Citalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• kha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2019

"First starting taking citalopram 3 years ago at the suggestion of my therapist. I was nervous to go on medication, but it was getting to the point that I was having intrusive suicidal thoughts at work and had panic attacks on the regular. My psychiatrist said it would take a few weeks to kick in, but within days I was starting to feel better. It was the first time in years I got through the day without chest pains! I can go months without a single panic attack now. I originally started on 10 mg, but have been on a dose of 20 mg for the past two years. The only real side effect I noticed was a lack of sex drive for the first few months. Please listen to your doctor and your body, they know what is best for you. For me, it was an absolute life changer! One warning: do NOT quit cold turkey. Briefly, when I could not afford my medication, I stopped for a month. I experienced agitation, panic attacks, dizziness, blurry vision, and nausea."

• Ret...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 16, 2017

"I struggled with anxiety and depression for years and suffered silently. At 42 years of age, I asked my GP for help, and he put me on 20 mg. My anxiety is a thing of the past, with no panic attacks, and I now go shopping on my own with ease. It changed my life!"

• Tin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 27, 2019

"I suffered unbearably for so many years with GAD before a new doctor changed my meds to citalopram. It had been the only drug to actually work and control my anxiety, which was so severe it caused temporary psychosis during severe attacks. After 8 years, now I’ve been great, yet recently went through a very difficult time due to external events. After an increase in dose, my anxiety is getting under control again. I am so thankful this medication exists."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

"Been on citalopram approx. 3 months. Dr. started me on 20 mg dose. I had every side effect for the first 4 weeks: headaches, nausea, tired, stomach cramps, and increased anxiety. Dr. eventually increased me to 30 and then 40 mg due to continued anxiety. Was sooooo tired every day. Constantly yawning when people were speaking to me. Now have cut down slowly to 10 mg and feel fantastic. My anxiety is gone and my social anxiety is greatly reduced. My advice is to start slowly and expect things to get worse before they get better. I highly recommend this drug, but keep reading the positive reviews to get you through the start."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2015

"I had severe generalized anxiety disorder when my doctor prescribed Celexa to me. I had awful symptoms including severe nausea and stomach turning, headaches, restlessness, drowsiness, tiredness during the day, oversleeping, lack of focus, and the list goes on! Celexa has really leveled me out. I can focus, and I'm not making myself sick over minor everyday stress. I'm happier and more balanced. I couldn't have asked for a better result. I'm currently on a 40 mg dose, and it has worked consistently for nearly a year."

• tec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2024

"I have been on citalopram for 7 weeks and finally am feeling 'normal.' I have suffered from anxiety, ruminating thoughts, and panic attacks. I used to wake up with a feeling of dread that would wash over me as a mild panic attack. I started at 10 mg and then increased to 20 mg after a week. It took 6 weeks to fully feel the benefits, but it was so worth the wait. Side effects: I do see a decrease in libido and an increase in appetite (craving carbs). I had tried bupropion and Buspar in the past - with limited success."

• Ced...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2017

"I was started on citalopram at 20 mg. The first one I took made me feel like I was 'high,' but that was pretty much the only side effect I felt that first week, besides a lot of yawning. I was prescribed 30 mg after a month of being on 20 mg, to help deal with my social anxiety. I've been on 30 mg for about 3 months now, and I feel amazing. I've felt anxiety all my life, and it's only until now that my anxiety has lessened to almost the point of non-existence. I feel 'normal,' I can talk to anyone, I smile at everyone I meet. Everything is amazing! I hope your journey is as great as well! ♡♡♡"

• Cra...
• November 27, 2018

"I was put on the meds for depression. I have tried several types and had major issues with them all. My doctor tried these as a last resort, and I never want to stop taking them! They are amazing. I have always been a serious worrier, and since being on these, it has all stopped. Like I literally don't care about anything. But not in a warped personality void type way. Just in a calm, what is the point of stressing type of way. I literally don't care, and it feels great. I started to feel well and considered coming off them, but last week the doctor messed up my prescription, and I didn't have any for 5 days, and I was awake all night worrying about anything and everything, and it was awful. I now have my new prescription and will never be without them again. I will certainly never come off them... ever. For anyone feeling worried about starting them after previous reactions or after reading the reviews, please don't worry and give them a go. I was the same, and I'm glad I took a chance."

• mea...
• April 2, 2017

"Citalopram changed my life. I started taking the drug 10 years ago, and I've been on 20-40 mg on and off since then. I'm currently 24 years old, I started having intense panic attacks and anxiety when I was 14. Every other SSRI drug that I've tried has given me that zombie feeling or bad headaches, but on Citalopram I feel like myself. I am currently taking 20 mg. There have been times in my life where I've had to up the dose to 40 mg, and times where I've weaned off the drug, but typically 20 mg is where I need to be. I have no side effects on Citalopram, and if I do, then I don't even notice them. I'm so thankful for this drug and the difference it has made in my life."

