Sertraline-Induced Amotivationel Syndrome in a 12-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report

Abstract

Sertraline is a safe and effective agent frequently used in the treatment of childhood depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Amotivational syndrome is also an important clinical manifestation characterized by decreased capacity to make and carry out long-term plans and lack of motivation. This report describes the development of amotivational syndrome in a 12-year-old girl receiving sertraline monotherapy and successful management of this side effect with discontinuation of sertraline and initiation of fluoxetine therapy. This case is presented because, to the best of our knowledge, there have been very few case reports regarding the development of sertraline-related amotivational syndrome and, more importantly, because of the very low number of case reports in which amotivational syndrome was managed by switching to a different selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.