Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@canadaanj- Welcome to Connect. I understand your fear and frustration. The mind/body connection is so complex it is very tough to figure things out. I call this the "What works for some people doesn't work for others" syndrome. It's so complex that it doesn't make it easy to figure things out, eve for doctors sometimes. It sounds as if you are having a mixture of reactions to your withdrawal. And I do think that you withdrew way too quickly. Remember that as you withdraw the feelings that you had before will return and are in a combined with withdrawal symptoms.
@jakedduck1 - Can you help @canadaanj come up with a better schedule for her? Thank you.
Feeling of Depersonalization are very very common for anxiety and depression. I sometimes get it even without withdrawing from any medication. I have a much longer history of anxiety and depression than 10 years. I think that you mean unreality and this fits in with the Depersonalization.
May I ask why you have been on an anti-depressant 10 years ago? Was there a major event that happened? I feel these feeling because I have PTSD. Might you have it too?

@canadaanj- Welcome to Connect. I understand your fear and frustration. The mind/body connection is so complex it is very tough to figure things out. I call this the "What works for some people doesn't work for others" syndrome. It's so complex that it doesn't make it easy to figure things out, eve for doctors sometimes. It sounds as if you are having a mixture of reactions to your withdrawal. And I do think that you withdrew way too quickly. Remember that as you withdraw the feelings that you had before will return and are in a combined with withdrawal symptoms.
@jakedduck1 - Can you help @canadaanj come up with a better schedule for her? Thank you.
Feeling of Depersonalization are very very common for anxiety and depression. I sometimes get it even without withdrawing from any medication. I have a much longer history of anxiety and depression than 10 years. I think that you mean unreality and this fits in with the Depersonalization.
May I ask why you have been on an anti-depressant 10 years ago? Was there a major event that happened? I feel these feeling because I have PTSD. Might you have it too?

What does depersonalization mean?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depersonalization-derealization-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352911

I was on prozac from age 26, I was depressed but looking back now, the psychiatrist put me on it way too fast. I had already been through some therapy with my husband at the time, he'd had an affair, and the therapist was very focused on how severe my reaction to the situation was. Not focused at all on him. (Religious counselor.... dont get me started on that patriarchal system). I switched to effexor when I was premenopausal and the anxiety was increasing. Here's the thing, nothing ever served to stabilize my moods. I'm 56 now and learning that I have ADHD, PTSD, and that my human design type completely explains the entire course of my life. (I realize HDS is not mainstream and I'm definitely not here on a promotional basis).
I firmly believe that my mind can and will heal. Yes, I may have a damaged central nervous system from the medications that I was prescribed. But there is no reason to believe that complete and total healing cannot occur. Remember, there is such a thing as neuroplasticity, my friends! We can and will heal from this. Guaranteed. Hope everyone is having a great day!