This morning I re-read this post and thread, wrote a comment and realised I had more to say. This is cross-posted from my blog.…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Christopher Pittman: 12-year Old Killer Charged As An Adult - Comments Page 2
Article comments
26 - Jason
I've been on Zoloft for 10 years. I started taking it when I was already an adult, so I wasn't susceptible the issues that the current black box warns about.
Let me tell you, if you stop taking Zoloft without weening yourself off of it SLOWLY (just like you slowly build up your dosage to the prescribed amount), you WILL have problems.
This is not speculation. This is not some conspiracy theory. This is truth. It is called SSRI discontinuation syndrome and it is terrible.
When my insurance wouldn't cover my pills and I couldn't afford the price tag, I went an week without.
It was miserable. I had a constant tingling sensation in my brain and found it impossible to concentrate. I was having severe mood swings between anger and desperation.
That week was something I hope to never experience the likes of again.
I know from talking to other people who have been on SSRI (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Zoloft and Paxil) that the doctor's aren't doing enough to explain how vitally important it is to follow his or her instruction on dosage exactly. You DO NOT ramp up your dosage unless prescribed and you DO NOT just decide to quit taking it and stop on your own.
When I learned about this particular story, my first thought was "yes, I believe that Zoloft withdrawal could drive someone to commit horrific acts." The fact that the jury just didn't think that was possible shows that the defense team did a lousy job.
Zoloft is a DRUG that ALTERS YOUR BRAIN CHEMISTRY. Of course it can drive someone to do things they wouldn't normally do! That's the point! It is just that they are designed to help people overcome chemical imbalances in the brain, not to fix a temporary problem that should be handled with traditional therapy.
I saw a psychologist for a year and a half before she referred me to a psychiatrist who ended up prescribing Zoloft. It seems like many people end up on anti-depressants when they really just need time, love, and attention.
This is what happens.
27 - Taxpayer in New York
To all the people who have felt sorry for "little Chris", take a look at his NC Dept of Corrections picture, then when he gets out - lets see how brave all of you are when he points a double barrel 20 gauge shotgun at you - just be sure to wear a Depends peepee pad.
He was never declared insane. He of his own will picked up a shotgun, pumped it several times and killed two human beings.
What part do you idiots don't get?
And don't read me the "lack of compassion BS", I'm raising (AND adopting) a foster child who is 7.