effexor withdrawelo

After 20 years of anti-depressant addiction, I finally weaned myself off effexor over 2 months ago.  Since then I have felt my head clear up and emotions stabilize, but the damage done by the month or so of withdrawel anxiety behaviors has destroyed my life.  Let me explain briefly.  I did have extreme agitated behavior for a month then it leveled off.  The effect of my withdrawel has left me at the mercy of just about everyone telling me to go back to using anti-depressants and labeling with all kinds of emotionally negative terms such as: emotionally unstable, irrational, depressed, angry, etc.  I personally have enjoyed feeling any emotion again, and I am admitting that my self control of all this pent up emotion has been eratic.  I am born again so to speak and learning how to deal with being an emotional person again.  I have told anyone I am close to that I had quit taking Effexor, but the understanding, compassion and encouragement have not been there whatsoever.  Now I am starting to feel the depression of rejection from everyone and I need to know where to turn next.  I am absolutely against further medication just so you know.  Thank you for listening.

[strawb]

hi i came off prozac after ten yrs just over a year ago and still havent got a handle on the emotional side of things at all.

although the boyfriend says he prefers me off meds as i'm no longer a zombie, thats the end of any kind of encouragment from anyone.  

in the midst of an emotional episode and whilst crying out for help / affection all i get is "if we werent together you'd have to do it on your own" so i do understand the way no one else has congratulated you on such an achievement can entirley undermine it for you.

well done and stick with it, once you get better at the management of your emotions (as i hope to one day - soon!) people will stop looking at  / treating you like you need the meds.

sorry got to run so cant really say what i wanted to - will try to log in later with more if its of any help!

xx

[xanweaner]

Congratulations on your accomplishment - from what I've been reading, it's a difficult withdrawal process...I'm sending you a big pat on the back!!
Is it possible to find a therapist - a good one can be very supportive during this process of readjustment...
And, I do understanding that it can sometimes feel that our loved ones do not give us the encouragement that we need during the process - it can feel very isolating. This forum has really helped me in this regard.
Good luck on your new road to recovery and a new you...