• Ric...
• March 7, 2017

"This med has been extremely effective at keeping my anxiety down for close to 20 yrs. 5-10 mg has been my ideal dosage, currently at 5 mg. I'm commenting here to share my thoughts on side effects. For me, going on or off this med, or changing dosage, results in feeling horrible for a period of time measured in days. If you feel similarly, make sure you tell your doc and perhaps lean on a med (e.g., a benzo) if need be while you're transitioning. But always try to remember (I know it's difficult!) that the bad feeling is temporary, and that you will feel better. Give it time to work for you."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2018

"So I posted on the 11th of November on the 5th day. It’s been a crazy ride. It’s now 6 weeks since I started 10 mg for horrific anxiety and panic. I was the worst patient on medication in the first two weeks that I was taking it, but I’m glad I have stuck this out. The first two weeks had heightened anxiety (prepare yourself for it) and sickness. Moods were up and down, I felt numb. But now they have all worn off, and I have never felt as calm as I do. I had suicidal thoughts and everything before citalopram. It’s an amazing drug for me anyway. I have a 1-year-old and I’m a single parent. Things get tough, but my agitation has calmed down, I’m more patient and can get on with day-to-day life again!!"

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2011

"Citalopram has proved extremely effective at helping me overcome severe anxiety. I am a 42-year-old male on 20 mg a day in the morning. I am on week five, having come off a severe benzodiazepine addiction and prior to that alcohol addiction, all to cope with anxiety. This SSRI really works. I have not suffered from anxiety in any but the slightest form since I started on the medicine. I recommend it very highly."

• Kel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2019

"Was on Citalopram for 9 years, and it truly saved my life. I went through years of terrible health anxiety, which turned into depression, and when I went on it, it was like my life turned around completely. I don't remember any side effects other than just needing to be patient for them to really kick in. I went off of them this past January. Weaning off wasn't that bad, other than brain zaps and a little bit of nausea. I went from 20 mg for about 7 years, 10 mg for the last 2, and then 5 mg for the last month. Then, unfortunately, life threw some traumas at me one right after the next, and I decided to go back on them. About 2 weeks in on 10 mg and no physical side effects. I do feel the anxiety sort of on a little bit of a roller coaster, but I plan to go back up to 20 in a week. I know these work, and I'm excited to get back to being stable and living my best life!"

• Nje...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2018

"I'm back! I originally commented on 1/17/17 on my early experience on citalopram. Almost 2 years later, I have moved my rating from 9 to 10. This med has been a godsend for me. It did wonders for my anxiety, which I believe then ended my depression! I started at 20 mg a day and am down to 15 mg. I also take about 25 mg of an antihistamine (doxylamine) at bed. The combo of both helps me sleep great. Now that I sleep 8-9 hours soundly, anxiety and depression are gone! My experience is too many positives to write all! Side effects for me are weight gain (because I'm happy and hungry, lol) about 25 lbs. Not ideal, but I'll take it. Also, strangely, I am emotionally flat. I never cry and really don't get sad. This is a mentioned side effect. I'll confirm it in my case. Weird, but beats crying every day. Important to minimize alcohol intake. It neutralizes the benefit. I try to minimize drinking to once or twice a week. Again, can't say enough about the med. Give it a month, God bless you!"

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2011

"The first day on this kept me awake all night and gave me a strange feeling. Two weeks in and I feel terrific. No anxiety episodes at all. Give this medicine a few days to kick in then you will really feel the benefits."

• Dza...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 28, 2019

"So, I've had GAD, panic disorder, and depression for most of my 47 years. I've been on citalopram for about 2 years. Before I went on it, I had too many phobias to name, social anxiety, health anxiety, anxiety about anxiety, church was so hard, tremors, brain fog, couldn't walk down the street without having anxiety because of people, cars, traffic, it was awful. I had muscle aches, depression, I would bawl all the time for no reason. Then I went on citalopram, started at 10 mg, currently on 40 mg. I barely have tremors. I do have insomnia pretty bad still. My health anxiety is great as long as I stay away from looking things up. My depression and most everything are so much better. I still deal with muscle aches, but it's much better than before, and when I exercise. I can work now, working out, trying to not pass out. Give it a shot."

