Meditation

[Allotmentmad]

There are a lot of people with anxiety which can be hard to express accurately. With me it can be agitation, albeit mild, but it can interfere with coherent thinking. This can make me feel inadequate which then leads to loss of confidence. Worrying is also part of the anxiety profile, and 'overthinking' all of which sets up a loop of 'anxiety'. I haven't read anyone mention meditation which can be really effective in calming the human mind. It's a process that is explained in all forms of media so can be looked up. This is not a religious action, not Buddhist or Catholic although both refer to and use it in religious practice. It just calms the mind and puts you back in control. Like everything else it takes time, but peace of mind and good or improved mental health are worth it! I have come off Citalopram with great difficulty, still suffering agitation and tearfulness but determined to take back control.

[gajh]

I am glad that you have found meditation helpful. I have difficulty focusing on my breath. I have done a body scan meditation which places the focus on a specific body part instead of the breath. I find that easier to do.

[PourSomeSugarOnMe]

it’s great that you find meditation helpful to you, I do too and yoga. I was on the same tablets as you and boy was it difficult coming off them. I tapered off them with doctors advice and help but it took a good few months for them to get out of my system completely but I think it’s fantastic that you enjoy meditation also. I wish you all the best 🙏

[designguy]

Yes, it's also a good way to detach from your anxious thoughts and realize how much they are just lies and you don't have to believe them.

[HughT]

May I ask why you stopped taking it?

I am bi-polar and was prescribed it to cope with anxiety and it really helps.

When I tried to go off recently my anxiety came back

[Allotmentmad in reply to HughT]

I was taking Citalopram primarily for depression, but suffered agitation and heightened anxiety when I was coming off it. I am in my early seventies and did not want to be taking this sort of drug into my old age. I reduced it over time by halving the dose and running down the days I took it etc but I was still shocked at how my symptoms returned and it's been a struggle. These drugs are very powerful and mind altering - that's why we take them, but there comes a point, it did for me, when you ask yourself the question.....

[PourSomeSugarOnMe]

I find it really helpful with anxiety especially, there are free tutorials on YouTube and guided meditation to get you started if you do decide to try it