Citalopram and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• pde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is the third time I am on Cit. This time it's 30 mg. The first time was 10 mg, and then 20 mg, and now 30 mg. I am very sensitive to the side effects. Anxiety increases (both mental and physical symptoms). Now, after 7.5 weeks (5 weeks on 20 mg and 2.5 weeks on 30 mg), feeling a lot better. The physical symptoms are close to gone. The enthusiasm to do all the chores and office work is slowly (very slowly) coming back. Waiting to feel my old self again."

• mad...
• December 10, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "One day out of the blue, I started experiencing extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I would wake up in the middle of the night shaking and sweating. I couldn't eat, sleep, or socialize with my friends. I was scared at first but finally decided to try Celexa. Initially, the side effects sucked: insomnia, increased anxiety, and a weird fuzzy head feeling. I switched to taking it in the morning, and that helped with the insomnia. I also slowly titrated by 5 mg up to my recommended dose, which lessened the side effects. All in all, I'm very happy with the results. I rarely get anxious anymore. For those of you just getting on to it, give it time."

• des...
• February 17, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking this a couple of years ago during the end of a very stressful relationship. I started with 10 mg and eventually went up to the 20 mg. This higher dose made me jittery and nervous. I couldn't concentrate or focus. I went back to the 10 mg and stayed there. I feel happy and at ease. I laugh, and little things don't make me have panic attacks. I have tried a couple of times to stop using this, and within a few weeks, the smallest things make me want to give up and send me into a few-day depression. I would like to stop taking it and be my normal self. I love that I feel great on it but want to learn to feel this way without it as well."

• des...
• February 17, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking this a couple of years ago during the end of a very stressful relationship. I started with 10 mg and eventually went up to the 20 mg. This higher dose made me jittery and nervous. I couldn't concentrate or focus. I went back to the 10 mg and stayed there. I feel happy and at ease. I laugh, and little things don't make me have panic attacks. I have tried a couple of times to stop using this, and within a few weeks, the smallest things make me want to give up and send me into a few-day depression. I would like to stop taking it and be my normal self. I love that I feel great on it but want to learn to feel this way without it as well."

• Sne...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 10, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was put on citalopram when I was 9 years old, and I am now 25. It was prescribed to me to help with panic attacks, OCD, and a phobia. According to my parents, the medication was effective within a week. I am not really sure if I have ever experienced side effects because of how young I was when I started. Citalopram greatly helps suppress panic attacks and intrusive thoughts for me. Instead of having panic attacks every day, now I only have them once every few months. Along with this medication, I also spent over a decade in therapy. Attempts to stop taking this medication caused anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and panic to interfere with my daily life. Citalopram works well for me, but results vary from person to person."

• MxM...
• July 6, 2017

Citalopram for Depression "Experienced depressive symptoms lightly for years. Then over the past year, when exposed to many life stressors, it has been significant in impairing my quality of life. Celexa has greatly improved my quality of life, and most days I feel little to no depressive thoughts. I have been taking Celexa for 6 weeks. It also got rid of my anxiety (70-80% of it) and has improved my OCD symptoms a great deal. I started on 5 mg, upping to 10 mg."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "Been on citalopram for just over 3 months, and it’s worked wonders so far. I struggle with anxiety, depression, OCD, and body dysmorphia, and I can’t even put into words how much of a struggle it was day to day. I was so anxious socially, I didn’t have any motivation to get out of bed and was totally disgusted with my self-image. Now I can go out without feeling anxious and feel like a totally new person. I still have pretty bad OCD, irritating thoughts that just pop into my head, but I’m hoping in time they will clear. If you’re reading this review, DON’T give in. I was in the exact same boat 3 months back, feeling worthless and pessimistic about life, but give the medication time. I believe in you."

• Jes...
• February 4, 2021

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "10 years ago, I had a lot of things going on at home and work and was very stressed! I was having chest pain and headaches every day. I was started on Celexa 10mg - that stopped my chest pain. I was then increased to 20mg, and that stopped my headaches. I still have times when I feel overwhelmed, and I have Xanax for those times when I feel I’m about to lose it! I do feel that sometimes I don’t care enough about some things. My husband makes sure I don’t run out. He calls them my 'Be so much nicer to my husband pills.'"

• Lin...
• June 10, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Posted nearly a year ago about how I was doing, which was good at the time. Having been on it for 12 months, I thought I could do an update. It has been really good for me. I suffer all the severe physical symptoms that come with anxiety, and citalopram keeps them in check. I do notice if I forget to take my dose (20 mg) for more than 2-3 days, my anxiety flares up again. I still have the occasional off day, but it's never been anywhere near my pre-medication days. Happy with the low dose. I really recommend exercise and eating well if you suffer from anxiety. You can't make a judgment on only a week's worth or less of taking this drug. I see lots of people posting 1 star after a day on it. You need at least 4-6 weeks to see changes."

• mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2013

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "First 2 days were euphoric and nothing could upset me. Then got more irritable and anxious. Stomach in knots. Then came depression and thoughts of suicide, along with anxiety. Yawning all the time. This is day 7 and I left a message with my doctor this morning letting her know I couldn't feel like this for another week in hopes that it would possibly even out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2018

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for almost two months now. I was wary about starting this medication because of the reviews. The initial side effects are rough. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or talk to anyone, really. I had very bad twitching and heightened anxiety. About two weeks after starting it, I finally noticed a difference. Two months later, (now) I am very happy and don’t have much anxiety. Keep in mind it has to get worse to get better (starting the medication)."

• Bec...
• March 9, 2020

For Panic Disorder "2020, and my anxiety and panic are back with a vengeance! Think this was down to being told that I had high blood pressure at a fitness assessment. My anxiety has always been triggered by ill health, anything I can control about my body or health. So anyway, back to the docs I go, he’s put me back on Citalopram 20 mg. I’ve been taking one every morning, and I’m on day 7. My anxiety and panic seem high, I’m not sleeping great, and when I do, I wake up covered in sweat! My hands and feet feel constantly clammy. I have had very loose bowel movements, a loss of appetite, and a terrible dry mouth. And I have an awful feeling in my chest, like fuzzy and tingling, followed by heart flutters. After reading all the reviews on here, I am going to soldier on with the meds and give them another few weeks to work, as I know that the last time I took them, they worked wonders for me. Fingers crossed this all comes right."

• Ram...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "56 yr old male. I dealt with GAD all my life but had it under control and learned how to manage it. After getting the bad flu, my GAD kicked in on high gear and developed major anxiety and panic for some reason. I kept researching if the flu could create anxiety. Yes, it does. Ample research shows being sick changes the brain chemicals and hormones, which causes anxiety, especially with people who are susceptible to it. After the sickness passed, my anxiety remained. It got so bad I became crippled and unable to function well. I have been prescribed Cit 20mg. For the next three weeks, I was living in hell, with increased anxiety, racing thoughts, anxious, small non-stop panics, crying. I wanted to stop the medicine, but I kept reading reviews here, and they all said, 'stick with it.' On week 4, it’s like the screen of anxiety dropped. I am feeling normal again, with light background anxiety, primarily due to my fears of getting the anxiety again. Slowly progressed and now feel fine."

• Zoe...
• August 3, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Celexa about 1 1/2 weeks ago, started at 10 mg and upped to 20 three days ago. I had been on Zoloft prior for about 5 years, but it stopped working. I was off of it for about 2 months before starting Celexa. Experiencing an increase of anxiety, tiredness, and an overall sense of exhaustion. Does it get better? Will these side effects go away eventually? My doctor said the increased anxiety is not caused by the meds. Yes, I was anxious and needed something, but my anxiety is much higher since taking the meds, so I don't necessarily believe the doctor 100%. I want to stop taking it, but I also want to feel 'normal,' and I know these meds can be very helpful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2008

Citalopram for Depression "I have been on Celexa for about 4 months now. I was diagnosed with depression when I was 13 (hereditary). At first, my mother had me go to therapy for help. The therapy helped me figure myself out but didn't help me with my depression. I switched doctors, and my new doctor prescribed me Celexa. It helped me considerably with my depression and my anxiety and stress problems. I take a small dose at night along with a herbal supplement to help me sleep. I don't feel hopeless or 'boxed' anymore. I really like this medication, and I plan to stick with it for a while."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2008

Citalopram for Depression "I have been on Celexa for about 4 months now. I was diagnosed with depression when I was 13 (hereditary). At first, my mother had me go to therapy for help. The therapy helped me figure myself out but didn't help me with my depression. I switched doctors, and my new doctor prescribed me Celexa. It helped me considerably with my depression and my anxiety and stress problems. I take a small dose at night along with a herbal supplement to help me sleep. I don't feel hopeless or 'boxed' anymore. I really like this medication, and I plan to stick with it for a while."

