"at 56 years old and being raised to &quot;put on a happy face&quot;, i can finally say i feel happy and emotionally alive. depression had consumed me for 35+ years. i was a hollow shell. talk therapy did nothing. once the dr. discovered the brain had damage to the neurotransmitter/receptors and started me on slowly increasing doses of effexor xr the depression cleared. i now take 150mg daily. there has been no negative side effects. it&#039;s been 3 years now. people who know me well are extremely supportive; those who don&#039;t know my &quot;history&quot; would be surprised learning i take an antidepressant. only rated as a 9 because long term/life long use is unknown still."