Latest news with #ADHD
Time Business News
8 hours ago
- Health
- Time Business News
How Fast Does Zoloft vs Lexapro Start Working?
When it comes to treating depression and anxiety disorders, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are among the most commonly prescribed medications. Both are effective, but many patients and providers wonder: how fast does zoloft vs lexapro start working? Understanding the onset of action for these medications is important when managing expectations and treatment plans. While both drugs work similarly by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, their speed of effectiveness can vary slightly depending on individual factors. Managing both ADHD and anxiety in adults requires a thoughtful approach to medication. Stimulants like Vyvanse and non-stimulants such as Strattera are often prescribed, but finding the right fit depends on individual needs and medical history. Some adults may benefit from medications that also have anti-anxiety properties, like certain antidepressants or guanfacine. The best ADHD medication for adults with anxiety balances focus and calm without worsening symptoms. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to tailor treatment effectively, ensuring both conditions are addressed safely. Personalized plans often lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life. Zoloft and Lexapro belong to the SSRI class of antidepressants, which function by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, sleep, and anxiety. By blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons, SSRIs help stabilize mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, the physiological changes they initiate in the brain take time, meaning these medications do not work instantly. Zoloft, the brand name for sertraline, is commonly prescribed for major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). After beginning treatment, some patients report mild improvements—such as reduced anxiety or improved sleep—within the first one to two weeks. However, these early benefits are usually subtle. The full therapeutic effects of Zoloft often take 4 to 6 weeks to become evident. In cases of OCD or more severe depression, it may take up to 8 weeks or longer. The timeline may be influenced by factors such as dosage, consistency of use, individual metabolism, and whether the patient is taking other medications. It's crucial to continue taking Zoloft as prescribed, even if benefits are not immediately noticeable. Lexapro, or escitalopram, is also widely used for depression and anxiety disorders. It is generally considered one of the more tolerable SSRIs, with a slightly quicker onset for some users. Many patients report feeling some improvement within 1 to 2 weeks, particularly with anxiety symptoms. This early response may include reduced nervousness, better sleep, and improved energy. Like Zoloft, the full antidepressant effects of Lexapro may take 4 to 6 weeks. However, some research and patient reports suggest that Lexapro may reach peak effectiveness slightly faster in certain individuals compared to Zoloft. For anxiety in particular, Lexapro may offer more rapid relief, making it a preferred first-line treatment in some clinical settings. While both medications share a similar overall timeline, Lexapro may begin relieving anxiety symptoms a bit sooner for some people. This difference is not always dramatic, but in cases where early symptom control is critical, Lexapro may be preferred. Zoloft might take slightly longer to kick in, especially for mood-related symptoms, but it may be more effective in treating a broader range of conditions such as OCD and PTSD. Lexapro, on the other hand, is generally favored for anxiety and has a more favorable side effect profile for many users. Several factors can impact how quickly a person feels the effects of Zoloft or Lexapro: Individual biology: Genetic makeup, brain chemistry, and metabolism affect how a person responds to medication. Genetic makeup, brain chemistry, and metabolism affect how a person responds to medication. Dosage: Starting doses are often low and gradually increased, which can delay noticeable effects. Starting doses are often low and gradually increased, which can delay noticeable effects. Consistency: Taking medication at the same time each day helps maintain stable levels in the bloodstream. Taking medication at the same time each day helps maintain stable levels in the bloodstream. Other medications or conditions: Interactions with other drugs or underlying health issues can slow down or speed up effectiveness. Interactions with other drugs or underlying health issues can slow down or speed up effectiveness. Lifestyle: Sleep, diet, exercise, and substance use can all influence how well SSRIs work. It is common