what next?

[bonbona]

i hve been diganosed with severe depression . no suicidal thoughts ever , but feeling like running in a deep abbey of darkness, fear, and loss of desire to anything . this was usually accompanied by a desire for sleeping and escaping every activity. I have been descriped effoxor xr 150 for about one year and a half.. I felt better with less attacks, but depression never really disappeared . Now i feel the frequency of depression is increasing , I will c my doctor but am terrified of the idea of effexor losing efficacy . I wonder what is next ?

[lindahand]

There are a lot of different medications. It may be that the effexor is working the same but your depression is getting worse so it can't handle the load. If they decide to change your meds go off the Effexor as slowly as possible. This stuff is know for having the worst withdrawl effects of the antidepressants. So if you feel achey like you have the flu - it is normal when coming off this stuff. It usually only lasts a few weeks.

If you want a good book to help fight depression. Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns is a good one. And it has been around a long time so it is inexpensive.He has a new book out but I think the first edition is better personally (and costs under $10). It teaches cognitive behavioural therapy which has  been shown to treat depression as successfully as some SSRI's. They say the best is a combination of medication and therapy such as this.

[littlebit667]

there are other AD options that they may suggest.  Often when one medication quits working, another is tried.  I am sure you can find something that will help.  Good luck.