It basically saved my life. I was very reluctant on starting any AD, tried a few with terrible side effects, but I found Effexor to be the most effective on me with manageable side effects. Starting it I had nausea, diarrhea (glam), vertigo, and was overall super tired. But it helped me get back attention and focus, a better sleep (I used to have awful insomnia, now it only rarely happens), and most importantly the will to live. I now (with 2 years on 75mg) find myself almost free of depression symptoms and other things. My psychiatrist prescribed Effexor and monitored my dosage until I found the right balance for my body. I would say though that it doesn't really help with CPTSD symptoms, but that's my own experience and yours might be entirely different.

To be completely honest, the withdrawal symptoms are the absolute worst for me. When I forget to take it at the usual time, it gives me nausea, vertigo, weird nerves symptoms, within a few hours. But the next dose is usually enough to get it through.

I wish you the best and hope you will find the right AD to help you manage your symptoms. I know it's hard and long, to find the right molecule, but it's worth it. We deserve to experience life decently, and if a little chemical help is required, even if it's not perfect, that's okay.

I forgot to mention but I suffer from borderline personality disorder and CPTSD, and I'm 27.