"effexor was a mixed bag for me -  it was very numbing, and the side effects (which lingered for years after i stopped taking it) were awful. i attempted suicide a few weeks after starting it, because i was still depressed but was more numbed to the guilt i would usually feel. be careful of this, make sure someone is aware if you feel at risk. it took a few months, but i began to feel positive things again, but eventually i was stuck in a zombie state where the side effects outweighed the good. i tried it on a few occasions with the same result: taking myself off them because i wanted to feel again. the best advice i can give is to see a psychiatrist, not a gp. there is a range of medicines, make sure you get the one that is tailored to you."