• Ano...
• May 25, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Started taking citalopram after experiencing chronic anxiety for months. The first time I was on it for a year and the doctor tapered me off, and I had no side effects and no anxiety for about 7 years. In 2018, stress caused anxiety, so I decided to go to my doctor to be put back on. Doc prescribed me citalopram 20 mg, which kicked in a few weeks after my first dose. I felt normal again. After almost 2 years, I decided I was well and thought I could come off them again like I did the first time. Boy, was I wrong. This time around, symptoms started kicking in a few weeks after my last pill. I experienced horrible symptoms: nausea, crying, nervousness, panic, no appetite, gagging, dry heaving, fatigue, intrusive thoughts. After 3 weeks, I went back to my doctor to be put back on the meds. It’s been 6 weeks, and I feel better. I’m able to eat now, less gagging, less intrusive thoughts. I feel the medication is slowly starting to work. I definitely feel a lot better than I did a month ago."

• Ble...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

Citalopram for Depression "I have been on Celexa due to depression and chronic neuropathic pains. After three weeks, my pains have really gone down, but I temporarily get brain fog in the morning and severe anxiety. I also feel chest pains and difficulty in breathing. I also have gastrointestinal issues, which the doctor says are not due to Celexa, but due to anxiety, which will come down as I continue taking the drug. So far, it's good on pains, but anxiety and side effects are not so good for now."

• BBC...
• October 8, 2017

Citalopram for Depression "I am on my second round of Celexa. I took it many years ago for a few years, only 10 mg a day. It definitely worked, but after a few years, I decided to get off it. You need to wean yourself off it very slowly if you’ve taken it for a long time. I experienced voices and hallucinations the first couple of days going off it completely after I thought I had weaned myself enough, so I had to wean myself for another month. I had never had symptoms like that in my life. However, I got off of it. Now my depression and anxiety came back for quite a bit, so I went back on Celexa 20 mg, and it is definitely helping. My recommendation is to avoid a lot of caffeine while on this drug, or you will notice anxiety increases more so than when you’re not on Celexa."

• cha...
• August 13, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking 10 mg of Celexa a day for almost 3 weeks now. The first week I experienced minor side effects, excessive yawning, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, and so on. I came around to the medication about 5 days into it and was feeling good, I wasn't anxious about socializing, and I wasn't having as many negative thoughts (this lasted a week). But now I'm feeling as though I'm returning to my old self. This might be too early to call, as I've only taken 18 days' worth of tablets, but I'm beginning to think my body has built a tolerance for it already. I'm due for an appointment with the doc next week, so I will inquire about possibly upping the dosage and will review again once I have. I've never taken antidepressants, so trial and error, I suppose!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "I have only been on Celexa for 4 days. I take 10 mg. I sleep very little, sweating, nausea, and have become very anxious about everything. I do drink a lot of water. I just want to feel like myself again."

• Als...
• October 6, 2020

For Depression "I really think that term 'old self,' which I see commonly referred to when reviewing citalopram, is the best way to describe it. I'm not euphoric all the time; it is not a happy pill. Rather, I have just returned to a familiar state that I had lost touch with. Social skills are the best they have been in years. Previously, I was scared to go outside and would stay locked in my room for days on end. I now relish every opportunity to get out and interact with other humans; something I had always loved but lost touch with as things deteriorated. Everyone's experience is different, but citalopram has worked well for me. I still feel emotions; I still get sad or upset or nervous, but I also laugh until my belly hurts and get real joy from everyday interactions. This is a massive change from where I was at, which was cut off, terrified, constantly ruminating, and experiencing severe anhedonia. It was about 6-7 weeks for me before I started to notice a change, and the rocky period subsided."

• Kas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

Citalopram for Depression "The side effects were horrible. Fatigue, GI problems, headaches, hot flashes, sleep issues and nightmares, general malaise, increased anxiety, and a zombie feeling. The clinician said I will get used to it after a while. To me, this is poisoning your body and having your body get 'used' to the poison over time. Definitely not for me."

• Bad...
• May 19, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I was having stress issues dealing with family and work issues. I was prescribed Celexa 20 mg, and about an hour after the 3rd dose, I began to have severe anxiety attacks. My heart was pounding, and I had to run outside, feeling claustrophobic and severely depressed. I was told to stop the drug immediately, but it still took 72 hours for the side effects to go away. I had anxiety attacks several times a day, loss of appetite, and depression during that time. I realize this was a rare reaction, but my message is to be prepared when you take something like this."

• tha...
• July 21, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication has saved my life! I have always been a Type A person, a worrywart. However, as I approached my 40s, I started having major anxiety attacks that left me feeling like I was going crazy. I was scared to death that I would never find relief and was terrified about taking pills, so I chose to go the natural route with herbs, meditation, exercise, and diet. Those things helped, but my anxiety was still out of control, so I finally went to see a psych who prescribed Citalopram. The first 6 weeks were HELL with major increased anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite. My doc prescribed Ativan to help while the Citalopram started working, but I was afraid to take them (stupid!). After 6 weeks (30 mg), life was wonderful. I'll never go off."