Anonymous asked this question on 4/19/2000:

I've been taking Zoloft for almost seven years. When I try to go without it symptoms make my life miserable and I go back on...however, lately I think it's not working - I have running thoughts at night, when I should be sleeping, and I have a more flat affect during the day. I'm frightened. I imagine the zoloft's effectiveness is wearing out, that my body's system has grown too used to it - NOW WHAT?!

NRO_Sx gave this response on 4/24/2000:

I agree with the other responders who suggest you see a professional (and by that I mean a psychiatrist and not a GP). I am concerned with one of the statements you made about trying to go without Zoloft. If you take a drug holiday (i.e. you do not take your Zoloft for three or more days in a row), it will take up to two weeks of regularly scheduled doses of the drug before your depressive symptoms improve. Since you have been taking Zoloft for so long (and I'm assuming it has worked for you in the past), it is dangerous to your mental health to try to stop taking it. There must be reasons behind why you "try to go without it" ... please write back and tell me what these are so I can give you specific advice. Best wishes, NRO_Sx

The average rating for this answer is 4.

Anonymous rated this answer a 4.

Hi, Thank you for the information. In the past twice I attempted to go without Zoloft because I felt discouraged that I 'needed' it to cope. I will not take a holiday from it - I didn't like the consequences, and I will see a psychiatrist for assistance determining what course of action to pursue (further psychotherapy, dosage change, medicine change) before I do anything else.