Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anxie...
• September 28, 2017

Celexa (citalopram) "Works great for my general anxiety. I felt like I was trapped in my own body. Couldn't breathe regularly, fidgety, brain racing nonstop, chest pain, couldn't sleep, had to run up and down stairs to relax. After 2 months, I started to feel a difference. Takes the edge off is all. Doesn't change my mood, doesn't make me sleepy. Only side effect I have is sometimes an hour or so after taking, stomach is a little upset...minor tradeoff for being anxiety-free. Changed my life. If you are living under a constant cloud of anxiety, please consider this medication. It takes a while to really start working, but for me, it has been a savior."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

Celexa (citalopram) "I like Celexa so much better than Zoloft. With Zoloft, I had trouble sleeping, nausea, and it did not help my anxiety and depression symptoms. I have had a great experience with Celexa. So much so that I am uncertain if I would ever want to be taken off of it."

• Chrissy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

Celexa (citalopram) "I've held high positions mainly in the field of Human Services, somewhere down the line, my demanding jobs affected my concentration in addition to other stressors in my personal life really done a number to my mental and emotional well-being over time. I feel perfectly sane, my main concern is my inability to focus. I'm a week into Celexa, so far so good, my thoughts aren't so scattered as they were prior to treatment. I feel more calm and gradually feeling like my old self. I am comfortable holding long conversations as opposed to before. I'm quite pleased with this medication."

• DarkD...
• September 6, 2019

"Citalopram has saved my life. Before this drug, I would panic over everything and overthink every event in my life. This med calms your brain and helps you live a normal life. I don’t care about the stigma these meds have, people who are saying bad things probably don’t suffer like we do."

• Heath...
• July 26, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "I'm 29 years old... (Mother of 2 boys). I lost my grandma (who raised me) on June 10th (My birthday). She was my everything. This is the first time I've experienced losing someone this close to me. I've had a very difficult time dealing with this, crying every day...and it has affected me at work with having less patience for things...anxiety, etc. Which I already had anxiety at night before she ever passed away. I've been on Celexa for 5 days and I haven't cried since then. It has made me feel more calm...more understanding of things. My anxiety has subsided a great deal...the only downside is I'm having a little bit of insomnia, which I know is a side effect. I'm optimistic about the future now."

• Mrz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "For the past few years, I think I have suffered from anxiety. Couldn't really put my finger on it until Thanksgiving Day. Everything was fine until it hit me out of nowhere. I remember feeling like my future was doomed. I couldn't concentrate, I felt like I wasn't myself. I completely lost it. It was like I was losing grasp of every aspect of my life. I cried and thought I was losing my sanity. It was the scariest thing I had ever experienced. After seeing 2 doctors, the medicines they prescribed either didn't help or maybe my anxiety got the best of me, but finally, my mom made me go to the ER and they gave me Celexa. The side effects were pretty bad, but I stuck it out, and I must say that almost 3 weeks in, I'm feeling back to myself."

• Brian
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 2, 2020

"68 years old. Been on a dose of 10 mg citalopram for 6 months - gradually felt better after 6 weeks. Still had a few panic attacks and excessive yawning/stress headaches. After 6 months, I feel much improved so the doctor suggested I increase to 20 mg as he thinks it will help even more. So, I’ll let you know how I make out. I’m very optimistic."

• kavsp
• November 27, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "I started this medication 2 1/2 years ago. It has worked wonders for me. It took my anxiety away. I used to have panic attacks that would last for hours and hours. I thought I was losing my mind. This made me feel normal again. I hadn't had an actual anxiety attack in over 2 years. Thank you, Celexa."

• Suzie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2020

Celexa (citalopram) "Celexa didn’t work for me and my anxiety and depression. I bore with the side effects for four weeks (splitting headaches, inability to sleep or stay asleep, night sweats, cold symptoms, a feeling of dis-reality I hadn’t previously had, loss of all libido, skin numbness, and feeling drained of all energy) but they did not begin to alleviate. I thought nothing could be worse than the depression and anxiety but I was wrong. The treatment in this case was worse than the condition. Now tapering off and trying something different."

• NikkiJo
• November 2, 2019

Celexa (citalopram) "I just recently increased my dose. I was unsure how it would affect me, but after talking with my doctor, I was willing to try. The more I have to fight back my extreme anxiety, the better. It’s been about 5 weeks since increasing my dose, and I just want to say I feel like ME again, the happy-go-lucky girl I remember being. I still have bouts of anxiety, but that’s natural, there’s no magic pill that removes it forever. I think the best way to describe how it helps my anxiety is that it changes my mood and the way I process things. I feel joyful when normally I would be frantic. I find myself engaging in settings I normally would be anxious and insecure in. Going to this dose was the best choice I could’ve made! Everyone is different, you just have to start low on the amount of dose and see how you feel!"

