I think I am going to ask about Pristiq. I've tried everything else and nothing has worked. I remember when I began taking antidepressants in 1981 and I would begin feeling alittle better. It was asthough I could only go so far down and I'd stop and be lifted. That didn't last very long so I tried ECT's and they didn't work real well with me since I had to abruptly go off my Klonopin I'd been on for 12 years. My anxietys were so high, I couldn't maintain off of them anylonger. I will try the pristiq as some people have reported success with it when all else failed. I have found my doctor will many times tell me things like she did about abilify being similar to effexor XR to just get me to possibly believe it. I've been on too many meds. and for too long. I think I know what is what in the world of antidepressants. It's as though she thinks I real gullable. I do need and want a more knowledgable psychiarist but will have to wait until my SSDI is approved. I wish you all good luck with whatever you may be taking or even if it's a change in thinking or behavior. I know all too well what my kind of depression can do and my heart goes way out to anyone having to feel it. And thanks for all your answers