Citalopram Success story

Treatment and medication
1

Hi all,

I used to visit these sights daily as times were extremely tough and there appeared to be no end in sight. Times have since changed and I realised today that haven’t visited these sights in a while. I therefore thought I would share my success story with you in hope that you will soon be telling your own success stories!

I have suffered with severe depression and anxiety since 14 (I am now 21). I was extremely depressed, had social phobia when with people I didn’t know, agoraphobic, wasn’t eating, wasn’t sleeping, self harming, suicidal, no self-esteem, no self-worth, no motivation to even get out of bed etc etc.

After recently graduating university I had to find a job but couldn’t even leave my house and I realised that I had to seek help or would have done something stupid. I was put on citalopram 20mg. For the first 2 weeks I had no feelings at all. No downs but also no ups and basically a zombie. For the next 2 weeks my symptoms got progressively worse and I started to self-harm again and thought about suicidal constantly. I therefore upped my dosage to 30mg.

Within 2 days I started to feel better and this only increased over the coming days. I’m now past 6 weeks and am feeling great. I no longer think of suicide, am happier with myself, socialising more, have the motivation to change my lifestyle (exercising, eating healthily, improving sleeping pattern- all of which will only help your mood). I’m now planning my future as opposed to planning my own funeral. Whilst my anxiety has definitely improved, it still hasn’t completely gone and therefore I am about to start CBT therapy to help this. Without the citalopram I definitely wouldn’t have had the courage to even go to therapy.

The point in me writing this is to let you know that it will get better, if you’re still at the early stages of citalopram keep going and the side effects will go. If you’re tentative about starting citalopram, give it a go and if it doesn’t work for you, try another medication because one will work for you.

Accept and be happy with who you are. Things will get better

2

Hi James

Thats a lovely story and am so pleased you've found peace at long last.  Absolutely brilliant!  Like you, I suffered from anxiety and depression for many years and this medicine helped me back on track and have been well for many years now.

Its great to hear success stories.  Wishing you well in all you do now.

K xx

3

So great to hear your success story James. Like you I am really happy and anxious free but been on citalopram now for 12 months. You will only go from strength to strength now.

Wishing you all the very. Best..

4

There's a patient on this site just posted about his/her 13 year old son with agoraphobia and has just started taking Citalopram.  I mentioned your name on her post as you have had similar issues.  It's Doofus88.

K x

5

I recently started last night and am starting to feel the side-effect I think. I feel tired, my jaw is jittery and I do get anxious but it seems to go away quickly and my brain seems to be wondering where it went. Its like I'm forgetting everything now. 

I was an alcoholic and recently quit and my doctor put me on this drug. It's only my first dose so I could be just imagining it or perhaps a placebo effect, anyone have similar reactions to this?

6

James you are a true champion!!! thankyou for such great words of encouragement its nice to hear people coming thru their illness you have made my day I love hearing about good people getting thru its just groovy! well done my man and enjoy the great journey your life is about to take also congrats on graduating too the sky is the limit!!!