for patients to feel frustrated while waiting for SSRIs like Zoloft or Lexapro to take full effect. During the initial weeks of treatment, it's important to focus on incremental improvements. These might include better sleep, reduced irritability, or slightly improved concentration. Regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider can help track progress and determine if dose adjustments or medication changes are needed. Sometimes, initial side effects—such as nausea, headaches, or increased anxiety—may appear before improvement sets in. These effects often resolve within a few weeks. Patients are encouraged to communicate openly with their doctors and not to stop taking the medication abruptly, as this may cause withdrawal symptoms or worsen the condition. The decision between Zoloft and Lexapro should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. If quick relief from anxiety is the priority, Lexapro may offer a slightly faster onset. If the individual has symptoms of OCD or PTSD, Zoloft might be the better option. Both medications are generally well-tolerated and highly effective, but the best choice will depend on the individual's symptoms, medical history, and response to treatment. Both Zoloft and Lexapro are effective SSRIs, but their onset of action can vary slightly depending on individual factors. Lexapro may begin to ease anxiety symptoms within the first 1 to 2 weeks for some users, while Zoloft's benefits might take a bit longer to emerge, particularly for depression. Regardless of which medication is prescribed, it's important to be patient and consistent with treatment. With the right support and follow-up, both medications can offer significant improvements in mood, anxiety, and overall quality of life. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Heartbreak High star found connection through playing dress-ups
When it comes to texture, teddy bears are one of Heartbreak High actor Chloe Hayden's favourite things to touch. 'I don't even know if I could count how many teddy bears I have, probably hundreds. It's ridiculous. Any time I go anywhere that has teddy bears, a theme park, a zoo, an aquarium, I will be purchasing one and I choose it solely based on how soft it is.' It's no surprise then that as guest curator for the first exhibition in new program Powerhouse Materials, vintage teddy bears and an Akira Isogawa bear backpack are among Hayden's picks to display. The actor and disability rights advocate dug through the museum's archives, which include more than 500,000 objects, to come up with her 17 favourite things. Her chosen pieces focus on textiles (the next curator in the program will be children's author Andy Griffiths looking at paper later this year) with Hayden offering a neurodiverse perspective as an autistic person also diagnosed with ADHD. 'Textiles have been such an important part in being able to express my identity,' she says. 'I would always play dress-up in different situations. I grew up selectively verbal and would struggle to speak to the people around me and to connect to the surroundings, so being able to play dress-up was how I was able to find that connection.' Powerhouse Materials: Textiles also offers a glimpse into Hayden's love of horses and cows, with the actor having ridden horses since she was four years old and represented Australia as a professional cowgirl. To show her affinity with the animals, included in the exhibition is a rocking horse, a miniature set of armour for a horse and knight, a cow robot and – her personal favourite – a trio of cow figurines she has nicknamed Margaret, Bertha and Penelope. Best known for her breakthrough role as autistic student Quinni in Netflix's global hit Heartbreak High, a reimagining of the 1990s teen drama, Hayden recently wrapped up filming the still-to-be-released third and final season of the show. The series has received several AACTA Awards and an International Emmy, while Hayden herself this month received a Silver Logie nomination for best supporting actress. Hayden describes Heartbreak High 's approaching end as 'bittersweet'. 'I grew up never seeing myself represented and I found my representation in Disney princesses and fantasy characters. I could never see myself in a real person. Getting the opportunity to be someone who I so desperately needed when I was young is exciting. I receive messages every single day from people who have watched the show and say that they now understand themselves better or their child or friend or sibling or student a bit better. People have gotten their autism diagnoses because of Quinni. Genuine representation is literally life-saving.' For Hayden, the Powerhouse exhibition is a chance for fans of her acting or popular social media presence to get an even more authentic glimpse of her.
