Citalopram - does the initial 2 weeks of getting worse not make u stop taking them? I am so nervous?

thanks for your reply, I have been given 10mg but not taken any yet, but feel I need something to get me out of feeling so low, I am so afraid of the side effects especially ringing in my ears, as I already have tinnitus to a degree and could not bear if it got worse. I am due to visit relatives in 2 weeks so I would hate to be really bad if I started taking them now. :( still dont know what to do, thought I could shift this on my own.

Hi, are you currently having any therapy? Counselling, CBT, etc? Talking is a big part of getting better. I understand how you feel about starting Citalopram now, as you will likely be suffering induction side effects while you are with your family. I would urge you to try it when you get home again. I know there is sometimes a stigma attached to taking medications/antidepressants, please forget this, more people than you know treat their depression with medication. I can't tell you that you will have the same/similar side effects as i had, but i didn't suffer ringing in my ears, headaches, sickness, just the standard 'feeling worse before you gt better'. But if going through a tough time for a few weeks, and then coming out the other side feeling so much better, i believe it is worth it. Personally. 10mg is the lowest dose, so if you decide to take the Citalopram your doctor with likely increase the dose as you go along, depending on how you react to the medication. Let me know what you decide?

thanks for getting back to me, I went to my Doc this morning and she wants me to start Citalopram tomorrow, which is close to going home time, but she thinks I should be fine by then ?? as iis a low dose. I am seeing a counceller just now and talking is good but not making a big impact really, ok while I am there but back to anxiety as I leave. waiting on an appointment with a physiologist but that takes time.

Actually, your doctor has a point, 10mg of Citalopram is a low dose as we have already discussed. My dad takes this dose for anxiety, and didn't have any obvious side effects. Try not to think about it or you can get the placebo effect. I think once you have seen your family your doctor will increase the dose to 20mg. How often to you have counselling? you should ask your doctor to refer you to CBT...

Thanks Delila, took my first one today and I have been worried about the Placebo effect due to my anxiety as I know how easily that can happen, so far the only thing I have noticed is a bit of a dull headache, but I think I already had that, I am getting referred for cbt and am on a waiting list, to be seen by December, however just been accepted to do an online course for it, u do it online once a week and get a tel call for an hour after it, so here's hoping. xx thanks for your advice it is really appreciated.:)

That's great news about the chance to study CBT! As i said, i'm sure you will adjust pretty smoothly to the 10mg. Enjoy your time with your family : )

Thanks Delila, hope all is good with you xx day 2 of Citalopram and had EFT yesterday which I found helpful, even tho I don't understand it x

Sorry if i am being a bit silly here, but what is EFT?

emotional freedom technique... its tapping on ur meridians not sure I understand it but it certainly calmed me and if I get really anxious I can use it to calm down. have a look at eft on the internet to see it, seems really silly but it does work. I was cynical at first but my counselor recommended it, so I just thought whatever helps

No, it doesn't sound silly. It sounds similar to a therapy i had titled EMDR. Look it up if you wish, i think you will find it interesting... I am also going to research EFT...

I'm on 20mg for last 2 weeks and feel suicidal no better than first taking it ..I'm desperate as I want to die but I have a daughter 17 years old that will be destroyed if I go ..I live for her