"if i was not on effexor (in combination with lithium &amp; seroquel), truthfully, i would not be here to write this.  with investigation by my psychiatrist into  my medical records, we identified i have been bipolar for 40 years.  many of them i was not treated, even though i spent three different times in a &quot;mental&quot; facility.  the only identification for me was that i was a difficult and troubled person.  when i finally met the psychiatrist i have today, with his help and his innate understanding of what bipolar is, it only took 3 or 4 different prescriptions to finally arrive at effexor giving me the best overall help.  as i mentioned earlier, this prescription has truly been a life saver.  no bothersome side effects."