Anonymous asked this question on 4/14/2000:
I knew a guy that said that taking Zoloft made him feel less bad. The problem was that he felt less bad when he was angry at someone as well. And if he dwelled on negative thoughts such as revenge he did not get the guilty feelings associated with these thoughts that would normally be there, and should be there. He was able to go-off on someone that angered him and do it with little guilt. He told me of a dream he had where someone said something only slightly rude to him. He then cut the guys legs off at the knees and left him crying. He said during and after the dream he felt absolutely no remorse whatsoever, and was only slightly angry. This scared him so he weened himself off the depressant and is fine now. He only needed them to get through some rough times. His point was that the drug seemed to suppress bad feelings whether they were warrented or not, such as when they should be present when doing or thinking cruel thoughts, such as shame, or horror for one's indecent thoughts or actions. His story reminded me of that news story I heard when Prozac first came out. This woman was on Prozac and killed her mother with a steak knife. She blamed it on Prozac. I see there might be a connection. My girlfriend has been on various antidepressants for 11 years and often times doesn't seem to be able to comprehend how she hurts. This is a major problem with us now. Has this "cold-blooded" side effect ever been noticed about antidepressants?, I knew a guy that said that taking Zoloft made him feel less bad. The problem was that he felt less bad when he was angry at someone as well. And if he dwelled on negative thoughts such as revenge he did not get the guilty feelings associated with these thoughts that would normally be there, and should be there. He was able to go-off on someone that angered him and do it with little guilt. He told me of a dream he had where someone said something only slightly rude to him. He then cut the guys legs off at the knees and left him crying. He said during and after the dream he felt absolutely no remorse whatsoever, and was only slightly angry. This scared him so he weened himself off the depressant and is fine now. He only needed them to get through some rough times. His point was that the drug seemed to suppress bad feelings whether they were warrented or not, such as when they should be present when doing or thinking cruel thoughts, such as shame, or horror for one's indecent thoughts or actions. His story reminded me of that news story I heard when Prozac first came out. This woman was on Prozac and killed her mother with a steak knife. She blamed it on Prozac. I see there might be a connection. My girlfriend has been on various antidepressants for 11 years and often times doesn't seem to be able to comprehend how she hurts. This is a major problem with us now. Has this "cold-blooded" side effect ever been noticed about antidepressants?
jillyk gave this response on 4/15/2000:
Zoloft is the brand name for an anti-depressant drug (Sertaline). It is mainly for the relief of depression that is intensly sad, tearful and despondent and worried continually. he person my feel guilt over nothing and had withdrawn from social contact. Whatever the feeling constant support and changes to the person's environment where necessary for part of the treatment. Your letter alarms me due to the fact that your friend appears to be having adverse side effect to this medication. I will not waffle on, however, if you know for sure that your friend is having any one of the following please take you friend immediately to the place where he was perscribed this medication and let them know what is going on, or seek emergency care immediately!!! It sounds like there is no time to buggerize around (sorry Aussie colloquialism).. agitation, delirium, confusion, nightmares and fits.
It might also help to know if your friend was taking any other medication. Zoloft should not be taken with the follwoing medication; Selgiline; tryptophan; fenfluramine; dexfenfluramine (appetitite suppressants); if your friend is taking llithium, ensure your friend has regular blood lithium level tests; any of these medications should be reviewed by a licensed practitoner.