I am a sixty year old male. Was on 75mg effexor for past six years to reduce anxiety and depression during a difficult period at work. It worked well although side effects not good. Main negative side effect was sexual dysfunction ans sweats. Recently retired, found a new partner, so decided with doctor's help to come off the drug.
I tapered off slowly over a period of several months to reduce side effects of brain zaps. One side effect that was very noticeable was irritability, anger and even rage at things, events, people that normally would not bother me. This started when I got down to 37.5mg and then never stopped regardless how slowly I reduced the dose. However I persevered to get my sexual functions back and hoped the anger would disappear eventually when I was off the drug completely.
Now that i have been clean from effexor for nearly three months, I still get very angry. Anger and especially rage has not been part of my personality previously, either when on the drug (for the past six years) or previously to that. As I have noticed no reduction in my anger in the past three months, I can only deduce that Effexor has left me with a permanent side effect that will not subside.
I am distraught at this as it is causing major problems with my new relationship. I criticise unnecessarily, get angry at trivial things, and can't seem to keep my mouth shut. I repeat, this was not like me previously and only seems to have started the first time in my life when withdrawing from the drug, at the point I reached 37.5mg.
Is there anything I can do to reverse this?
Thanks,

PS I do not want suggestions of anger management courses or to go back on the drug. I am not anxious or depressed since coming off. I feel motivated, full of lfe, happy. The only negative is the anger.