To @summertime4. I am happy that you found my post useful. It makes me feel good. Whatever I have written is from my own, first-hand experience.

Let me now mention a few other things. I am alive today because after becoming ill more than 25 years ago, I decided to read as much as possible about my illness and the different medications used to treat them. When my illness began, the internet was not widely available, so I read as much printed literature as I could find. But from the year 2006, I had access to the internet, and then I began intensive research on my illness and the medications. In a few years, I learnt a great deal. That was what saved my life.

I was able to figure out whether the psychiatrist treating me was advising me correctly or not. If I felt that he was not open to my feedback, or did not have empathy, I stopped consulting him and simply found another doctor who would listen to my concerns with respect and empathy. In the process, sometimes I had to change several doctors, but I didn't mind, because it was my life at stake, not the doctor's.

I regret to say this--but it is a fact--that not all psychiatrists listen respectfully to the concerns of their patients [who are going through hell], and treat them as guinea pigs for experimenting with various kinds of drugs. I know of people who have taken their own lives as a result of the callous attitudes of highly-qualified psychiatrists.

So the short point is that please make sure that your doctor listens to you and takes your concerns on board during the treatment.

Coming to the points made by you, if Effexor is helping you, please continue to take it. I never meant to say that nobody should take Effexor. It is a very effective drug if it suits the patient. It seems to be suiting you, so please continue it. However, it did not suit me, and I am not alone. Effexor has one of the highest rates of what is known as "Adverse Drug Events" or ADE, which simply means it does not work for a lot of people [and that includes me]. But for those for whom it works, it is a very good drug.

Second, I have found that some people think that taking any drugs for a mental illness is bad. These people belong to the " I don't want to take all these drugs" category, mentioned by you. Depression and anxiety are real, chronic illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. I can't understand why taking drugs lifelong for these illnesses is OK, but not for mental illnesses. I have seen many people suffering from mental illness who are in a hurry to taper their drugs as soon as they start feeling well. And I have also seen doctors advising them to do so. The result, in many, many cases is a relapse, which is more difficult to treat than before. It may also result in a tragedy.

I think serious mental illness has a significant biological component, and for treating it medication is absolutely essential. Psychotherapy is also very helpful, but it is not a substitute for medication. Ideally, both are required. They complement each other. In case of mild mental illness, psychotherapy alone may be enough. Medication may not be required.

But in case of serious mental illness, like mine, there is no escape from medication. I have been on medication for the last 25 years, and I know that I would be on it for the rest of my life. I have accepted that reality. I have accepted my mortality. That is necessary, because without an acceptance of mortality a patient of mental illness would always be in a hurry to stop his/her medication, which would inevitably lead to a relapse, and worse.

I am very sorry to learn about the passing away of your dear husband, and your grief, which is natural. Have you tried counselling? It is very helpful in such cases. May his soul rest in peace.

Finally, I am very happy that you felt optimism after reading my comment. I can tell you that my illness is much more severe than yours. You wouldn't believe it if I told you how many drugs I am taking and in what doses. In case of at least two drugs, I am taking their maximum doses! So if I can be well, why can't you?

I wish you good health and have no doubt you can be very well with proper medication. Just don't be in a hurry to start tapering as soon as you start feeling well. You may have to be on medication for the rest of your life, like me, because mental illness is just like any other chronic illness. My prayers are with you, and happy Thanksgiving.