Hi there, i am just looking for alittle bit of advice please, i have OCD, anxiety and depression, i am a 26 year old male and have been taking citalopram for around 4 years, about 8 month ago i decided that i would stop taking the medication as i was confident enough i didn't need them anymore, this was the worst thing i have done.
The last 2 month have been a massive struggle which has resulted on me going back onto citalopram (10mg)... i am now on around my 15th day since i restarted and for the last 2 days i have been having 'suicidal thoughts' ... it was triggered by reading a story online the other night of someone taking their own life and since then i have been struggling.
I must stress i don't want to act on these thoughts, even though i have depression i still see a future for me and i always try and stay positive, i am just curious to see if anyone else struggled with these type of thoughts from citalopram (around the 2-3 weeks stage) as i have read these type of thoughts are actually quite common.
Also if anyone has had similiar thought's how did you manage to deal with them, i believe they will pass in time but they are obvousily very distressing.
Any advice would be great,
Thankyou,
Gary.
Hi Gary
Best keep away from sad stories when you're feeling so low. Suicidal thoughts can be a contraindication of Citalopram so might be worth checking out with your doctor. I they should pass as you have said but please do check it out. Try and reason with those thoughts and dump them in the "short term med side effect" of which you are in complete control of.
All the best mate.
Peter
Hi Gary
I've been on Citalopram twice and had a different experience both times. The second time it took longer to kick in and had different side effects. Luckily to say they eventually worked, so I'm certain they'll work for you too especially as they did before.
Intrusive thoughts are a side effect of anxiety. There's no truth behind them (as you've also said its not something you wish to actually do) but know how upsetting they can be. When you're suffering with anxiety, thoughts are usually anxious too, and because they come with anxiety they frighten you and becausej your mind becomes tired upsetting thoughts stick to a tired mind with the anxiety keeping them there. Once the meds start working and the anxiety eases, these thoughts will ease too and will no longer bother you.
I had my fair share of weird and wonderful thoughts - and yes, they are very common indeed. As said - they are actually just a side effect of anxiety.
Best thing is to accept the thoughts will be there for a while whilst you recover. Try and relax, even whilst moving around (anxiety likes a tense body), and try and let those thoughts just come and go but understand they're temporary and they're only there because you have anxiety. An anxious body produces anxious thoughts. Don't try and push them away and they'll stick even more. I remember how distressing they are, but they will go.
Agree with smithcat too. Suicidal thoughts can also be a side effect of the meds, and of course as anxiety is heightened with meds they are there because of anxiety too. Do check with your doctor though and let him know so you keep him in the picture.
They will go though ......
K x
Definitely stay away from media and stick to light hearted programmes and reading at the moment. It is like there is no filter at this stage of your progress therefore information goes in and is harder to assimilate in the mind. Mindfulness is a great tool for keeping in the here and now and it sounds like you are a positive person and know you will get better.