@renwald
Irritability and rage are most certainly known Effexor withdrawal symptoms.

"Anger – Do you feel like you are ready to rage? This is likely a result of stopping your medication. You aren’t able to feel as good as you did on the medication so your brain is trying to compensate. This may make you become increasingly hostile and a tough person to hang out with for awhile.... Irritability – Every little thing may get on your nerves or ‘set you off.’ Try your best to relax and control yourself around others."--https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/03/12/effexor-xr-withdrawal-symptoms-how-long-will-they-last/

"According to Richard C. Shelton, M.D., a psychiatry professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, there's a name for what I was experiencing: rage attacks. They most likely result from decreased production of serotonin—the neurotransmitter that SSRIs [SNRIs also affect serotonin] increase in the brain—which can lead to aggression, says psychiatrist Steven P. Levine, M.D."--https://www.glamour.com/story/going-off-my-ssris-rage-attacks

Also--https://www.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/3erkjn/weaning_off_effexor_extremely_irritable_and_angry/
https://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f30/effexor-withdrawal-will-this-go-away-55413/
https://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/uncontrollable-rage-with-effexor-withdrawal
I certainly agree with your avoidance of provocative stimulation and news programs. There are some murder mysteries (books and TV) that are just too violent for me right now and I also found atonal, or music in minor key extremely bothersome.

It's not clear if you are still tapering. If you are, it sounds like you are going too fast. Usually when a taper is too much, the recommendation is to go back to the dose where you didn't experience withdrawal symptoms and stay there for a while before attempting another taper–usually to not such a drastic drop.

I tapered off very slowly from only 25mg, but had been on Effexor for 18 years. Six weeks after the last dose, I began having discontinuation symptoms. I am taking supplements (including l-tryptophan and GABA) which help tremendously, but when akathisia occurs, I've had to take Valium (prescribed for this).

Talk to your doctor about your rages. S/he may prescribe something to help.

I've been completely off for a week now -- and while I wouldn't call my moods "flash rages" - I am very aware of my irritability...particularly in the afternoon to evening. Two suggestions: first - don't do this without some medical supervision. While tapering off Effexor isn't usually dangerous (except to those people who might turn into collateral damage when my moods swing)...it can be very unpleasant....a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist can help you work through the bumps...sometimes it's just knowing what to expect. Second, it sounds like you may be taking immediate release (not XR) Effexor. It might be worth looking into an extended release formulation....it's a question for the doctor....but it might help a bit.

I started to taper about 2 months ago. I was on 150 for about 5 years, then 75 for 5 weeks, then 37.5 for 7 days. I went to see my primary and he first told me to just stop completely. I asked about the brain zaps, he said I would get them. He then gave me 20 mg for 10 days. Take for 3 days then every other until they run out. He acted surprised I wanted to d/c the drug. Asked if I was sure I was ready? Really? This wasn't supposed to be a permanent fix. I was put on them for anxiety 4 years ago after my husband died to help me get through..I think 4 years is long enough.
Brain zaps are already horrible along with dizziness and feeling off balance. My boyfriend is no support at all. He doesn't believe in "brain" pills to begin with. He came from a family of mental illness and thinks he is the expert on it all. I could just scream!! Actually I do at him constantly, I want to slap the crap out of him. Our relationship is rocky to begin with so this is just the icing on the cake. He needs to be the next thing to get rid of along with his 3 spoiled needy kids...(only 1 lives with us, the rest we taxi everywhere because mom is no good) that is a totally separate discussion needed...LOL
I am going to continue with the taper. I w/o to help with the anger issues and try to stay busy all the time. The menopause symptoms don't really help, but I refuse to go on any type of meds after this ordeal. I don't get why I have read these are prescribed for night sweats? I have had night sweats do to menopause, this crap never helped with them ever. I was hoping they would get better once I stopped. I am hopeful. I am glad I found this site. I didn't realize how many people were suffering from the same nor did I realize stopping would be this difficult.. Best wishes to all of you out there. I look forward to reading on for suggestions. I will be getting benadryl this evening.