I was taking paxil for 11 years and about 1 year ago I and doctor decided I needed to go off of it I went off it very slowly (took about 2 months) I had the worst withdraw symptoms from coming off it for 8 months after that. You would think I was coming of crack cocaine. I went on the medication for gad but I never knew I would have to go through something like months of withdraw if I went on the medication. I really think doctors and pharmacist need to be more direct about the side effects coming off paxil and other ssri's. That way we can make a choice if the benefit out weighs the risk with these drugs.