My little guy is three weeks in taking anti-anxiety medication, and the people closest to him have noticed a marked difference.
He is noticeably more talkative and less cautious at school. He has significantly less anxious behavior at home. He has become more independent, vocal, and sassy. His most obsessive OCD actions are fading a bit.
I should be happy, right? I am relieved that it is helping. However, I still am afraid.
I can't find any long term studies on this drug for children (other than the Zoloft website). I can't find any other momma out there giving it to a little one (which is one reason I started this blog).
I just want to make sure this really is in his best interest. I want to make sure our observations are accurate and not viewed through the screen of self-justification. As for now, I am convinced.
I also want to make sure all this vigilance doesn't keep me from enjoying the good moments with him. That's not too much to ask, right? I will let you know when I get good at doing those at the same time...
Of course, I cannot answer your question in any direct way.
ReplyDeleteI can, however, say that as someone with many of these issues, I WISH that my parents had been aware and helped me when I was younger. I didn't figure out that my issues were anything that I could help or try to fix until I was in my 20's and I often regret all those years of anxiety and worry.
My only real concept of Zoloft, as I was on it once, was that it was an appetite stimulant and metabolic depressant...which was not my favorite aspect; the other downside is your body does have the ability to "outgrow" the medication after a few years and make it not as useful (which is when you have to play the game of what to try now and in what dose).
I think about my girls often because I know it is very likely they will start to show signs of what I have, and, while I don't think medication is the only option, I do think it is a very good start. Many people eventually wean off their meds and no longer need them once they learn coping strategies.
Anyway, I hope that made you feel a little better. Speaking from a child's point of view, I would thank you for doing this and would mean it quite sincerely.
Thank you, Nikki. That does help quite a bit.
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