I'd add that my psychiatrist started me on Lamictal, and I do think that has been part of my recovery from the depression. But the changes began before I even started it. One option might be to stay on that one and drop the Effexor and see what happens. When I rage quit, I was on both Effexor and Abilfy. I had seen a reduction in depressive episodes since the Abilify was introduced, but it kind of flattened me out emotionally. I think it kept the effects of the Effexor at bay for a while, but eventually the Effexor outstripped it. Or, at least, that's my theory about what happened. Because after about six months of Effexr plus Abilify, I was suicidal again. You might ask your physician if just taking Lamictal is an option.

I cannot stress enough how my entire outlook changed when I got off Effexor. It was night and day.