Citalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2024

"I never write reviews - but I have lived and breathed these lifeline pages for a month. I have suffered with anxiety & depression at stages through my adult life - trauma (sometimes unbelievable) and general life stressors. A year or so ago I simply stopped sleeping. I tried mirtazipine which knocked me out and was fantastic at combating that side of things as insomnia is literal torture. I felt flat and derealisation kicked in, I wanted nothing in life. I was definitely depressed, anxious, and not myself. I asked my GP for citalopram which I had ten years previously postpartum. The side effects for 12 days were excruciating - but I am so glad I persisted (3 times I went to give up!). Sweats, massively increased anxiety, no appetite, insomnia to 1 hour of night's sleep. But after 12 days I SLEPT! And each day is just improving more. I laugh, smile, and relax and am only 15 days in! I can't wait to see the full effect and please keep going if you are new to this."

• Ang...
• October 22, 2011

"I was initially very hesitant to go on any SSRI for anxiety purposes, but when the constant 'what if' and worst-case scenarios and occasional panic attacks at work were having a considerable impact on my daily life, I knew it was time. I started and stayed on 10mg citalopram for one year and within several weeks found that the worry was not gone, but controllable. It just takes the edge off - lightens the anxiety and helps me rationalize and quit ruminating. I managed off them for a year and am now back on for extreme stress and am happy to have this option available to me. Don't psych yourself out reading all the bad reviews - have faith that this will help you, and if it doesn't, no big deal - speak with your doctor and try something else."

• zac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2019

"I struggled with very bad episodes of anxiety and depression. I was never in a good mood and always extremely impatient and irritable. I began citalopram, and I noticed an incredible difference within days. The doctor said there was no way this was possible, and I could possibly just be experiencing a placebo effect, but it was such a significant difference that I am sure it was already working. The only downside of this drug was that the side effects began the very first day I started it. I never had much trouble sleeping before taking it, but the first night I took the drug, I did not sleep for a single minute. It took a couple of days to get any significant sleep at all. I also had no appetite for about a week and lost about 5 pounds that week. After that first week, the side effects were non-existent, and everything was well. I have been on citalopram for about 2 years and have had nothing to complain about after the first week. Hope this is helpful."

• Loz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2019

"My GAD was so bad that I had to leave my job. My day-to-day life was awful. This drug has honestly saved my life, as my condition is hereditary and not something that I could avoid, unfortunately. I really recommend trying this drug along with a healthy lifestyle and counseling! Good luck, all."

• Sop...
• August 18, 2019

"I have been on citalopram now for 8 months. I was so scared to start any medication after a bad experience with sertraline! But it got to the point that I either take something or not be here anymore! So I started slowly on citalopram, going from 5 mg to 30 mg over 4 months. I have most of the old me back! I can enjoy my children again and get out and live my life! I wish I had taken them sooner and not let my situation get as bad as it did! My advice is to stick with it! It took around 10 weeks to start to work! So glad I stuck with it."

• Mia...
• April 30, 2015

"I have been on this medication for 2 years now. This has helped me so much. It's been two years since I have had an anxiety attack and been severely depressed. I am so much happier and have so much more energy. I don't know where I would be without it. It has turned my life around 180."

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2015

"I am taking this drug for several reasons. This drug is amazing! Everyone worrying in the reviews, please stick with this tablet! The leaflet that comes with the box states that the drug may initially make your problem worse, but this will stop happening and your condition will improve. My pharmacist also told me that this drug can take 3 WEEKS to get into your system, so PLEASE give it time. This drug has given me my life back, and it could do the same for you!"

• Ful...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2019

"This is day nine of taking 10 mg of citalopram for debilitating anxiety. I’m 59 and have lived with different levels of anxiety most of my life. Three years ago, my workplace became very toxic. I experienced shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and a feeling of despair. I finally left the job, but the symptoms became worse and turned into what I would describe as PTSD. I take citalopram in the evening, and within an hour, I feel a sense of calmness. I have no issues sleeping, but I wake up and immediately feel anxious. Hopefully, this will subside as the medication builds up in my system. I actually look forward to my next dose, knowing that for a little while I’ll have a break from the doom and gloom, if only until the next morning. Because of my positive experience so far, I really believe this may be the answer I’ve been praying for."

