stopping zoloft

Hi in the past when I was kid and taking zoloft I hated it and sometimes just stopped taking it without tapering properly or at all. I was also on a high dose...150 mg. I never had a seizure or anything like that, but I was wondering what the effects of doing this are? I mean I don't do it anymore, but I did it because I was a rebellious stupid kid, who didn't like zoloft and was embarassed about being on it. I did this a number of times. Does it cause permanent brain damage even if you don't have a seizure...because I remember feeling really sick but then getting better as time went on and I either toughed out the withdrawal symptoms or went back on the medicine. There was a couple  years were I was off and on zoloft, trying to get by without it, but then I would always have to go back on it. I know I need it now and continuously take it, but the nature of my illness (OCD) makes me worry incesently about the past. By the way this is seriously the last question I have to ask. I hope I can get this cleared up. Your answers to my questions mean an awful lot to me, thank you so much.

Derek

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Derek, there should be no concern about permanent brain damage from going off Zoloft the way you describe.

[boyzrtoys]

Well.. My mom was given Zoloft, but i dunno why b/c she's not like really depressed or anything. At times she could be but that is seldom. She never took them and she is ok. Me on the other hand could use some. Well i'm not really sure. What if i were to take the Zoloft? If i were to need it then i would feel better right? And if I felt funny then it means i dont need it? I am scared to go to the doctor and talk about myself b/c what if i get institutionalized? So i'd rather just test the drug. If you really aren't supposed to take it or if there is no chemical imbalance and you take zoloft.. would you feel a high? and if you did need it then would you feel normal? I know what normal feels like b/c that is when I Am the happiest. So, is it ok to take Zoloft to see if i were to really need it? Like to find out for sure if i suffer from depression?

[cmsmraan]

boysrtoyz:

If your body doesn't need Zoloft it won't do a thing for you.  I have been taking it for 8 years during which I had 2 pregnancies and breastfed them while on 200 mg a day.  It is the antidepressant they prescribe for nursing mothers with postpartum depression because it is very safe for the baby.  If your body doesn't need it, the zoloft is basically sloughed off as I understand.