my nursing opinion on excessive use of Zoloft

I typed in 'stopping Zoloft' into a search engine because I have recently tapered down my Zoloft schedule; I came across the previous postings of the various symptoms some of you have experienced, and I, like others, didnt corellate them to the cessation of Zoloft
I have been on Zoloft for appx 1 year.  One time, while at work as a pediatric nurse, I had the 'going nuts' episode because I had missed 2 consecutive doses.  I was absolutely inconsolable, hysterically crying for no obvious reason.  I knew that there was no reason to be so distressed, but I just couldn't stop.  I remember repeatedly saying "I feel like I'm losing my mind" while being consoled by a supervisor.  I had never felt this way BEFORE I started the med and was bewildered that I felt this way without it.
Recently I decided that I no longer needed the Zoloft therapy, that my depression was situational and temporary.  I still feel this way but the side effects of the Zoloft leaving my system are weird and frightening to the point that I have reconsidered my decision.
I tapered down pretty much like everyone else, cutting my 150mg dose to 100 x 1 week, 50 x 1 week, 25 x 1 week to 0.  I had NO side effects or symptoms while tapering, they began appx 3 days later.
Again, like others, I experienced weird sensations and symptoms but didn't immediately associate them with the Zoloft.  I experienced the thing where if I move my eyes quickly to the side, I get an almost dizzy feeling and I HEAR a fluid sound???  I have also had nightmares everynight for 2 weeks and even while I nap.  I have lost my balance twice ( ha ha funny the first time, not so much the second time).  I don't have any depression or suicidal thoughts, but these sensations are driving me there.  Twice now I have went to the bottle and taken 25mg just to ease the symptoms, and it has worked ( I know, not a good idea, but desperation is a *****).
I guess my whole point here is 'what a trade off'.  I sought anti-depressant therapy to try and ease my worried little mind and be able to focus on the bigger things that needed my attention, and yes, it worked.  But now that I KNOW I aam ok and can cope with my stressors, its like there is this nagging little bug screwing with my mind and senses.  Its scary.  I am a nurse, not a pharmacologist, but I am very interested in what exactly is causing these sensory problems.  I know the basic pharmacology on SSRI's and all the nursing considerations yada yada...but WHAT is this DOING TO MY BRAIN??  I will admit that I have abused a lot of drugs in my past, and NOTHING comes close to the lingering effects this drug has.  I really feel like sensory pathways are somehow damaged or something.  WTF?  Any one have ANY clue or helpful info?

[remar]

it make take several weeks to get over this. sorry to tell you that. are you having what feels like brain zaps if you move your head too fast? the nightmares and dizzyness are fairly common when stopping an antidepressant. i feel for you because i've stopped taking antidepressants several times and i know that even tapering them i will have weeks after that i feel like i'm going to loose my mind and just die. hang in there, it will get better , even though you tapered your still going through withdrawal. take care. remar