Citalopram and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2022

For Panic Disorder "I have always felt 'normal' up until the last 6 months, so when I developed social anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia, I tried everything to overcome it - yoga, talking therapy, exercise, etc. Nothing was working and my panic was getting severe, so I very reluctantly tried Citalopram. The first couple of weeks were crap. Side effects included depression, increased anxiety, waking up feeling wired, needing the toilet as soon as I woke, sweaty feet, panic attacks at night, and a huge loss in appetite and energy. After day 4, I nearly gave up, BUT I AM SO GLAD I STUCK IT OUT! No more derealization almost immediately after starting Citalopram. After 3 to 4 weeks, I was feeling almost like my old self - and 6 weeks in, I actually can't believe the change. I still experience anxiety, but it feels much more manageable, and I am no longer having multiple panic attacks or bouts of anxiety a day. In conjunction with CBT, Citalopram has been life-changing. Please stick it out for at least a month!"

• 39M...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 22, 2022

For Panic Disorder "Started taking at 30 years old for newly developed panic disorder. Started at 10 mg. Had worse anxiety attack for the first couple of weeks but didn't experience panic afterwards. After a year or two, I developed the side effect of a random feeling of about to ejaculate. I didn't mess myself but thought I would. I dropped the dose to 5 mg, and it seemed to work at least 80 to 90% as well without having that side effect. I wouldn't get full-blown attacks at 5 mg. After seven years, I stopped taking it since I did experience some emotional blunting and loss of libido at 5 mg. Within seven months of stopping the medicine, the panic attacks came back. Mainly while driving on the interstate. I was using 25 mg Benadryl to abort panic attacks at attack onset while not on this, and it works well but makes me sleepy, and after the fifth time or so, I decided to go back on it at 2.5 mg. Been on it about a month with no panic attacks but some mild anxiety still when driving at times. I always keep a 25 mg Benadryl on me just in case."

• Nic...
• August 5, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "This is my 2nd post - original was 2019-07-02. I have been on citalopram for a couple of months now. I started citalopram for uncontrollable anxiety. Now my anxiety is manageable, and I don't have to wake up with chest pain and tightness. However, I start to feel like I am depressed. I believed I have only had anxiety the entire time when I was struggling with this anxiety. Many anxiety/depression sufferers commented that citalopram worked for depression, but not for anxiety. The med does not work for my depression in my case. B"

• Hei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This is one of the worst drugs I have ever tried. I was on 60 mg, and I don't recommend going above 40 mg. If you have bipolar, it made me feel like a zombie and confused. I don't know whether I was happy or normal, no emotions. Also, it gave me terrible vivid dreams every single day, and that's bad, and it did nothing for my OCD. But it may work for you, I just gave my experience."

• Lon...
• October 12, 2010

Citalopram for Depression "I have used Celexa and its generic since 2001. I had suffered from undiagnosed anxiety and depression for years before seeking therapy and medication. At first, Celexa was a godsend. In the space of 3 weeks, I went from 8 severe anxiety attacks a day to less than 8 in the last 9 years. I became more outgoing and confident as a result. I did and continue to have side effects. The long-term effects are basically flat affect, weight gain, increased appetite (I don't need either of those), and sexual indifference. The latter is very difficult to live with, as you might imagine. I have tried to wean myself off Celexa once, in 2005, and it was an unqualified disaster. I guess I'm a 'lifer'."

• Nic...
• July 22, 2017

For Depression "I have been on citalopram 20 mg for exactly two weeks now. Side effects I have been experiencing are nausea, nausea when yawning, constant yawning, appetite decrease (down 13 pounds), fatigue, flat affect (numb personality, expressionless face), and intense, deep negativity. I am taking citalopram for severe anxiety and major depressive disorder. I had some suicidal ideations before starting the medication, but now it feels like my depression is on steroids. I am working closely with my therapist who wants me to speak to my prescribing doc about the dose. I am unsure of what to do at this point because I haven't been on it long enough to experience the benefits. Mostly, I am terrified of being locked up."

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2015

For Depression "I have been on this medication for almost a full month now, and I don't really feel any different. They keep wanting to increase the dosage because they think it will help me. I am on 40 mg, and it just makes me feel like I did before, not happy but not sad. I have periods throughout the day where my mood drops so quickly, and I stay depressed pretty much the rest of the day. I get extremely tired, and it's not good, especially going to school. It's a good medication, but it doesn't work for me, and my anxiety has been out the roof lately."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking citalopram 20 mg for over one year, and it was perfect. Not until lately, like two weeks, it's not working, and my anxiety and depression have started coming back. What should I do? Please help me out."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2021