• Vic...
• December 8, 2020

"This citalopram is a miracle drug. I started having anxiety at the age of 15, which progressed and got worse at 16. I am now 18. I started having panic attacks, and they kept getting worse, to the point where it was every time I left the house. They got so bad I felt like I was having a stroke. I spoke to the doctor, and they started me on 10 mg of citalopram. I haven’t noticed any side effects. Within 1 week of using, I noticed citalopram having a positive effect. I have been using it slightly over 2 weeks, and I barely have panic attacks anymore. About every 4 days now, I still have 14 more pills before it’s supposed to fully work. When I started having anxiety, it got worse when I smoked weed. When the effects got too intense, I would freak out and have a panic attack. I quit using weed while I got onto citalopram and also quit alcohol, which of course was hard but totally worth it!"

• Mam...
• May 15, 2017

"I read hundreds of reviews when I was first prescribed this medication, and so many of them were from people having taken it for 3-4 days, which doesn't give you a clear indication of how the medication works. I was advised it would take up to 6 months to see positive results, the side effects were bad to start and lasted around a month, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. I have now been on citalopram for 6 months, so I can confidently say it has been a miracle for me and has helped me get my life back on track."

• lud...
• August 23, 2011

"Have been on 40mg daily for almost 2 years after experiencing a traumatic illness that almost killed me. Citalopram has saved my life by allowing me to function with some degree of normality. I am a 63-year-old male who will probably have to take this medicine for the rest of my life. And believe me, I will do so without complaint!"

• Anonymous
• April 21, 2011

Citalopram "I had lost interest in most areas of my life, lived in a constant state of anxiety and fear, and had become underweight. I struggled to get the right dosage of Celexa, it took about 2 months to get it right. But now, almost a year later, I am a different person. I have started having fun again, almost nothing sets me into panic mode, and have become a healthy weight again since I regained my appetite."

• Mia...
• April 17, 2017

"I started taking citalopram 4 weeks ago for anxiety. I felt rubbish, with symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and nausea for 9 days, then I started to feel so much better. This is the best pick-me-up I have had in ages. My husband said, why didn't you start them sooner? I feel so much better. Give them a go....."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2011

Citalopram "I have been taking Celexa due to many stressful events that made my anxiety almost unbearable. Tough financial times, stress at work, three miscarriages, being away from family, etc. My list is huge. I was surprised I lasted this long without medication. I always tried to convince myself that I could control the panic, fear, stress, and sad feelings, etc. Exercise helped, but I finally decided to get help. I hate the feeling of always being worried, always going to worst-case scenarios, feeling out of place, fearful of even driving, and the unbearable anxiety of trying to conceive again after my traumatic experiences. Anyway, I was prescribed 20 mg of Celexa. Going on week 2 and I hope this is my answer. Already feeling better, with no side effects except yawning."

• you...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2015

"I had been dealing with generalized anxiety disorder my entire life. I couldn't stay focused, no ambition, always thinking the negative of any situation, feeling everyone was out to get me, and even crying a lot and getting down on myself. Until I couldn't take it anymore and went to the doctor. I have been on Celexa for 8 days, started with 10 mg at night for the first 6 days, then bumped up to 20 mg. I started feeling a difference after about day three. I feel absolutely wonderful. No more thinking negative. No anxiety. No trouble falling asleep. My husband even says it's a miracle. I am a happy camper, and the drug hasn't even come into full effect. I wish I would have known sooner about my disorder and Celexa in my early 20s."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2018

"I’m 42, had GAD and mild depression since I was a teenager. Finally had enough of “just coping” and decided to get citalopram. It’s only been a week, but my anxiety went away as soon as I had the first tablet. I’m taking 10 mg at nighttime. Side effects I’ve had so far are the sweats, especially my feet, insomnia, and loss of appetite. But oh my God, I can’t believe how fantastic I feel mentally. It’s surreal, it’s like I’m on a vacation from all the craziness that was in my mind. I feel fantastic, I can enjoy my loved ones so much more now, less anger, less worry. I feel energetic and like I can get on with things. I recommend this drug highly, the side effects are a bit annoying, but it’s only early days, so hopefully, they’ll subside. I’d be happy to take this for the rest of my life, I really wish I’d done this sooner."

• hop...
• May 25, 2015

"On citalopram 3 weeks this time (was on it previously for GAD and panic for 3 years, stopped it as I felt better). A lot of issues recently, bereavement/stress, and the old GAD and panic returned - ably assisted by also going through the menopause! Given the option of HRT or citalopram, I opted for the latter. First 2 weeks were shaky to say the least, but now feeling so much better. Mood has stabilized, sex drive not too bad, but eating so much more. Need to watch weight gain as have only just lost the 2 and a half stone I gained when previously on citalopram! This change has occurred with only being on 10 mg. Hope to stay on this low dose, forever if I have to, feel so much better."