Zoloft side effects | ADHD Information

Hi.  I have a 8yo son. He has never had any problems with his attention, focus, etc. until the last several months.  Back in the spring he was having trouble sleeping well because of snoring.  He got his tonsils removed and started to sleep without thrashing about every couple of breaths.  Before getting his tonsils out(when not sleeping well) he began to cry and not want to go to school, etc.  he was crying at school, couldn't stand to be away from me etc.  He had NEVER been like that even as a toddler.  Doctor felt he was depressed probably due to sleep deprivation.  He started him on Zoloft.  We went to counseling as well to make sure there was nothing else going on and came up with nothing.   Anyway, I didn't notice if he had behavior changes in the beginning on the zoloft because he was already such a mess.  However, over the summer I began to notice he can not remember anything, is extremely disorganized, cannot follow commands(especially if given more than one at a time), etc.  He is driving me crazy.  I feel like I am constantly fussing at him for the same things every day.  Can Zoloft cause inability to focus, etc?  Doc said it wasn't zoloft because it didn't start right away.  I'm not sure it didn't.  We are planning to wean Zoloft around Christmas to see how he does.  Teacher says grades are great but he is one of the worst for being disorganized, forgetful, etc.  We just put his 11yo sister on Vyvanse(after fight with doc and husband) for inattentive ADHD.  She however, had always seemed that way to me.  it just got worse as the school demands became more.  Thanks for any help. 

What dosage of Zoloft is he taking?  Can you try lowering the dose and seeing if you see the same things?  Remember that it takes the body up to 3-4 weeks to see the full impact of any increase or decrease in Zoloft.

My child's doctor said that Zoloft can make ADHD worse.  For my child, a dose that was too high led to rushed schoolwork, poor handwriting, incomplete answers on work, not reading directions accurately, being bossy with peers, being physical with his brother and sometimes with peers at recess.... Basically, heightened impulsivity. 

IDK about someone who never had ADHD, but it seems reasonable your child's new behaviors might be a side effect to the medicine, especially since it sounds like he never exhibited them before taking Zoloft.  My child has found Tenex (guanfacine is the generic) very helpful for controlling his anxiety.  We use a combo. of a lower dose of Zoloft and guanfacine.  Also, we've found that splitting the Zoloft dose helps.  His body couldn't handle taking 25 mg all at once, but he's doing great on 12.5 mg in the morning and 12.5 mg at night.

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