I had been taking Effexor for 20 years. Three years ago, I developed panic attacks, depression, insomnia for no apparent reason. I was taking Effexor for fibromyalgia, not depression. Began seeing a therapist last year who explained that drugs often "poop out" with time, and that was causing my problems. Unfortunately, the hellish taper is still necessary even though the drug is no longer doing its job. In fact, the withdrawal is often much for difficult from a drug poop out. I wish so much I had never begun taking this drug, especially since I was not depressed or anxious before I took it. Live and learn the hard way.