• Calm
• August 12, 2019

"Amazing. I had severe anxiety and developed depression due to coping with a chronic illness. I have been so low, upset and couldn't see how to pick myself up regardless of what I tried. I couldn't just keep coping day to day, I was a misery. I started on citalopram 5mg then after 6 days went to 10mg and then finally to 20mg. It has been 4 months now. My message to you is: Hang in there! The side effects are grim, yes, yawning, headaches, increased anxiety, and a bit of an upset stomach but they honestly pass and settle. I have no side effects now. Compared to how I felt, they were manageable and I didn't need time off work. The difference is night and day. It's like a lead weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's cleared my daily migraines. I no longer have panic attacks, it hasn't affected my mental state or made me emotionless. I genuinely feel happier and calmer in myself, just my lows aren't as low. I have been getting out more, exercising, taking pride in things again. The difference is amazing."

• Gemini
• November 1, 2019

Celexa (citalopram) "I’m 23 years old and began to have severe GAD due to a stressful situation. I felt worthless, depressed, anxious, and pessimistic. I decided to go to my doctor and was prescribed Celexa. I experienced a low appetite, insomnia, and mild diarrhea the first couple of weeks. I also had increased mood swings. The adjustment period was rough! However, after about 6-8 weeks, I started to level out and had less anxiety. Now I can say that my anxiety is about 90% cured! I have been taking this medicine for about 2-3 months. I still experience some anxiety during normal moments that I should experience some anxiety, but it’s NOTHING compared to where I used to be. I can still feel my emotions, the lows are just not as low anymore. I’m going through a breakup right now and I can honestly say that although I’ve had sad moments, I am still fully functioning and I am still managing to be happy with my life. Thank you Celexa!"

• russom
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 18, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "I have been taking Celexa for many years and somehow I stopped taking it not realizing that I had. I could not function at all without it. I'm back on it and I feel wonderful. It's not a medicine to stop suddenly."

• Blond...
• February 15, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "I am just starting my 3rd week on Celexa. I was more upset when I found out this was for 'depression and anxiety' as I am NOT depressed. I am a very outgoing person that loves to be around people, but I do have anxiety, panic attacks, and anger issues, so I thought it would be worth trying. I find myself more 'Calm' in general since taking this. I am not obsessing about phobias I have, and I am back to being 90% happy because I am dealing with stress better. I have been incredibly nauseous though this past week in the early morning to about lunchtime. By mid-afternoon to evening, that goes away, but I do not like that feeling. No interruption in sleep. I do feel 'forgetful' more than normal. Overall doing well."

• Lise
• August 12, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "This is my 12th day on Citalopram and already I am noticing a difference. I was on Effexor for over a year and it was okay, but started getting really anxious and having panic attacks all over again, more frequent, and also really sad a lot, so I decided to talk to my doctor about switching. He said 'Citalopram is my go-to medicine, and it's a lot cleaner than most.' I love reading the positive reviews. It gives me high hopes. The first week I did feel a bit off, but I know you just have to wait it out and things will look up. So far so good! Good luck everyone!"

• Katee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

Celexa (citalopram) "I used to take Celexa (20mg) back when I was 16 years old for severe agoraphobia, severe panic disorder, severe depression, and PTSD. I would faint, chest would hurt, shaking, hyperventilate, avoided all social places, I had no energy, felt suicidal, (I was homeschooled), I had all symptoms of PTSD, anxiety attacks, and depression. You name it, I had it. I couldn’t even leave home, not until Celexa was prescribed to me, and I got my life back within 2 days of taking this medication. The only side effect I had was drowsiness. I’m now 27 years old with the same issues once again, I’ve been isolated for 6 months now, having severe panic attacks and been avoiding all public places, even avoiding outside and my own family. I was prescribed Celexa 10mg 2 months ago, but I am deathly afraid to try it because I don’t want my anxiety to get worse, it’s my last hope to feel better. I believe Celexa will benefit me, but that’s my anxiety talking. I think I’ll try it today, I can do this!"

• Suezi...
• August 29, 2016

Celexa (citalopram) "Best. I started taking this and thought, oh, this isn't going to help me... It was maybe 2 months in and I didn't feel different. After about 4 months taking it, I was a completely different person when it came to my anxiety and panic attacks. I completely stopped having them and I was just overall a more stress-free person. By far one of my favorites. I recommend this to anyone that has very bad anxiety and doesn't want to be on something addictive like benzodiazepines."

• psugirl
• September 6, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "I have had anxiety for over ten years. 2 years ago, I started having severe panic attacks and anxiety. I tried Luvox, Prozac, and now I am taking Celexa. The first did not do much for me, and the Prozac made me feel like I was out of my body and gave me really bad side effects. Celexa is amazing. I am taking 20mg 2x daily. Highly recommend!"

