[Hopealways]

My 17 year old daughter was just diagnosed with GAD and has been on 25 mgs Zoloft for 10 days. She said it is hard to concentrate in school and doesn't think it is helping at all. I know it can take a few weeks before she will notice an improvement with anxiety. At night she was given 50 mgs Trazadone for a sleep aid, which is also an anti-anxiety/anti-depressant. She just wants to take the Trazadone and stop the Zoloft. Since she has been getting good sleep at night, she thinks that will help her anxiety tremendously. She is very strong-willed and is at the age now that I can not force her to take her meds. I did get her to agree to taper off instead of stopping. She cut the Zoloft in half today and took 12.5 mgs. We have an appt with her Dr. next Friday, but she wouldn't wait until then to taper. So can anyone tell us if cutting the Zoloft in half like she did is a good way to taper off of it? Since she had only been on it a little over a week, how long should she go with the 12.5 mgs before she can just stop it completely? Thank you guys! This is all new to me and am trying to research it as much as I can.

[jelly-bean]

You are right that she should continue the Zoloft until she talks to the doctor. However since she is trying to wean herself off of it ahead of time I don't think it will do her any harm to take it for a few days at half strength. Hopefully you can get her to keep taking it until her appt and then ask the doctor about a change in meds.

It has been my experience that, after as short a period of time as 10 days, & at only 25 mg per day, your daughter could probably stop taking the Zoloft completely & she would have no ill effects. But, of course, it is always best to consult with the prescribing physician regarding things of this nature...

[Hopealways]

Thank you guys! This helps.