People's Opinions On Zoloft?

Hi @am3, I'm glad that you found an outlet to talk here on Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that it is very hard when people close to you don't understand. I think it can be hard for adults to understand when a 13 year old has dark thoughts, is cutting or has suicidal thoughts. Adults think "Why? You have your whole life in front of you." or "You'll grow out of it." But, I bet that's not the way you feel.

I'm going to ask you to stay in touch. If you feel like hurting yourself or just wish you could cry but can't, there is help. In addition to talking to us here, you might think about chatting with an online counselor here:
- Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org

I think people here like @ineedhope @ayeshasharma @georgette12 and @parus as well as @guener can also share some thoughts with you and their experiences.

@am3, can you share more about what your parents don't understand? What would you like your mom to understand? What isn't she getting?

@am3, it is difficult being labeled by others when we all have our own problems in life. You come across as quite intelligent and are doing the right things as best as you can. I think talking with your grandmother would be a good idea when you are able to do so. In the mean time, how are you handling coping with your isolation and feelings during this time? Are there online support groups, like this one, that you are able to turn to to express your thoughts with persons in your peer group? The added stress of being stuck at home is something we are all dealing with, and I am hoping that you are finding the resources you need to be able to share and to receive the best possible feedback possible. For what it's worth, I was considered an oddball kid when I was your age, and I think that was very difficult for me to accept as a judgment from others, when I was just anxious and hurting all the time. Coming here for information shows a degree of maturity in you that is to be complimented.

Do you have a school counselor, school nurse or teacher that you trust? Please tell them. I agree with Guener...
someone at school will help you... and you will not be the first to ask for their help. They are there for you. You can trust them. They are trained to help you.

@am3 Dear "troubled kid", you have come to the right place. I am fairly new here, but right away felt better for having these kind, and knowledgeable, people to talk to. They will not give up on you, so don't you give up. You sound very intelligent, and focused on solving your own problems with this med, and with all the other stuff, too. That you can still be that focused in spite of having to take increasing doses of a med that is obviously not right for you, is a sign of your inner strength.

I don't know what the answer is for you with a mom who doesn't seem to be listening, that is a huge problem. Maybe you could show her some of the letters on this forum from other people who have had extreme problems with Zoloft, so that she could begin to understand that the problem lies with the prescription, not with you. People sometimes have to go through drug after drug before a good match is found. I did. And things got much better because of it. Different bodies respond in wildly differing ways to almost any psychiatric drug there is. It is a process of trial and error, and most doctors understand that.

In the meantime, hang on to hope, and don't give up. I wish I could put my arm around your shoulder, and give you a squeeze, you good kid. Keep on communicating, and you will find the help you need and deserve. With love and confidence in you, Zep

If you do not have a trusted teacher’s phone number, is there a trusted priest or minister who can help you.

You do not need to be a member of their church. I knew a minister who was trained in counseling. He helped me! They will not tell anyone that you called them or saw them.

Please talk to a teacher, a minister... your town may have a counselor.
Let us know. We are waiting to hear from you.

Am3
Many ministers, priests and rabbis are trained in counseling.. or know someone who will listen to you and help you....
It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help. You can do it.

Well my dad is in jail and anytime he calls it's like he doesn't listen. I have always been on my dad's side, then I realized that he is so addicted to drugs that they are his priority and I am not. My mom has been sober for quite a while now but nobody in this house listens to me. Nobody is gonna understand because they aren't me. I get that, but I just want my parents, to be parent, at least listen to me when I'm asking you for help.

My mom doesn't really allow me to do anything without running it by her and she just thinks i'm fine. My "counselor" does not engage into conversation. I'm honestly just waiting till i'm 18.

I appreciate all of you amazing people. Honestly, I don't want to take meds. I'm not meaning it as a bad thing towards other people I just don't want medicine to define me. I feel so different and confused. I hate when I kind of lash out, or if I seem off, and they ask, "Have you taken your meds today?" Last night my mom asked me, "Why are you like this?" I said, "Like what?" She said, "You act like life is a game."
People tell me that I can't be happy unless I want to be. That's the thing though. When I was 9, I was sent to live with grandparents and before that, I honestly don't remember much. I know it sounds crazy but I was told I had PTSD back then and I would always get these bad dreams that put me in bad places. I remember some things, vaguely but everything I remember is bad. I just don't know who I am when I'm happy. I much rather rely on friends, then family. I just feel like friends get me better. I feel okay when I'm with friends. I'm just not sure if happy is right for me. I don't wanna be miserable but I don't wanna be drugged up, especially since my parents were addicts, I just don't wanna rely on something to make me numb. Due to this Covid-19 stuff and being grounded off of my phone, The only thing that keeps me from going insane is my room, and sleep. I can't seem to sleep at night. That's when my thoughts get horrible. During the day is when I sleep and wait for a reasonable time to nap, till I'm up at 11, and can't sleep till 6 in the morning. I'm recently going through a break up and I feel like I'm going to explode. I can't cry and let it out. Instead, what do I do? I think. I overthink. Thank you o much for listening to me. It helps.

@am3 Im so sorry you are going through all this having to shoulder it all by yourself . Like so many people said is there someone you can talk to a good friends Mom maybe What about your Grandmother is it possible for you to go to her for awhile maybe to live for awhile Your so young to go through all this . Have you seen a Dr? maybe he/she could help you even if it is only to talk . I dont think they will make you take any meds unless you want to . Maybe they can suggest someone to talk to . Keep us posted we all do care .