"i went to my doctor after suffering several years of depression. i was in my late twenties and had been feeling strong suicidal depression since my mid teens. i went to a doctor finally and after talking to me for about three minutes, he prescribed venlafaxine (effexor brand) i started out at a low dose, and kept getting my dosage raised every time i went back to the same doctor. each time my dosage was raised, i was feeling worse. the doctor just said it takes time to work. after almost a year of taking this junk, eventually at the highest dosage, i was self mutilating and always suicidal. doctor was just looking for a kickback from the pharmaceutical company i suspect. i quit it cold turkey and that was about the same as being on the drug"