The Age
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
How Heartbreak High star found connection through playing dress-ups
When it comes to texture, teddy bears are one of Heartbreak High actor Chloe Hayden's favourite things to touch. 'I don't even know if I could count how many teddy bears I have, probably hundreds. It's ridiculous. Any time I go anywhere that has teddy bears, a theme park, a zoo, an aquarium, I will be purchasing one and I choose it solely based on how soft it is.' It's no surprise then that as guest curator for the first exhibition in new program Powerhouse Materials, vintage teddy bears and an Akira Isogawa bear backpack are among Hayden's picks to display. The actor and disability rights advocate dug through the museum's archives, which include more than 500,000 objects, to come up with her 17 favourite things. Her chosen pieces focus on textiles (the next curator in the program will be children's author Andy Griffiths looking at paper later this year) with Hayden offering a neurodiverse perspective as an autistic person also diagnosed with ADHD. 'Textiles have been such an important part in being able to express my identity,' she says. 'I would always play dress-up in different situations. I grew up selectively verbal and would struggle to speak to the people around me and to connect to the surroundings, so being able to play dress-up was how I was able to find that connection.' Powerhouse Materials: Textiles also offers a glimpse into Hayden's love of horses and cows, with the actor having ridden horses since she was four years old and represented Australia as a professional cowgirl. To show her affinity with the animals, included in the exhibition is a rocking horse, a miniature set of armour for a horse and knight, a cow robot and – her personal favourite – a trio of cow figurines she has nicknamed Margaret, Bertha and Penelope. Best known for her breakthrough role as autistic student Quinni in Netflix's global hit Heartbreak High, a reimagining of the 1990s teen drama, Hayden recently wrapped up filming the still-to-be-released third and final season of the show. The series has received several AACTA Awards and an International Emmy, while Hayden herself this month received a Silver Logie nomination for best supporting actress. Hayden describes Heartbreak High 's approaching end as 'bittersweet'. 'I grew up never seeing myself represented and I found my representation in Disney princesses and fantasy characters. I could never see myself in a real person. Getting the opportunity to be someone who I so desperately needed when I was young is exciting. I receive messages every single day from people who have watched the show and say that they now understand themselves better or their child or friend or sibling or student a bit better. People have gotten their autism diagnoses because of Quinni. Genuine representation is literally life-saving.' For Hayden, the Powerhouse exhibition is a chance for fans of her acting or popular social media presence to get an even more authentic glimpse of her.
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Woman looks unrecognizable after losing 8st following a toxic break-up
Amy Salmon, from Essex in the UK, reveals her jaw-dropping transformation after losing 8st as part of an incredible revenge glow-up after a bad break up last March left her confidence in tatters. At 17st, the 31-year-old business owner decided to undergo gastric sleeve surgery and she showed off the incredible results on TikTok. Amy, who's a mom-of-two, was inspired to make the change after calling it quits with her long-term partner and since people told her she looked like 'two different people'. Amy even admitted that she's 'unrecognizable' from her former self. Before embarking on her weight-loss journey, she was struggling with a binge-eating disorder that left her feeling 'horrific'. She said she was 'miserable, had no confidence, didn't know her worth, and was completely lost'. It was after looking through pictures of herself from a night out that she made the snap decision to change her 'unhealthy' habits. At first, she tried more typical methods, restricting what she ate and exercising, but found that nothing was working for her. In her TikTok, Amy said: 'I'd battled with my weight my entire life, I'd tried every way to lose weight. Nothing stuck, had two babies in two years and had a serious binge-eating problem due to undiagnosed ADHD.' She turned her attention to other avenues for weight-loss and eventually decided to travel to Egypt for the sleeve gastrectomy. Amy said: 'I had thought about a gastric sleeve for a very long time, I did so much research.' After paying for the operation, she immediately noticed her weight start to slip. On TikTok, she's also showed off her incredible transformation in a series of before-and-after pictures. One photo montage showed what she looked like at 17st, which amassed over 400,000 views, which left viewers in awe at her incredible transformation. Alongside a glam selfie, Amy said: 'Here I am, over 7st down less than one year post sleeve - best decision I ever made.' Explaining how she had used the procedure to aid her journey, she told viewers she was the 'happiest and healthiest' that she's ever been. One person commented: 'People not realizing cortisol plays a huge part in an unhappy relationship = weight gain.' A second said: 'The glow-up after you break up from a toxic person is real.' Another added: 'Took me a few swipes back and forth to realize it's the same person! Major glow-up!' And Amy's transformation didn't end there, she also worked to perfect her appearance further with Botox and hair extensions.
12 hours ago
- Health
Impact of cannabis use on male fertility
Dr. Alok Patel answers viewer questions about male fertility, the positives of a short nap during the day and a new study on ADHD medications.
