Questions about coming off Zoloft

[GoYourOwnWay]

I have read others' experiences of coming off SSRIs and wanted to get opinions on my situation. I'm 19 and started taking Zoloft (Sertraline 50mg) in June last year after a very difficult year of anxiety. I didn't want medication to be a long-term thing for me, so I focused a lot on CBT and only took meds for six months or so. I am now completely off the Zoloft and haven't taken any for almost two weeks. My symptoms are still very strong - brain zaps, dizziness and nausea. I have also been crying a lot over little things and I have been feeling sad most of the time. My anxiety is heightened since coming off Zoloft, which I expected. I'm going back to college tomorrow after being off for almost two months and I'm nervous that I won't be able to deal with it as well as I could on the Zoloft. I'm worried that this will make my anxiety come back strong again. I have a few questions:
1. Is it normal that my withdrawal symptoms are still going strong?
2. How long will this crying/sad thing last?
3. Is it likely that my anxiety will come back?

Thanks for any help given, much appreciated!

[jessed03]

Hey Go Your Own Way.

You're coming off your Zoloft pretty soon. If you feel you're right to, great, but they usually suggest being on an SSRI for up to 6 months after your symptoms stop.

As far as your questions go, it would be rare for severe Zoloft withdrawal symptoms to last longer than a month. If tapering is done properly, you should feel you're over the hump by then.

And your anxiety: anxiety is usually because of over-stimulation. If you've learnt to deal with it by developing better thinking habits and by incorporating relaxation, there's no reason why it should come back.

I hope you feel better soon!