Anxiety and depression

[Djh64]

My name is Donna and I am going through a really bad time at the moment with anxiety and depression. My gp has put me on 20mg of citalopram but at the moment I have got worse with my anxiety but I have only been on medication for 11 days.can anyone tell me do things get better?.

[Shnookie]

Hi it’s Shnookie. I’m sorry that U R going thru this. Many times, it takes several weeks for the medicine to kick in. I would suggest calling your doctor’s office to see how long it should take for the Med to kick in. I’m here 4 U hugs 🤗 S

[Hidden]

Hi Donna and welcome! In addition to what Schnookie says, please take care of yourself and show yourself kindness and patience. Feelings of depression and anxiety are so dang uncomfortable, and it's only natural for us humans to want those uncomfortable thoughts to go away as quickly as possible. Allow yourself to feel what you feel. I for one am discovering that I spend way to much energy fighting my feelings and emotions. I spend so much time doing so that I don't leave energy to take care of the number 1 person in my life -- me!!

[Gillyflower18]

Hi Donna! What you’re feeling is not unusual for just starting a new med. it takes time. If it’s really bad call the doctor. You may be able to slowly work up to your dose with his/her permission. Some people are just super sensitive. I know because I’m one of them! Hang in there you’ll feel better!

[Djh64]

How will I know that my citalopram is working?

[Dell12345]

Hi Donna, You should start to feel the effects within a 2-4 weeks generally, with full effects after around 6-8 weeks.

You should feel a reduction in your anxiety and be able to do more or function better than you have been.

It may be work keeping a diary of you average anxiety and depression over the day, with a score out of ten for each.

That way you can see if you have improved over time. It will be up and down but the general trend should be a reduction in your scores of the medication is working. X

[Djh64 in reply to Dell12345]

Hi I am feeling terrified at the moment will the medication make me feel calmer?

[Djh64]

O thankyou ever so much I am really anxious and struggling at the moment can’t see any end of this anxiety at the moment and also can’t stop trembling will I feel braver in myself what the medication start to work?

[Dell12345]

Hi Donna, it is horrible, I've been there, still feel it occasionally, but yes the medication will make you feel calmer. Citalopram seems to be the go to medication for first try in the UK, and is very effective for many people, but if citalopram doest work then there are lots of other medications that are also effective.

In the short term, while you are waiting for the citalopram to work, you could ask your doctor for some Diazapam.

X

[Lin1944 in reply to Dell12345]

I have just changed anti depressents and my GP has given me Benzodiazepines 5 mg to help me get over the bad days. I use them very sparingly as they are addictive but are such a great help when feeling very low.

[Dell12345]

Have you tried the Thrive app? It can be quite helpful. You can get a loggin code via the NHS. X

[TrippyLife]

My days became more brighter after I micro-dosed psilocybin mushrooms for 18 weeks and started meditating.A friend was the one who advised me to use after I made her confess to me all the benefits and changes psilocybin did to her.We are on a path now to discover our true purpose and experience more visits to the sources .

[Adeelkhalid17]

I've taken citalopram in the past, you do feel worse before you feel better. I'd give it another week or so hopefully the anxiety should settle down. If it hasn't then I would speak to the GP again, as there's other meds you can try like sertraline, which is what I'm taking at the mo.