I haven't taken Cymbalta, but I am taking generic Celexa (citalopram) 20 mg/day with very good results, and I'm taking it for anxiety. I tapered off Effexor with no bridge and things were fine for several months, but then anxiety returned and kept getting stronger. My doctor tried me on Wellbutrin, which made things worse because one possible side effect is increased anxiety, so he took me off that and started me on citalopram. (I have a couple of friends who take it and it works for them, too -- they're both on a stronger dose, 40mg daily -- which I haven't needed.) I also take a generic beta blocker -- metaprolol, 25mg -- so that I don't get the big rush of adrenaline that can increase anxiety and trigger panic attacks. You might want to ask your doctor about trying you on a different medication. Good luck!!

I was on 25mg Effexor for 18 years for hot flashes and never had anxiety/fear/akathisia until I was off Effexor and all body fat stores were gone (about 6.5 weeks after my last tapered dose). I knew this "fake" fear was a withdrawal symptom because I had a rather startling episode of this when I experienced serotonin syndrome while on Effexor.

I started taking a number of supplements. GABA, ashwaganda and l-methylfolate (a prescription B vitamin) have helped most. I also used kava and Ben*dryl (helps with that rush of adrenaline that @kbmayo mentioned and the fight/flight reaction described by @secretwhitepop; I get this as a shaky, "squiggly" feeling in my chest) quite a bit for 3-6 months. My doctor also prescribed 5mg Valium to take as needed--I track my use and I used 1/2 of a tablet for a day, or two every 2-3 weeks at first and about every 4-5 weeks now.