I have been suffering with abit of depression lately mostly stemming from the fact that i have become completely useless at communicating with people. My mind always feels clouded with racing thoughts and i can never figure out what to say. This has given me very low self-esteem and has left me quite paranoid in believing that no one would want to talk to me because i'm unattractive, weird and can barely hold a conversation. However, i am not feeling like this all the time, it comes in waves leaving me with somedays i will be fine with no problems what so ever in communicating but most i will feel dull and irresponsive in most forms of talking. Anyway, is it worth taking this if i think i might be able to manage without it and hope for the best? I saw so signs of improvement after years of awkwardness that's why i decided give them a go. I really fear losing my sexual desire and the other side effects that come with them
I wouldn't recommend medication tbh man only covers the problem not solve it try therapy talk 1 on 1 with some 1 or just relax try hypnosis on youtube have a look at that
Remember there no reason to take meds if u don't want to. Therapy is every bit or more effective as medication, don't take them if you'd rather not.
Hi Gary,
I have bene on Citalopram for 3 years now. At first i started on 10mg as everyone does. I had sickness (not actualky vomitting) for about a week, maybe slightly more. This was only while the tablets got into my system. I then got my dose increased to 20 with no additional side effects. Iv now increased it to 40 and again no more side effects. They tend to only have side effects when you first start on them... Obviously everyone is different. Now i only get the odd bout of sickness. Im never actually sick and it only lasts about 20 seconds which i can cope with.
xx
Medication can help you become more stable before therapy. Some therapy especially CBT make you face your problems head on, therefore often increasing anxiety. Medication can help make a person more stable and able to cope with this before hand, therefore the therapy becomes more effective and easier to cope with. Its actually recommended. And the most effective is to combine CBT with medication. I dont really like medication either, but life is too short to have to suffer, and if it helps someone feel better and be happier in general then i am all for it. At the end of the day they may come with side effects and warnings, but if they are making someones life worth living like they are me, then go for it!!! If the tablets arent right for you, youll soon know about it.xx
Thanks, I'm very indecisive about the entire thing at the moment, I tried talk therapy and did not have positive results however, my family noticed a change that I personally did not. I might combine the two though to increase the potency and effectiveness to get the best result. I just really hope this works so I can start socialising like normal
They will definitly help Gary. You ,ay have to try a couple of dfferent types to find one that suits you best. I didnt. Citalopram are great for me. I do fancy trying something that maybe wont make me feel sick during the days but i dont want the instability when i come off these and have to get used to the new ones so i just cope now. If i havent taken my tablets in a couple of days or more, i can definitly tell... I become irritable and more argumentetive, My issues get worse and more often too... Definitly worth a try. You wont notice munch on 10mg. THey start everyone on this dose to see how you are on it. They will then increase it to 20 if your no good on 10...xx
Hi Gary
I think it's worth taking them - the side effects don't last very long and from my own experience they changed my life. I felt more like the "real me". You can always stop taking them at a later date when you feel ready.
Hi Gary,
now then mate no problems with taking meds whatsoever relating to sex drive etc,at least not long term,maybe to start with,but in my humble opinion,coming from 50yrs worth of anxiety/depression etc it is not worth worrying about.
Yes sure you can go for therapy,didn't do me much good,but has helped many more,I need some medication,pretty severe problems for a long time.
Don't worry about not wanting to talk etc,feeling low,self-esteem,all part of the wonderful package of anxiety and its many side issues,just stay low till the worst passes which it will,I am talking from experience,not meaning to be arrogant,but believe me i have been through it.
I wish you well and good luck with the Citalopram
Hi Gary,
At first I didn't want to take them at all but my anxiety/panic attacks got so bad that I did. The first few days it felt worse but after a week I started to feel better. I have been on them for over ten years and in general it takes the edge of the anxiety and allows you to be yourself again. The main problem I have with them is that I lost my libido but then again it depends how I feel as well. In the last year I felt better so I decided to go down from 20mg to 10mg. The first few days I was sweating and a bit weird but ok. It's been nearly two months and my anxiety returned very badly about 2 weeks ago 
(probably too much stress). I have now re started the 20mg 6 days ago and for some reason I am struggling. Feeling more anxious, like I can't take anything anymore, always on edge... Just horrible!!
