Over the past few weeks I have been tapering off of Efexor-XR—an antidepressant—on the advice of my doctor. A number of people on Twitter have suggested that I write an account of the experience, perhaps to help others who discontinue the drug.
First, a little background. I have Major Depression. I was first diagnosed in 2001, although a later psychiatric assessment suggests I have had Depression since the mid 1990’s (my early teens). Throughout my Depression I have felt frustrated that my doctors have only ever treated me with medication, that they simply “threw drugs at the problem” to get me out of their office. Mid-2007 I began searching for a doctor that would take my Depression seriously.