I recently decided to withdraw from Effexor XL because it was causing too many side effects. I was up to 225 mg. a day. I withdrew over a 6 week period until I was down to 371/2 mgs. I had been on it since last February. I understand your term evil!! This was really a rough time, and it still isn\'t completely over. I still am having the head zaps and just general bad disposition. I wish I had known what might happen, and I would never had taken it. I still should probably be on an anti-depressant, but I am afraid of side effects.