My anxiety was never too bad and i only ever suffered with a couple of pannic attacks over the last few years but now I am having panic attacks 2 or 3 times a week, I can’t sit in the car for long, I won’t go for a walk or to the shop by myself and when I go with someone else I have to prepare myself for it. I constantly have heartburn. I cant sleep at night and a lot of the time I think that I am having a heart attack and I overthink the smallest things and worry about them. When I go on staycations I need to make sure that there is a hospital close to me or I won’t feel safe. I never tried therapy or anything else to try and help it. I finally went to the doctor and i was prescribed this medication but I have not taken it as I am scared of the side affects and if I become dependent on it. I was always skeptical when it came to taking tablets and I am really unsure if I should take this or not as the reviews seem to be very 50/50. I feel like I am looking for more opinions and advice as I can’t make up my own mind?
Should I take citalopram for anxiety and panic attacks?
Question posted by ciara21 on 14 April 2021
Last updated on 15 April 2021
3 Answers
Hello,
I agree with the two answers thus far and would like to add that I also have this Social phobia. I have to prep/ psych myself up a day or two before I can go anyplace. My mother was like that too. I think it gets worse with age if not controlled because I was in the public as a contractor and was never like this then. Talking to a therapist helped me somewhat but the medicine I'm on works fine for my anxiety and panic attacks even tho I've read so many horror stories about the benzo Im on, I couldn't live a normal life without it.
So I suggest you take your doctors advice and medicine (give it a try).
Best regards
Kevinb1953
Hi my friend, it has been a long time! Hope you are well.
Hello friend! Yeah, I'm good. Hope you are too.
Good to know you are fine, I am too.
Btw... I tried to respon to your very helpful answer to my question I asked you in private UT I didn't know how.
I was exactly like you and when my dr prescribed me this medication I did not want to try it and then when my anxiety skyrocketed I started. It took around 2 weeks before I started feeling the affects but one day things started looking better and I started sleeping. For me personally this medication has improved my life dramatically. I hope you give it a try and stick with it as it does take a little while before you feel better. Take care.
Yes. Celexa is an excellent drug for panic disorder. It is an older "tried and true" antidepressant with few side effects. Although it is important to be aware of side-effects I would suggest you stay away from online commentaries about drugs. Too often some individuals have an imagined reaction to a drug which has nothing to do with the drug. And they often condemn any usage of the drug. I would also suggest you consider 1:1 therapy. Both medication and therapy are often very effective in helping many individuals deal with panic disorder. The goal is to reduce symptoms and prevent unnecessary suffering. And for you to live a quality life!
I totally agree with the tallguy's answer! Don't believe everything you read... the bad reviews are written by a few people and don't take into consideration that tens of thousands of happy users are too busy enjoying their lives to be sitting around writing reviews.
Also, us anxiety prone people tend to "develop" what they think are the side effects other folks have talked about. Everyone responds differently to these medications and just because someone had side effects doesn't mean that you'll have them too.
Give it a little time... you should start feeling some improvements in the first week or two but it can take 4-8 weeks to feel the full benefits. Anxiety can take longer to resolve than depression.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better quickly!
Wildcat
Related topics
arrhythmia, anxiety, agitation, generalized anxiety disorder, citalopram, gerd, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Citalopram uses and safety info
- Citalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Citalopram (detailed)
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