. These can include insomnia, sleepiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, and sexual side effects. You may have none of these side effects, or you may have several, but you won’t necessarily have all of them. Keep in mind that with time, the side effects of Zoloft do typically decrease. Unlike some other SSRIs, Zoloft has not been shown to contribute to weight gain in any studies.

Zoloft is designed to help you deal with depression and anxiety conditions of many kinds, but it will not change the way you think or the person you are.

Zoloft is one of the most prescribed medications for the treatment of depression, stress disorders and anxiety disorders.

In 2007, Zoloft was prescribed more than any other antidepressant available on the American market, with 29,652,000 prescriptions having been written and filled. Though the actual effect of this form of antidepressant is considered to be comparable to that of the older tricyclic form of antidepressants, these are often a first choice simply because their side effects are different and less dramatic. In fact, some studies are starting to show that drugs of Zoloft’s nature are actually more effective for some kinds of depression than fluoxetine (commonly known as Prozac). Furthermore, it is known to be exceptionally effective in treating anxiety and panic disorders. That being said, cognitive behavioral therapy is still considered to be a superior treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder than Zoloft – but Zoloft in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy is much better than either one on their own.

Actual social phobia (the extreme version of social anxiety disorder) and post-traumatic disorders can see improvements through the use of Zoloft, but only modestly. Other therapies are recommended in conjunction with the drug. Zoloft has also been known to help ease the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) when using sub-therapeutic doses or simply using it intermittently as needed for treatment.

Though a very effective drug, Zoloft does not come without the risk of side effects – some of which are quite common. These side effects are universal throughout the SSRI class of drugs. They include diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, sleepiness, and sexual side effects. Some people also report dry mouth. That being said, unlike many other SSRIs, Zoloft has not been shown to lead to weight gain and any cognition impacts it has are deemed to be mild. As with other forms of antidepressant, in some specific types of cases, there is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts with Zoloft – however, statistics relating to this topic are currently subject to controversy.

Good stress and anxiety come from many places. If you are on the side of the street and a car whizzes by, you are going to feel a rush of anxiety about crossing the street. What that means is you are going to be more careful to look before you step out into the street to cross. While at work, you may be closing in on a deadline but you still have a lot of work to do. This may be because things have gone wrong or you are not getting the help that you need. The stress and anxiety that come with this should help you think of the solutions that you need to get the job done right and on time.

However, for some people, the effects of stress and anxiety work against the body and mind instead of with them. People who experience excessive amounts of anxiety and stress can react much differently and it can impact their lives dramatically. They may see the car whizzing by and have a panic attack thinking about how they could have been hit. They could avoid crossing the street if at all possible or go far out of their way to cross where they think it would be safer, even if it adds thirty minutes to their walk. Those at work with the deadline approaching may freeze and not get their work down, while suffering from deepening amounts of stress and anxiety symptoms.

The reasons why some excel under stress and anxiety and why others crumble are not always clear, but much of it has to do with history and chemical makeup. Some people have connections within the brain that do not work as well as they should, and may be missing chemicals that help with soothing and problem solving within the body. Those that have been through a period of depression or have been through more intense situations in life may be more prone to reacting to stress and anxiety in a negative rather than helpful way.

When stress and anxiety are too much, disorders can occur. These include social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or occasional anxiety problems. There are a few ways these can be treated, and the best treatment ultimately depends on the patient. Therapy is always a great option, as a good therapist can help someone relearn how to deal with stressful situations. There are some great medications on the market both prescription and herbal that may also be effective as long as they are taken under the direction of a qualified medical professional.

Those without social anxiety disorder may experience fear in new social situations from time to time. This is quite normal and is built in to put us at our best. Some people are just born shy, but they do learn to overcome that and attend functions that make them uneasy. However, for others, the fear is so overwhelming that they overcome this by avoidance. This severely limits quality of life and results in loneliness and anxiety. Sometimes, social phobia leads to panic disorder when someone must venture out where they are uncomfortable.

Everyone worries about what new people will think of them. However, those with social anxiety disorder worry about things obsessively. They may think that everyone is staring at their nose, deeming it huge and unsightly when in reality there is nothing wrong with their nose and no one is paying them any mind. They may think they chew food strangely and will not eat in front of anyone. Someone without social anxiety may check their teeth after eating to be sure no food is stuck there, but those with this condition are sure they always have something there and everyone is laughing at them when they are not looking.

They symptoms of this disorder may mimic someone who is simply shy by nature. A person may think everything they say is stupid, so they will not partake in any conversation. They will be quiet, blush very easily, and may stammer quite often when they do attempt to speak to someone they do not know very well. Those with social phobia often rehearse what they are going to say or what they are going to do before they encounter a situation they can not avoid. They may practice walking because they feel they look funny, or spend hours obsessing about what to wear.

There are physical sensations that come with social anxiety disorder. These are shaking of the hands and excessive sweating when confronted with social situations. Those with this condition may have extreme bouts of diarrhea when they think about interactions with others. They may also have confusion and racing thoughts, along with a racing heart beat and shortness of breath. They may have panic attacks and develop severe depression as well.