I went on Effexor years ago when I was caretaking my mother with Alzheimer's. It was very effective for my depression, and an extra benefit was that it helped significantly with my tendency toward social anxiety. I had planned to stay on it for the rest of my life. My plans were derailed when I swung into a mania that lasted for months. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and the depression that followed was industrial strength. Goodby Effexor.......