• Fin...
• June 25, 2015

"I've started this medication a week ago, and it works great! For someone who was always nervous over stupid stuff and worried about really nothing... This does help. I was to the point where I couldn't even sit in a car without flipping out or at least having a worry issue. Trust me, try this product. This has saved my life. I was down in the dumps for about a year or so dealing with this issue. This medication helped me a lot! I've watched some videos on YouTube about people and doctors saying 'just get over it and get through it'. Yeah- easier said than done... I tried that method for 6 months! It never worked until my doctor prescribed me this! Hope this helped! I understand this med won't work for everyone.... But for most of you, it will."

• Sof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2015

"I was depressed with extreme generalized anxiety disorder. I was a total mess to the point where I couldn't function properly in my daily life. I was put on Valium (Diazepam) but it's a very temporary fix, plus it's extremely addictive. So my doctor changed my medication and put me on 20 mg of Citalopram (Celexa) a day. What a lifesaver it has been. Depression has disappeared 100% and my anxiety is reduced by 80%. The only side effects I'm noticing are a decrease in my sex drive, it's almost gone. Also, I feel slightly tired sometimes. But it's totally worth it. I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too."

• Liz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2014

"This medicine changed my life! I suffered from anorexia, anxiety, and mild depression. For two plus years now, I am free of these afflictions and live a happy, well-adjusted life! For me, the results started immediately, maybe a little too much at first. The biggest shock is that the day after I started taking the medication, I physically saw myself differently in the mirror. This was a huge step to overcoming my anorexia. I no longer dwelled on the mirror or cried all the time, and my general anxiety was quelled. My mind was no longer racing and focusing on negatives. After 8 weeks, I felt like a normal person."

• Fee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 18, 2016

"I suffered from anxiety and depression most of my life. I was just afraid to ask for help. Finally, at age 37, I started on citalopram 20mg. What an amazing difference this has made in my life. I only wish I would have started sooner. I have no side effects other than the first 2 weeks."

• Ted...
• August 1, 2019

"Had a very bad time, wanted to end it all. I started on citalopram, which took a good while to work - about 3-4 months. You don't think it's working, but you look back at how you were a month or two ago and realize you are a lot better. It takes time, but you will get there. Every day gets a bit better, you will have bad days, but just know it will work and get better."

• tif...
• January 14, 2016

"I have generalized anxiety, and I've been on this medication for about 3 months now. I saw a psychologist, then a therapist for 6 months during my senior year. (I'm a freshman in college right now.) I stopped seeing a therapist and tried to manage the anxiety on my own. However, it started getting worse the first semester of college. I would always leave the classroom because I felt really anxious. I would cry after class, and I decided I needed to do something about it. My doctor prescribed me citalopram 10 mg. I felt jittery and had a dry mouth the first week, but my anxiety lessened by a lot. I'm a lot happier now, and I'm so glad I decided to start taking citalopram. Hope it helps you too! :)"

• Hop...
• August 28, 2019

"Second time I have been on citalopram. A few years ago, I had depression due to relationship issues. I was living with someone with narcissistic personality disorder. Anyway, I finally got the courage to divorce her, but boy was I in for a shock. I ended up with anxiety and depression. However strong you are, you are only human. I started on 20mg and after 4 weeks things started to improve slightly. Then I went to 30mg. It's my fifth week now and improving more. Stick with it, initially, symptoms can get worse, but push through. You will get better. I can only say they saved me."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

"Taking Citalopram 10 mg for 6 weeks. The main side effects have been excessive yawning, which in my case leads to tension headaches. Feel a bit calmer most of the time but still suffer from anticipatory anxiety, especially when driving and in other social settings. I'm hopeful it just needs more time to be more effective. I put off taking meds my whole life. I'm 68 and my son swears by this drug, which is why I tried it. I'm hopeful all my anxieties disappear in the coming weeks. Not sure how long it takes to fully work or what to expect for final results. Debating on taking 20 mg. Any thoughts?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2013

"In November 2012, After 4 years of unbearable symptoms (dizziness, headaches, facial neuralgia, sweats, spikes in blood pressure, ataxia, feeling like I was about to have a seizure) from about 5 times a week to 4 times a day and with medical investigations exhausted I decided it was time to try an SSRI. I had always insisted my symptoms caused my anxiety; not the other way round. Because of this, I put off taking the medication for about 2 years. I started on November 30th on 10mg. Felt slightly odd the next day but immediately noticed the anxiety was lessened. After 7 days I went onto 20mg/day. Things just got better and better. I'm still on the same dose now (Sept 2013). For me it has been fantastic. I'm pretty much 100% my old self."