I guess everyone is different but compared to the first time I took them it was a piece of cake so don't worry about it. It's there to help you in the long run 
and it really does.
However, has anyone else experienced what I'm going through ATM in going back to 20mg? How long will it last? I'm scared to wake up every morning and realise I still feel like this thank you.
Good luck Gary, you will be fine x
Hi Gary I am on 10mg of Citalopram and only side effect is taking a while to get to sleep. I did start on 20mg but had lots of side effects so reduced dose. I think the low dose will take the edge off as it does with me. I don't realy want to take meds either but feel better for it. Therapy can be good too I had therapy and counselling many years ago and it helped. Hope this helps.
Why not ask your GP to refer you for CBT therapy instead.It seems to be successful for many people.Personally I have always resisted taking medications for personal reasons,but so many people manage very well with them.
I started on 20MG, and a mixture of therapy. It worked wonders on me!
Everyones different, try what works for you.
In my opinion, you can only figure out what works for you over time.
Time is a healer.
Thanks everyone for the great responses, never realised there was a site out there with so many willing people to help each other out. I am actually rathered exicted to try them out now and hopefully get the same postive results they had for most you. It was my first day today and i never experienced anything unusual, maybe perhaps finding it difficult to sleep at the moment but thats quite frequently occurs anyway. I can't stress enough how much yous actually eased my anxiety about taking these, thanks again.
10mg is a low dose and in my experience, if you stick with it, the side effects will go and it will help take the edge off the anxiety. Remember you don't have to take if forever. Think of it as a support you need for the next 6 months or so, just while you get things on track. Then talk to your doctor about coming off them gradually. Don't over worry about relationships. Most important thing to do is to keep talking to people of your own age, even just a quick hi or a chat. This will grow into a friendship and maybe more. Give it time and take things slowly. Your confidence will grow, just be kind to yourself by taking small steps and congratulating yourself when you make something good happen.
how long have you been taking the citalopram? from experience you really need to give it about 6 weeks or so to take effect. and it doesn't happen suddenly, just a gradual realisation that things are less 'bleak' than they were. or that you seem to be able to do a few more things than before. presumably you are taking the citalopram with the support of your GP so go back after 6-8 weeks and discuss how you are coping and also whether you should stay on that dose or move to something higher.
not everyone is affected by the same side effects in the same way or to the same degree, so see how you are affected and if it is too bad then you could discuss this with your GP who might have some other suggestions eg changing meds etc. but give the tablets a chance to work first!
it is not easy being so patient, but please try.
good luck
My dear chap,
You are a teenager, all teenagers are useless at communicating with real people! Everyone knows they just grunt and lounge around in bed! Has noone told you this is perfectly normal? Learn a few jokes, make 'em laugh.
Line up 100 boys of 19 and allow 100 girls of similar age to choose their favourite,
about 5% will go for the quiet one with your looks who doesn't come on to them and is a little bit weird. Don't knock it son you are unique! Don't take medicatiuon to overcome natural behaviour. I have never heard of a teenager losing his sexual desire!! Far from it. I haven't lost it and I have been on Citalopram for 8 years and my age is Mumbly seven! Lighten up lad and learn a musical instrument. Let it all hang out and wait for people to come to you, you don't have to make all the running, I promise. I felt like you years back but we didn't do medications in those days. It all passes with time, age and experience. Medication isn't necessarily the answer.
Hi niccik/Gary,
Am suffering from anxiety and depression... having fear about the future and scared i may lose my job(even there is a good chance that i wont)... Feeling insecure about my job and financial prespective. .. Consulted with a Pschyatrist, she prescribed my Cipralex 10 mg and Prestiq.... started taking it just a 3 days ago. I dont feel and nausea or vomit sensation. my sleep seems to be increased a little bit. My worry is wheteher this medication will be good in reducing my anxiety and depression and my insecure feeling????? what can be its side effects.???... Please advice me on this....
Vikram
I agree. They changed my life also. When i havent taken them i am like a different person. All my issues and anxiety comes flooding back. I am on 40mg now, but these arent much better than 20mg. Side effects for me lasted 1-2 weeks. thats all. And now i get slight sickness (never actually sick) but this only lasts like 20 secs and i only get it 1-2 times per day. THey help me slleep too so i take them before bed.xx