I would definitely listen to your body--it's totally fine if medication doesn't work for you, and it's also fine if you need it to function. if you sense medication would help you immensely, maybe it is worth a try? but if you still have questions, try and ask your doctor.

if you decide to take zoloft, your doctor should always be able to help adjust dosages / switch medications if zoloft isn't helping. additionally, if you ever feel like stopping, they should be able to gradually taper your dosage to wean you off, so that withdrawal symptoms (if any) are more manageable.

as for me:
I can only speak personally (I can't speak to your decisions or body's needs), but medication has been helpful for me even though I too was initially worried. I'm currently on escitalopram, also known as lexapro. the first few weeks were tough with side effects--nausea, blunted emotional range (i.e. wasn't feeling as extremely depressed anymore but also had a hard time feeling pleasure), and fatigue.

I'm now about 2 months in. I had been so used to being sad that anything other than depression felt scary--but looking back right now, I realize I'm glad I don't feel suicidal anymore.