It was also my doctor's advice to do it over 1 week, and I'd come off other tricyclics and NRIs before over the course of 1-2 weeks, so I really had no idea what was coming.
If I ever had to come off anything like this again, I'd absolutely do it over a longer period - but I won't; these kind of drugs haven't help me, and after what I went through I will never take another again.
I agree with what you say. Your doctor didn't give you enough information; then gave you not great advice; then didn't believe you about discontinuation / withdrawal.
It's weird that people are questioning your experience here, because what you describe is sadly a common experience.
Anti-depressant medication does save life, and hopefully doctors are becoming more aware of the withdrawal / discontinuation effects.