• Nai...
• April 20, 2016

"I started on citalopram in September 2015 as I had extreme anxiety, causing me to feel depressed. I started on 10mg. After 4 weeks, I went to 20mg, and after 4 months on 20mg, I increased to 30mg. It's been fantastic. It did take longer than 4 weeks for optimal effect, I'd say for me, I started feeling better around week 9-10, but it's helped immensely. I worry less, process irrational thoughts better, and anxiety has reduced by 90%. Give it time, I truly believe if my GP had changed my medication on all my earlier visits where I was convinced it wasn't working, I would be worse off than I am now. Also, engage with therapy."

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

"After 10+ years of worsening anxiety and panic attacks, I finally was prescribed citalopram. Started on 10 mg, which made me feel tired and sluggish with some diarrhea the first couple of weeks. Then increased to 15 mg, now on 20 mg - it has been 3 months and I don’t get but a few panic attacks here and there when in high-pressure situations (Dr. says he will likely increase to 30 mg after my next follow-up). But the daily nausea, gagging, and stomach problems are gone, and I don’t constantly feel like I’m going to pass out or throw up. I can enjoy going out to public events without panicking. I finally feel normal, and that constant self-monitoring, analyzing, panicking voice that was always in the background is subdued."

• lon...
• June 24, 2014

"This medicine changed our lives for a couple of bucks a month! My husband had suffered with generalized anxiety disorder for years but until I was at the end of my rope and googled his symptoms, we had no idea. We went to our doc, explained his symptoms, he prescribed Citalopram and oh my goodness life is as it should be. My joke is, my husband doesn't like me when he's not taking his Citalopram!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2017

"A month ago, I started having really bad anxiety, to the point I would lie in bed all day feeling suicidal. I couldn't eat (I lost 1 stone in 2 weeks), I couldn't sleep without having a panic attack that woke me up every hour, and I was terrified this was going to be my life from now on. I was signed off work sick but had bills to pay, which added to the stress and anxiety I had. I had thoughts of ending my own life because I felt that hopeless and down and was worried I would never snap out of it. The worst symptom was derealization. After 3 awful weeks of adjusting to 20 mg citalopram, I'm feeling so much better already. Please stick with this medication, I feel like I've got my life back."

• Spa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2019

"Citalopram has saved my life. Eleven years ago, I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression. My doctor started me on a 10 mg dose of citalopram, which I must say, for the first week, I felt sick, headache, and more anxious. The doctor increased my dose to 20 mg and again later to 30 mg, and after 4-5 weeks from the first 10 mg tablet, I woke up one day feeling great. I could do everything I used to do. I wasn’t crying, I wasn’t anxious, and over a period of a few months, I was down to 20 mg. I stayed on it for ten years and eventually I got down to 10 mg every other day."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2024

"It’s going to be okay. I promise. The side effects for at least 3 weeks are the worst, but it’s just that, side effects. Keep it moving. Do not let anxiety stop you from living a full life, you have got this. The med will take the sting out of it, but you MUST push with everything yourself too. Get out in the fresh air, meditate, write, etc. At the start, you feel like nothing is happening, FAKE IT! Your mind catches up! Read about the limbic system. It’s an area of the brain that learns from what you teach it, it doesn’t know real from fake, so even if you're in mental torture, keep up the positive talk, don’t stop acting like you usually would. I know it’s SO hard, but you bounce back SO much quicker if you BELIEVE you will, and you will. Trust me, this is not my first rodeo with these meds, but after years I also know a lot of the work comes from me. Beyond fear lies freedom. Your mind cannot hurt you, ever. Don’t give it less than 6-8 weeks to start working."

• Doc...
• February 18, 2018

"Citalopram has absolutely changed my life. Two months ago, I was an absolute mess, I could barely function due to very high anxiety and constant low moods. I meditated daily, exercised 5x a week, and ate a very clean diet, but all to no avail. My GP suggested I try 20 mg of citalopram for 2 weeks. The first week was pretty hard, I slept constantly and felt nauseous and light-headed often, but I already felt like a new person mentally. After two weeks, the side effects ceased, and I began CBT. 2 months on, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and even with extremely upsetting and traumatic things occurring in the past couple of weeks, I’ve handled it amazingly, and I’m still smiling and getting through each day. This drug has shown me that it’s okay to need a crutch, if you had a broken leg, you wouldn’t think twice about additional support, and in my eyes, antidepressants are no different. You don’t have to suffer, and if you’re open to trying new ways to help, try citalopram!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2012

"After two years of constant anxiety regarding my son (who is addicted to painkillers and incarcerated), I finally sought the help of my doctor. She prescribed this medication and it saved me! I am still me, but can calmly deal with his situation with love and hope instead of complete sadness."