"i&#039;ve now been on paroxetine for about 10 years, for severe, chronic depression. i was on prozac for roughly 15 years before it appeared to lose its effectiveness, so i was prescribed this instead. my initial dose was 40mg daily. it was initially extremely effective as an anti-depressant, and i went from being hospitalized for a week every year for my own safety, to 6 years without a hospitalization. just a &#039;blip&#039; in mood every year instead of a crash. however, i&#039;m now on 80mg, and the side-effects at this dose are appalling - chronic insomnia, 100lb weight gain, constant tiredness, muscle aches, migraines, memory loss, zero libido and all-round apathy. attempting to drop my dosage results in uncontrollable weeping, numbness and terror."