About ten years ago I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and associated depression.  It may have resulted from using Larium as a malaria prophylactic but that's another story.

Eventually my doctor put me on Effexor XR.  I did not have the major side effects some have reported from Effexor.  Nevertheless I do want to get off the medication for both physical reasons, e.g., potential high blood pressure, and personal reasons, (I don't like to have to rely on chemicals).  Several times I tried to discontinue the use of Effexor but each time several weeks after discontinuing the medication I'd suffer anxiety and associated depression.  My physician would then put me back on Effexor.  He was actually rather discouraging about most things beyond feeding me meds.

Two years ago I switched doctors.  I'd been doing fine for several years and discussed discontinuing the medication with my new Psychiatrist.  He encouraged me to give it a try telling me I knew Effexor worked so I could go back on if necessary. 

He decreased my medication and switched me to Prozac for a few weeks then I discontinued all meds.  I was fine for a while and my wife says I seemed a lot healthier.  However after a few weeks I started having anxiety issues.  I should also mention it's been a stressful six months in other way; my father passed away and I'm about to go through a job change and associated move to a new city.  That of course also means I need to find a new psychiatrist.

I've been off all meds for approximately six months.  I did go through a period of serious anxiety that my physician suggested was probably a manifestation of discontinuation syndrome.  Nevertheless after six months I still have constant, although usually low-level, anxiety.   My anxiety may be stress related and I do occasionally take a Xanax if it seems truly overwhelming but as I mentioned, I don't want to rely on chemicals so I try to keep away from that as well.  Exercise is very effective for me but as I told my psychiatrist I can exercise every day, but not all day every day.  I'm also trying meditation but frankly I've not had much success with that.  I'll keep it up anyway - it can't hurt.

So, realizing no one out there can see what's in my head or treat me, my question is after six months is this still a result of discontinuing Effexor or is it a manifestation of underlying anxiety/depression issues.  If it is the former I'll stick it out, if the later I may be better going back on the meds.

Any personal experiences that can be shared will be appreciated.