• NH3232
• October 4, 2019

Celexa (citalopram) "I want to give people a real review of this drug because the side effects are no joke. Note that my doctor started me on only 5mg to 'mitigate side effects'. Also, I have been on Zoloft before so I am not a newbie to these types of meds. I started Celexa one week ago and am just today starting to feel back to where I was when I started this drug. Basically, I have had every side effect of this drug. People are not lying. It makes you feel 500% worse before it starts to work. I started with severe panicky feelings and insomnia for about 3 days after day 2 on the meds. My blood pressure would shoot up, sweats, skin crawling, etc. My doctor prescribed me Xanax just so I could sleep. I had to take 3 days off of work, it was so bad. Then it switched to massive headaches and muscle aches which has been the last couple days. It feels just like having the flu. Cold all the time, then sweating."

• Relie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2018

Celexa (citalopram) "I researched and read numerous forums on medicines and was quite leery to take Celexa after some of the issues people had experienced on the medicine. I am so glad I decided to try it for myself. A few months ago, out of the blue, I developed symptoms which turned into full-blown GAD, which was getting increasingly worse with constant nervousness, stomach upset, nonstop worry about feeling so darn out of control that I burst into tears. I was starting to have panic attacks while at work and couldn’t have that, so I contacted my doctor who put me on 5mg of Celexa daily, which was to increase to 10 mg. After a few days of awful nausea and sleepiness, the side effects subsided. 1 month in, still on 5mg, and I feel absolutely amazing. I am back to feeling myself again. I am so fortunate that this medicine worked for me."

• amee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2012

Celexa (citalopram) "I started taking Celexa a week ago for social anxiety disorder, and I already feel major relief. For the first time, I was social at work and made new friends. I feel happier and can focus on caring about other things and people rather than just myself. I had social anxiety, but I can honestly say that this medicine has worked miracles on me so far, and I'm only on 10mg. This medicine has quite literally saved my life. If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, in my opinion, it's not worth it to keep fighting it without medication. I suffered from social anxiety disorder for 2 years before finally deciding to take it. Now, I wish I had taken it much sooner!"

• Katie...
• March 21, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "I didn't realize how bad my anxiety was until I started taking citalopram (and found relief). I had never taken any antidepressant and I started off with a TINY amount... 5 mg in the morning for the first three days. I got a bad headache, which went away after a couple of days. I then increased to 10 mg... then 20. I ended up at 40 mg daily and have been on that for a little over a year. I am currently in the process of decreasing my dose. I dropped down to 30 mg for two weeks and I am noticing my irritation and anxiety increasing. My goal had been to get to 20 mg but I am not sure I'll be able to do that, due to the increased feelings of anxiety. All in all, I have found this medicine to be a HUGE help with very few side effects."

• JoeTu...
• July 2, 2018

Celexa (citalopram) "*UPDATE* December 19, 2017. I have now completely gotten off of Celexa after a year and feel great. I took 2 months to wean off my 20mg dose. Celexa helped me with all of my issues: extreme lack of focus, panic attacks, not being able to hold conversations, depersonalization. I had to quit my job. But enough of that, ultimately, this medication was the biggest roller coaster ride I've ever been on for the first 6 weeks, but I am so happy I decided to go on it. For me, Celexa muted all of my anxious feelings and allowed me to regain who I was and gain all of my confidence back. So anyways, I thought I would share my final review of this drug. For anyone trying to get through a bout of anxiety that is so bad it destroys their entire life, there is hope! It's hard as anything, but I wouldn't have done anything different. Good luck, everyone! By the way, I was on it from June 16, 2017, to June 27, 2018. The 'it gets worse before it gets better' part was over after about 4-6 weeks."

• branw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "I've been on Celexa for about 1 1/2 years, and I love it. I have a real big history of panic attacks - the ones that make you feel like you're dying. Well, they have decreased a lot. I still have them once in a while, but they have gotten way better. This medication has really made a difference for me. I recommend it to everyone with panic and anxiety disorder, it works."

• EvaGurl
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2016

Celexa (citalopram) "I started on 10mg after quitting drinking and starting AA, and I had to increase my dose to 20. So I've been on 20 for a week, and I was on 10 for about 3 weeks before. I feel great. My anxiety level is so low and manageable, and so is my negative thinking and my anger towards everyone. I have the right perspectives, just couldn't apply them before, and now I find it easy to. I don't freak out, get mad, irritated, and frustrated like I used to. Life is easier to handle, but you still need tools. So far, my sex drive is still there, though it might take a little more effort to orgasm, but not because I don't feel it as much, but because it's hard to reach a certain level fast enough. My cravings for alcohol and sweet foods are very low. I'm motivated."