I am right with you on this one! I was given effexor for anxiety and panic attacks 3 years ago. Have now been off it completely for about 5 weeks, same as you the physical side effects are virtually over but I can cry over anything, am fed up with everything and feeling very nervous. It\'s tough but if you really don\'t want other meds, you have to fight it, the anxiety and not wanting to go out, I\'m afraid you have to force it (learnt this from my therapist) otherwise it will take over, you have to be THE BOSS! otherwise it will only get worse, do not feed it, starve it, go out and force yourself to remain standing in that shop or wherever even when you\'re sweating, shaking, panicking and it will ease down. The best trick I found was looking at the worst possible scenario - so what can happen? (believe it or not you cannot faint during a panic attack its not medically possible) when you realise the answer is virtually nothing, it really helps. Be brave, it\'s a huge fight I know and there are days when its just too hard, but please keep going for yourself. Tinax