For Depression "I have been on citalopram for 5 months, and it has completely fixed my mental health. At the start, it allowed me to not obsess over negative thoughts and emotions. Because of this, I took control of my life and now have nothing to feel anxious about. It also stabilized my mood, making me feel consistently normal and like myself. The side effects at the start were horrible, and I had many mental breakdowns, but stick with it, it works."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Never again will I take this drug or anything like it. After 5 days of feeling so ill from this, I ended up in the hospital as my body reacted to it. Heart rate of 150 and high blood pressure. Whole body shaking. Chest pains. Headaches. The sweats. The anxiety and really depressed thoughts while taking it got so bad. Even though I only took it for 5 days."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2022

For Depression "I started taking 10 mg of citalopram 9 weeks ago. It took 8 weeks before I felt the full effect, before that, the first few weeks I felt worse. I had agitation, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Side effects such as nausea, as I take it in the morning, wore off gradually. I found I go to the loo more, but it is a small price to pay. I would say: if you were as bad as I was, stick with it. I am now more calm and relaxed and sleep better too."

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I've suffered with this thing for years and been on citalopram for two 6-month periods. It dulls everything down, squashes the dynamics. So yes, it helps with fending off panic attacks a bit, although not at first, but it turns me into someone else; a lackluster drone. I've found it better to have the dynamics back and deal with the panic attacks in different ways. It deals with symptoms, not root causes. Citalopram exacerbates my feelings of worthlessness that cause the attacks in the first place! I don't find panicless dullness to be of much help in the long run, but it can help short-term. Depression and anxiety have a cause drugs can't deal with. It only fends off symptoms."

• amg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "By far the worst medication I've ever taken. I started it while on paroxetine because I wanted to try a newer SSRI. Once I was weaned off the paroxetine and on 40 mg of citalopram, things got bad. I developed extreme anxiety, panic, and depression (I'm not regularly depressed), and I wanted to die just so it would all stop. I'm going to be transitioning to sertraline, which will hopefully be a great improvement."

• Ddd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Was prescribed Celexa for IBS. Wasn't depressed until I started taking this for IBS. I'm irritated and don't understand why I can't take the Librax, which cured stomach cramps and acid reflux disease. Now I'm in pain, sad, and depressed from the pain."

• Ddd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Was prescribed Celexa for IBS. Wasn't depressed until I started taking this for IBS. I'm irritated and don't understand why I can't take the Librax, which cured stomach cramps and acid reflux disease. Now I'm in pain, sad, and depressed from the pain."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2018

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I took Celexa 6 years ago and took it for a year or two and got off it. I started taking it after withdrawal and severe anxiety. I do not remember the side effects being so severe. Now I am super lethargic, feel some depression (I haven't felt depressed for a while before taking the meds). So I'm not sure where I stand right now. Want to keep taking it but if these side effects keep going I will be forced to quit."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2016

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Celexa does get rid of anxiety, however, it also destroys the rest of your life. They should call it the boner killer because you will never get an erection as long as you take Celexa. And it's tough to call yourself a man if your junk isn't working. That leads to depression. So right now I am in a tough spot. Go back to anxiety, or stay depressed? I don't feel like this throwing darts type of treatment is good. Either something works or it doesn't. In my opinion, if the side effects are worse than the problem, the drug doesn't work."

• DrG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Took 1 dose, 10 mg. 2 hours until effects noticed. Felt like a wave of fog. No concentration, trembling, anxiety, dry mouth, tired, nausea, lack of interest and energy, wanted to function but felt like being mentally restrained. This is a horrible drug, in my opinion. Never, ever again. 12 hours later, effects lessened but still notable. By 21 hours, effects gone, thankfully."

• Mob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Sometimes I think that someone employed by Celexa, Inc. creates the responses I read on this site. Most of the positive experiences do not seem likely. Celexa has been a nightmare for me. It makes me so angry. I'm from the Big Easy and would like to consider myself laid-back. I have a very strong belief that the reason this medication is prescribed so frequently is so the docs or the powers that be can receive the kickback from my pharmacy. I truly believe that. I'm going on month 4 and currently take 40 mgs. I cannot report any positive effects. I can attest to a loss in libido, rashes, depression, weight gain, dry mouth, loss of appetite, aches, and I can go on. And the only reason I take it is to obtain the medication that I do get relief from."

• O...
• November 4, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "It knocks out extreme sadness for me. But I still get the lack of motivation and energy when it comes around. I'm bipolar 1."

• nma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2013

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Made me suicidal and depressed."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2012

Citalopram for Depression "This is my 2nd day taking 10 mg, and I feel dreadful. Hungover, almost. I took Zoloft years ago and can't remember if this fog lifts or not. I just feel sad and miserable, more so than before."

• Tim...
• February 28, 2022

For Depression "Well, I began with 10 mg for two weeks, then 20 mg for 4 weeks, and I take Mirtazapine 15 mg. My sleep improved, but I suffer from fatigue and loss of interest."