Zoloft Versus Lexapro: My Experiences with Two Popular Anti-Depressant Medications

Many people find that they go through a time where they need an anti-depressant medication at some point during their lives, and deciding which medicine to take can be a very confusing and daunting decision. Zoloft and Lexapro are two popular anti-depressant options, and when patients begin treatment with medication, they are often started on one of these two drugs. I have personal experience with both of these medicines, and in this article I'll compare the pros and cons of both Zoloft and Lexapro. 

When I was 16 years old, I experienced my first bout of depression and was prescribed Zoloft by a child psychiatrist. I didn't really know what to expect, and for a few weeks after starting the medicine, I couldn't feel much of an effect at all. After about 4 weeks of taking Zoloft, however, I noticed things were getting better. I moved to a new high school, and soon my depression began to lift. After about 6 months of treatment, I was well enough to stop taking the Zoloft and I figured my problems with depression were behind me. 

A few years later, however, I started my freshman year at college and my depression began to return, worse than before. I sought help at the college counseling canter, and after a few sessions with a psychologist, I was referred to the school medical clinic to get a prescription for anti-depressants. Since I had done well on Zoloft when I was younger, the doctor decided I should give it another try, and I immediately resumed taking a daily dose of Zoloft. 

Again, I didn't notice much of an effect at first, but within a few weeks my depression began to lift. As I continued my treatment with Zoloft however, I began to experience some strange side effects. The first thing I noticed was that I began to feel emotionally numb. Although I was happy that I wasn't hopelessly depressed, I noticed that nothing really seemed to upset me anymore--even things that it would be perfectly normal & healthy to get upset about. I also wasn't feeling particularly happy about anything, even things that were really exciting going on in my life. I really did just feel numb to the world. 

The other troubling side effect I experienced with Zoloft was sexual in nature. (Note to readers: if you don't want the details, please skip ahead to the next paragraph.) Before starting Zoloft, I was your typical 18 year old guy with my fair share of partners, and I never had any trouble having a fulfilling sex life. Shortly after starting Zoloft, however I began to have the frustrating experience of being unable to have an orgasm. No matter how hard I tried (and believe me, I tried), I could not reach a climax. At first, I began to think something was seriously wrong with me and I got scared. I started searching around on the internet, and discovered sexual side effects like I had been experiencing were actually quite common with Zoloft. In fact, Zoloft causes sexual side effects more frequently than many other anti-depressants that are currently on the market. At least I knew it wasn't a problem only affecting me. 

After a few more months of taking Zoloft, I decided that the side effects weren't worth it and I soon stopped taking it. I was actually okay for almost two years, but then the intense depression returned and I new it was once again time to seek medical help. I went to a psychiatrist, and after sharing with her my experience with Zoloft, she decided she would start me on a different anti-depressant called Lexapro. I was nervous about Lexapro since the information the pharmacist gave me said it could potentially cause the same side effects, but I needed help, so I decided I would at least give it a chance. 

The first thing I noticed about the Lexapro was how quickly I began to feel better. Within a few days of starting treatment, that all too familiar ''cloud of depression" definitely started to lift. This surprised me since it was always several weeks before I started to feel better on Zoloft. Encouraged, I decided to keep talking Lexapro, but I was still worried that unpleasant side effects could start at any time.

So I waited... then I waited some more. But as the weeks and months went by, no side effects emerged. I kept feeling good and the Lexapro definitely seemed to keep my depression at bay. After doing some research, I learned that Lexapro has a very low incidence of side effects and is very well-tolerated by the majority of individuals. My doctor has recommended that I keep taking Lexapro indefinitely, and while I am a little uncomfortable with the idea of having to take a pill every day for the rest of my life, Lexapro seems to have great efficacy with minimal-to-no side effects, which helps to set my mind at ease. 

While only your doctor can decide which medication is appropriate to treat your depression, I have found Lexapro to be a far superior choice to Zoloft. Lexapro seems to work better and much faster than Zoloft, and it also seems to cause far fewer side effects. If you've experienced side effects while taking Zoloft, you should take the time to ask your doctor if a switch to Lexapro might be right for you. If you're anything like me, your quality of life will improve so much that you'll be disappointed you didn't make the switch from Zoloft sooner.

Tips on Making the Decision to Stop Taking Anti-Depressant Medication

Depression is a serious problem in this country. According to some reports, nearly 11% of women and 5% of men in the United States are currently taking one or more anti-depressant medications. These medications can truly be life savers, helping people get through some of the most difficult times in their lives, and there is certainly no shame in seeking a little help to get through a challenging period.

However, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of taking a mood-altering, prescription medication for their entire lives. Some people are concerned about the potentially unknown, long-term side effects of anti-depressants. Others just want to experience life naturally, without any drugs. There are several factors you need to consider before you make the decision to discontinue anti-depressant therapy.

First off, ask yourself if your depression really has gotten better. How has your mood been, generally speaking? Has your appetite returned to normal, or are you eating considerably more or less than you normally would? Are you sleeping better? How is your social life? Make sure that your depression really has lifted and that you haven't just learned to live with the symptoms of depression.

If you've been "stable" for at least six months, are feeling confident, have a good support system in place, and have the desire to stop treatment, it may be time to ask your doctor about stopping your anti-depressant therapy. It is very important that you do not just stop taking your medicine. Your body has gotten used to your medication and abruptly stopping it could cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, fainting, and even a return of your depression.

Your doctor will likely "wean" you off of your medicine by gradually lowering your dose over a period of time, usually a few weeks to a few months. This can be frustrating for some people who see depression as a chapter in their life that they are eager to close. However, by following your dose reduction schedule carefully, you will minimize your chances of having any unpleasant side effects.

During this time, be sure to keep your doctor informed about how you are feeling. If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above, be sure to let your doctor know as soon as possible. It is likely that you are reducing your dose too fast and you may be able to stop any undesired side effects just by slowing down a little bit. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if your feelings of depression return, or if you start to show any symptoms of depression, such as a sudden change in your eating or sleeping patterns.

Finally, don't be discouraged if you can't successfully "get off" anti-depressants the first time you try. Many people don't realize just how much their medication has helped them until they try to stop taking it. You may need some more time to work on the root causes of your depression. Just because you couldn't stop the first time you tried doesn't mean that you won't be able to stop taking anti-depressants in the future.

Other people may find that they have very real chemical imbalances that require a lifetime of treatment. This is perfectly OK, too. As with all medical conditions, the key to good treatment lies in doing your research and staying in close communication with a doctor you trust. Together, you and your medical team can make the best decisions for your personal situation.