Yes, it does help and if you don't count that stopping causes awful withdrawal problems then, yes, it causes zero side effects.

I ended up with a bad panic attack on my walk yesterday. Why? My life is going pretty good so I didn't take my Zoloft for two days (It makes me feel great at first when I stop). On day three, a terrible panic attack (took my Zoloft after the walk plus the Xanax) then I couldn't sleep very well last night. I end up taking more Xanax when I cut the Zoloft back (don't like some of the side effects). Everytime I mess with the dose my psych prescribed, it causes problems. Are the problems because I need it for the rest of my life or because it is what my body is used to? When I went on it, I was coping with a stressful relationship issue but now I am coping with that better because of boundaries, self care, etc. Next session with my psychiatrist I plan to ask--do I need to stay on my medications for life? (Based on what I know about what happens when I cut them back). My panic attack yesterday seemed to be 100% physical--cognitively, I was at peace and not worrying about anything. My husband wondered if I was worrying about something subconsciously. I just don't know....