Posted by Spencer on May 2, 2002, at 2:10:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Parks, posted by Nuthatch on April 30, 2002, at 23:52:09
What Jannbeau says is so true and her advice is worth taking note of.
I got into state of severe depression last year....My GP sent me to a psychiatrist who put me on Efexor XR 150mg a day. There are numerous side effects but when they are mixed with the symptoms of depression, it is hard to tell which are side effects and which are symptoms. Anyway eventually all the side effects and all the symptoms went away and I have been living a contented and fulfilling life for quite a few months now.
However, I think what turned me around was the cognitive therapy. The depression, I think, was in large part due to years of irrational negative thinking which eventually totally undermined my self confidence and deprived me of self esteem. The therapy (once a week for about 2-3 months) opened up a new world of more rational thinking, where I don't go into a state of anxiety reading all sorts of negative things into what is happening around me and about everything I say and do.
You must be feeling the effects of your loss, which I know from personal experience can cause major depression for many months. You may have depression for other reasons. But if you are not feeling too bad, try the therapy and see if you can cope without the medication. BUT if you find you really can't cope, and your work and life in general is suffering badly, then medication may be needed to get you out of the depression to a sufficient level that you can get the most out of the therapy. You won't achieve the best results from therapy if you are in a state of severe depression.
The only thing is that once you start taking anti-depressants, you will probably have to take them for at least 9 to 12 months. I have had excellent results from Efexor XR but this site proves that it does not work for everyone.
Good luck and keep us informed.
poster:Spencer
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104723.html