5 weeks on 40mg. Had a panic attack today. Still worth continuing?

Treatment and medication
1

Hello all,

A bit of background information. I’ve been struggling with anxiety and panic disorder for the last 4-5 years. The last year it got really bad. I couldn’t go to work and basically didn’t leave my house. Isolating myself and withdrawing from any activities.

I decided together with my psychiatrist that meds could be helpful in my recovery. I’ve been on 20mg citalopram for 6 weeks but didn’t notice ANY change. I then got upped to 40 and I’m now 5 weeks on 40mg.

Around 3.5-4 weeks into 40mg I noticed a positive difference that has continued for the last week. It is pretty subtle but I’m able to have a bit more conversations with people and everything feels a little less heavy.

I was happy thinking my meds started working so I was hoping my panic attacks were a thing of the past now. I went to the hairdresser for the first time since 8 months(!) but I had a pretty big panic attack there and I had to leave halfway through my haircut. I obviously am disappointed in the meds and myself.

Will the effect of the medication become more noticeable over time or is 5 weeks around the peak effect? Is it worth continuing these or should I switch to another med?

Thanks all for reading and replying! Anxiety and panic is no fun but well get through this.

Xo

2

Hi David,looking at your situation it seems to me you’ve made massive improvement by even thinking of going to the hairdressers. I used to dread going to the hairdressers and the dentist,so if you went that’s a really good achievement after only 5 weeks on 40mg. You’re looking at months for that improvement to continue which it will. I would feel very positive that it’s working for you,and look at that hairdressing situation as a positive and forget the panic attack,that will eventually subside as you gain confidence. Don’t mess with your medication now,keep going. Good luck.

3

Thanks for your reply and the hopeful message. I will try to look at it as a positive that I tried after such a long time.

Here’s to hoping it will improve over time as you mention. I thought peak effects were at 6 weeks but I’ll give it more time.