Have you talked to your prescribing physician/therapist about this?
I have a long history of anti-depressant use, going back almost 50 years. Initially, for panic/anxiety attacks. Most severe episode was post partum depression about 30 years ago.
After being depression free for quite awhile, I restarted paxil in late 2020 due to stress of pandemic related income loss and death of several close friends/family.
Anti-depressants include a lot of options, and fortunately many more than when I was first prescribed one. Some have literally turned my life around. Others were actually toxic
(for me) and caused me to be nearly dysfunctional.
Of course I can't give you medical advice, but a few questions occur to me:
1. Many anti-depressants have sexual side effects. Have you discussed this with your medical team and tried something besides Effexor?
2. Are you stopping Effexor all at once, or trickling down the dosage slowly? I have not taken Effexor, many anti-depressants can have severe side effects if stopped cold turkey.
3. Are you in therapy as well as medication for your depression? Therapy, along with medication, saved my
ability to function and lead a (fairly!) normal, productive life. (Some therapists were worse than useless, by the way. If it doesn't feel helpful or even " right" , find someone else. Also with physicians.)
4. I have taken the time to educate myself about the medications I am prescribed. and would recommend reading all you can on reputable websites ( I have found Mayo Clinic, other major hospitals, Medscape and others helpful).
I understand where you're coming from and wish you the best.