Zoloft is an antidepressant medication that has been linked with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental disability which can cause problems with communication and social interaction. Though autism has no known cure, treatments can be made to minimize the symptoms of the condition. Some of these treatments are behavioural therapies to reinforce positive behaviour and remove or minimize unwanted ones. These therapies can also be in conjunction with medications just like talk therapies and antidepressants in kids with OCD.
Symptoms of Autism
Generally, these signs and symptoms are seen in people with autism regardless of the severity of the condition.
• Troubles with both spoken and unspoken communication. Problems with communication may depend on the type of the disorder that the person has under the spectrum.
• Difficulty in dealing with social situations and with socialization in general. Generally, these people find it hard to share their feelings, talk and understand others.
• Repetitive behaviours are also seen in people with autism. This does not only apply to actions but also to repetition of words. Most of those with autism have an obsessive nature over a specific topic or routine up to a point where they easily get upset when there are changes.
Disorders Under Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Autistic Disorder
This is also known as classic autism. This is viewed as the most severe where communication problems as well as problems with social interaction are distinguished. They are also easily distracted with noise, colors and textures. They have rituals or routines and changes can greatly upset them.
• Asperger’s Syndrome
People under Asperger’s syndrome have autism-like symptoms but they have normal intelligence and they don’t have speech impairments. They however have problems with social interaction and communication. They also tend to have an obsession over a single obiect and they have the tendency to ignore other topics or objects. This is identified as the mildest form of autism.
• Atypical Autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)
This disorder has symptoms of classic autism and some of those under pervasive developmental disoders. Individuals having this condition may have problems in speech and interaction and they are extremely sensitive to the environment.
There are a lot of factors that may be considered as risk for the child to acquire autism and one of them is medications. Studies have shown that autism and other disorders under the spectrum can be considered as Zoloft birth defects, which is why pregnant women should be careful in taking antidepressants especially during the third trimester of pregnancy.
