I went cold turkey, and the zaps were maddening for about two weeks. This was followed by about two weeks of gradually diminishing symptoms, and within a month it resolved itself. I wouldn't recommend it, but for me, the drug had caused a flip. I'd been on it for about twenty years and it worked for a while, but the last five were a nightmare of suicidal depression and uncontrollable rages, and no other emotions. I just faked it that I was OK, because I didn't want anyone to know (although the anger couldn't be hidden). The depression has been lifelong, but the anger was new and had started to threaten my marriage. Within a few days, even as the head zaps hit me relentlessly, the depression subsided and the rages simply went away. I did subsequently shift to different class of meds, and I do think they're helping. But getting off Effexor was the key turning point for me, and I feel like the suffering was worth it. I'm 100% convinced the drug had flipped me, and my psychiatrist feels it's likely the case. Within two weeks I went from monosyllabic at counseling sessions to fully opening up. My counselor noticed a dramatic change, as did my psychiatrist, and most importantly, my wife. Our marriage is no longer on the rocks.

That said, I basically went against medical advice, and I wouldn't suggest others follow my path unless they're really determined and absolutely need to get off of the drug. And they should probably talk with their provider, which I didn't do. I wasn't expecting the outcome I've had when I quit it. I did it in anger. But that's what happened. It clearly wasn't treating my depression, and as it turned out, it was fueling it to maximum level. I had been hospitalized last year on the edge of suicide. I no longer even experience the impulse and wonder why I ever felt it. I cannot tell you how good it feels to be out of that place. It was hard as hell to quit, but I'll never touch that stuff again.