Anxiety is a common mental issue that affects the life functioning of individuals. There are different forms of anxiety but among them, Generalized anxiety disorder is more common as it involves excessive and persistent worry or fear that disrupts mental stability. Approximately, 40 million Americans are suffered from anxiety every year including children, adolescents, and adults. Fortunately, generalized anxiety disorder is treatable. Multiple treatment options are effective in GAD treatment including medications and psychotherapy. Mental health professionals recommend different effective medications such as Zoloft to manage the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Suppose you are suffering from GAD and taking this medication or planning to take this read this article before doing anything. This comprehensive article will help you understand what Zoloft is and what the benefits of Zoloft are in the treatment of GAD. Ultimately, you will get completely familiar with each aspect of this medication. So let’s dive in!

Understanding Zoloft

Zoloft is an antidepressant that is used to manage the symptoms of different common mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder and depression. The brand name of Zoloft is Sertraline and it belongs to the class of drugs which are referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

Main Role of Zoloft

The main role of Zoloft is to increase the level of specific neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin. Serotonin is a major chemical messenger that regulates the activity of the brain and affects mood, learning, memory formation, processing as well as blood clotting. Zoloft has also been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 1991, the Zoloft was first approved by the FDA and experts started their recommendation. It is a prescription drug and you can not take it from anywhere. You need the prescription that you can show to buy this medication from the corresponding store or market. 

First mental health professionals evaluate the mental condition and then recommend this medication to deal with the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Zoloft is also recommended to treat and manage the symptoms of other common mental disorders including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is considered the first line of defense specifically for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. 

Mechanism of Action

1. How does Zoloft work?

Zoloft specifically targets those neurotransmitters that regulate the function of different brain areas such as serotonin. Serotonin is produced by the brain cells which are called neurons. After that, they are released and send signals in the synapse to affect mood and behavior. After the signals pass, the reuptake of excessive serotonin occurs which results in the balancing of its level in the brain. 

How does Zoloft work

There is an imbalance in the serotonin levels in those individuals who are suffering from anxiety or depression. However, the intake of Zoloft medication results in the inhibition of serotonin reuptake. So less serotonin is reabsorbed and its quantity stays in the synapse for a longer period. This ultimately imparts positive effects on mood and behavior. 

2. Effect on Dopamine 

Zoloft can also affect the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is another neurotransmitter that specifically performs different functions including motivation, attention and focus, movement, and also emotions. 

Which conditions are treated by Zoloft?

Zoloft is proven to be effective for the treatment of multiple mental health conditions including:

1. Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder involves the fear of engagement in social situations. Zoloft helps in managing the symptoms of social anxiety disorder especially fear of social exposure.

2. Major Depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is also named as the major depression or clinical depression. The most common symptoms of major depressive disorder involve continuous and excessive stress, fear, and reduced passion and interest in social activities. However, Zoloft is useful for managing all these symptoms of major depression. 

3. Panic disorder 

Panic disorder involves the occurrence of frequent and intense panic attacks. Zoloft helps in reducing the frequency as well as the intensity of panic attacks. 

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common and complex mental issue that occurs after the individual is exposed to any traumatic life situation. The most common PTSD symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, etc. Zoloft helps in preventing the onset of these PTSD symptoms. 

5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves obsessions and compulsions. Zoloft is also considered useful for the treatment of OCD symptoms. 

6. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of PMS that comprises multiple symptoms including mood swings. Zoloft can help prevent mood swings and other common physical and emotional symptoms.

Which conditions are treated by Zoloft

What is the effective dosage of Zoloft?

Prozac can be taken in different forms including tablets, capsules as well as liquid forms. However, the dosage in each form is different. The starting dose of Prozac is 10 mg per day and the maximum dose is 60 mg to 80 mg per day.  Moreover, the other range of doses in different forms are as follows:

Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg, 60 mg

Capsules: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg

Liquid Solution: 20 mg/5 mL

Delayed-release (DR) capsules: 90 mg 

However, before the intake of Zoloft in any form, first consult the mental health professionals and take the dose that works best for you. Moreover, the best time of day to take Zoloft for anxiety is the morning. You can take a single dose of Prozac early morning with or without food. However, the intake of DR capsules should be limited to just once a week. 

Start with just one dose, but if your expert recommends a higher dose, you can take two doses per day. If you take this medication with your meal or any food item, you can prevent stomach issues, which are also a common side effect of Zoloft. 

Does Zoloft work immediately? 

