I just wondered if anyone else has been on this medication for a really long time and what your experiences are? I'm about to go back on it, after trying out tapering off after five years to see if my anxiety symptoms would return, which they have.
I just wonder why, because I'd always had the impression anxiety tend to resolve over time, and my life is pretty good atm with no major/obvious triggers for anxiety. Just normal things like a few minor work frustrations and worries as a parent - in the context that I like my job, home life is peaceful and my son, who has autism plus ADHD, will be going to secondary school soon but is really doing well, happy, has friends, no meltdowns etc. But I'm just really easily triggered by things when I'm off sertraline, anxiety and irritability just pop back up like they never went away. I'm also more emotional but not necessarily in a bad way, I just find I'm moved more easily by music or a sad storyline in a film, that kind of thing.
Am I just one of those people with slightly wonky brain chemistry? I'm lucky the medication works so well but I wish I understood why I seem to need it permanently in order to function properly! I suppose I just associate that more with conditions like bipolar rather than anxiety or depression, which are usually described more as temporary or possibly recurring issues.