Hello 👋
I've been recently diagnosed with anxiety and depression and have been prescribed citalopram that I've now been taking for about a week and have so far made me more anxious which the doctor said might happen. Is anyone else on these, how long did it take to start to improve?
I also experience excessive sweating when I'm anxious, will the tablets help this? How do other people manage this?
Thank you x
Hi & welcome. I have been on Citalopram for a while and it took about 4 weeks to feel the full benefit. So I would persevere with it. I don't remember having sweats but we all react differently. I did have metallic taste in my mouth for a while. Hope the increased anxiety settles soon for you. Sometimes it's trial & error with AntiD's to find one that suits you. Good luck to you
The Citalopram doesn't cause sweating and I have been on it for 10years. It doesn't make you tired and it will take a few weeks to kick in.
Hi yes I was on this med for yrs . Worked amazing . Yeah ur anxiety may rise as this med does this . But please give it time . Any side effects or anything weird happening just try and carry on . They won’t harm you even though u feel they will as having anxiety anyway will add to any weird symptoms . Wish you all the best
Your be fine in few weeks .
X
That's so lovely to hear, it can be hard to power through as it feels like things will never get better. Thank you for the hope x
I took Citalopram for quite a few years with no problem. A few years ago I switched to Escitalopram (Lexapro) as I think it’s better for anxiety. When someone with a lot of anxiety starts to take a new medication, often their anxiety goes up but not due to the actual medication. It’s usually because of their own anxiety at trying a new drug.
My anxiety is closely tied to whatever is going on in my life. If things are okay, then my anxiety is low. If I’m very unhappy or under a lot of stress, it can be very high. Much of anxiety can be controlled or at least lessened without medication. I found the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourne to be a lifesaver. I highly recommend it.
Most antidepressants can take a couple of weeks to kick in. And there is a strong degree of perception (mind over mind) involved. If you think something will work, there is a strong likelihood it will work vs thinking something probably won’t work. And sweating is very common with anxiety. Lower the anxiety, lessen the sweating.
Also, I have found that depression is closely tied to anxiety in that when my anxiety is high, I’m more depressed. So controlling my anxiety reduces my depression. Another way of reducing your anxiety is by controlling your breathing. When you start to get anxious, you tend to hyperventilate which vastly increases your anxiety. Be aware of this and just take a few deep breaths and that should help. Once you see that you have a large degree of control over your anxiety, you will be able to control it better.
Finally, I also recommend taking a Xanax when it’s really bad and nothing else works. Just don’t get into the habit of taking it on a regular basis as it is difficult to come off it once your body gets used to it.
Best wishes. I know how debilitating anxiety and depression are, but you will get better.
Think the answer is to try and be patient with yourself, I am on 20mg in the morning and it also took me about 4 weeks before I saw any improvement.Hope you will soon feel some improvement.
New to Severe and Constant Anxiety 
Somewhat new - Sudden Anxiety
New to dealing with Anxiety and Depression.
New to group, not to anxiety and depression. 
New To Group/Health Anxiety