No. Zoloft does not perform its function in an immediate manner. Always remember that every medication takes time to act and show the response. So you should have some patience to see the magical results. The Zoloft also takes approximately six to eight weeks to start showing the effects. Moreover, the response of Zoloft also depends on the mental state of the individual. The initial dose of Zoloft should be low to prevent side effects. 

Multiple factors can affect the functioning of Zoloft for anxiety such as:

  • Symptom severity
  • Dosage
  • Individual response time
  • Age and weight
  • Intake of other medications
  • Presence of other medications

Furthermore, start your intake with the dose of 25 to 50 mg per day but as soon you feel that you are not getting any side effects then you can increase the dose up to 150 mg to 200 mg per day. 

What are the top benefits of taking Zoloft for GAD?

There are multiple benefits of Zoloft drug such as:

1. Reduction in the symptoms of mental anxiety

Individuals suffering from generalized anxiety disorder can get relief from the symptoms with the regular and appropriate dosage of Zoloft. Various recent studies have also reported the significance of Zoloft intake in reducing anxiousness within a specific period. 

2. Relief from the physical symptoms 

Other than psychological symptoms, there are multiple physical symptoms associated with GAD such as nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, etc. Zoloft also works in alleviating the physical symptoms of GAD.

3. Treatment of Comorbid conditions

The benefits of Zoloft are diverse and infinite. Other than GAD, Zoloft is also effective for the treatment of other co-curring mental conditions including depression, PTSD, and substance abuse disorder. 

4. Long-term anxiety management

If you take Zoloft for a longer time period then the brain adapts to the increased serotonin levels. This results in the increased positive emotional response that is required for mental stability for a longer time period.
What are the top benefits of taking Zoloft for GAD

What are the side effects of Zoloft?

Although Zoloft is significant for the treatment of anxiety and depression it can also cause some common side effects which are as follows:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Dryness in mouth 
  • Unconsciousness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Changes in appetite
  • Reduced sex drive 
  • Issues in ejaculation

All the side effects are not lethal but in some cases, serious side effects can also occur. Moreover, those individuals whose age is below 25 years are more prone to get serious side effects which include:

  • Abnormal fluctuations in cardiac rate
  • Episodes of mania
  • Extremely increased serotonin levels ( Serotonin syndrome)
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • High risk of bleeding

Furthermore, if you suddenly stop the intake of Zoloft then you can suffer from the Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. 

What you should consider before taking Zoloft for Anxiety?

You should not directly take  Zoloft without expert recommendation. However, experts also consider the following factors before recommending the specific dose of Zoloft such as:

  • Previous and current medical history
  • Presence of any other illness
  • Interactions with other medications or supplements

Furthermore, they also find out first that the females are pregnant or in the phase of breastfeeding.

What are the other alternative medications for GAD?

Other than Zoloft, there are also multiple medications that can work as an alternative such as:

  • Prozac
  • Lexapro
  • Celexa
  • Paxil

Furthermore, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are also used as alternative medications for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Instead of increasing the serotonin levels, they target another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Likewise, other classes of medications include:

  • Hydroxyzine
  • Benzodiazepines 
  • Propranolol 

All these medications are useful but remember that their long-term use is not recommended especially for Benzodiazepines. The long-term intake can result in the development of tolerance or can increase the risk of abuse. In addition, it can also result in‘’ rebound anxiety’’ a severe form of anxiety that is resulted from the withdrawal of the intake of medication. 

Alternative therapies for Anxiety disorders 

If medications alone are not effective in providing the desired outcomes, then therapies are employed by the experts. A most common type of psychotherapies or talk therapies that are best alternated with medications include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy
  • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy 
  • Acceptance and Commitment therapy
  • Compassion focused therapy
  • Eye movement desensitization and Reprocessing 

Is Zoloft a suitable choice for treating anxiety?

Yes, If you are suffering from anxiety and depression then choosing Zoloft is the best option for you. With the help of Zoloft, you can restore the lost balance of your neurotransmitters. By elevating the serotonin levels, you can prevent those symptoms that spoil your mood and also negatively affect your behavior. 

Seek Professional help for GAD treatment!

Advanced Health Preference Group is a top mental health platform that offers the best mental health services for the treatment of all common mental health issues including anxiety and depression. Our team of mental health professionals has knowledge that which treatment options can work better for each individual. After considering the results of the psychological evaluation, they develop the treatment plan or make recommendations. Moreover, they recommend the appropriate dosage of medications that help in managing the symptoms of mental issues. Furthermore, we also offer teletherapy sessions that can help you to consult mental health professionals online. They can guide you that which medication or treatment is helpful for you.

So if you want to start your journey of mental wellness then schedule a consultation with our mental health experts and get on track of your mental health now.