Zoloft causing apathy in boyfriend-what to do??

[italiangermangirl]

Hi. I have joined this forum mainly because I have questions about Zoloft. My boyfriend began taking Zoloft about 4 months ago. Lately I have noticed that he doesn't seem to care as much about spending time with me or communicating with me. His depression seems to have lifted some for the most part. I do notice that he just seems to have a 'whatever' attitude about things. Like he is on auto-pilot. A bit passionless. He'd rather stay at home and watch TV than make plans to hang out with me. After doing some research, I noticed that apathy was a common side effct of Zoloft. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it ever go away or is it just part of taking these drugs? I am concerned because I am not happy with the way it is affecting him. He doesn't seem the same. He is so apathetic that he doesn't care to talk to his doctor about it either. His recent lack of attention towards me is upsetting and I don't know how to handle the situation. I am more upset about it than he is, becasue he is the apathetic one!! Are there other options out there that may not make him so detatched? Sigh.....Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

there are several possibilities here.  First, this medication very often creates a severe loss of interest in sex, so his apathy may be masking this loss of interest he does not understand or is too uncomfortable to discuss with you, so you should bring it up.  Changesin medication are possible if this is the case.  Also, he may be on too high a dose, and he should talk to his doctor about that, because apathy is not a good response to this medication.

[gj77]

Hi, I was also on Zoloft 100 mg for OCD and depression for about 3 months and  I too experienced the same side effects mentioned such as loss of feeling and emotions. Initially it was quite bad. I also had problems like insomnia and tiredness during the day due to it. Then I was switched onto anafranil (cloripramine) 75 mg and the side effects left and I slept better.
Zoloft didn't work for me and it maybe that it is the same for your boyfriend. Tell him to ask his doctor for alternate medicines and he should have better results.
Hope things get better and your relationship is restored!! The good thing is that anti depressants work and the benefits are good. Its just that finding the right drug takes time. You have to be patient with such meds as I also learnt.

[090308health]

I have been on Zoloft 2 1/2 yrs. I am a 26 yr. old female, married, w/ a child. My Dr. originally put me on it for anxiety. Since being on it, I`ve gained 35 pds., and always feel like I don`t care about anything. I feel kinda disconnected all the time. Because of the large weight gain, I am currently weaning myself off of the drug. In the past few months I`ve gained like 10 pds., while exercising, and not eating that much more than usual. I can`t seem to lose any weight, I just keep getting bigger & bigger. I`ll be so glad when I`m finally off. Any other ladies experience anything like this while on it?? I don`t recommend it unless a person`s DR. ABSOLUTELY insists a person needs it. Thanks...

[Bethie1]

I have been off Zoloft for one month now! So happy to have gotton through most of the worst withdrawls.I have been on it for over 8 years and am wondering how long does it take for your brain to start making its own seritonin again? I do feel a bit depressed and also when does your metabolism kick back in . While am asking all of these questions how about the Libido being restored. Does one ever return to "normal"?