Hi all,
Just wanted to understand what was the general advice from your doctors to you about the period required to take citalopram for? I've been taking it for the last 5 months, mainly for anxiety, a bit of OCD and to overcome depression, and the pyschiatrist who prescribed citalopram didn't give me a definite time frame for which to take it.
My psychotherapist to whom I gave my history of Class A drug usage (mainly MDMA, speed, ectasy and a bit of cocaine) says that my serotonin levels would be so depleted that it would take a couple of years on antidepressants to get back to normal!
Just wondering what others have been advised, and when do we really know that we are fully cured before we can stop for sure. I don't want to be on antidepressants all my life! Especially if they lower my libido!
Hi funkdakarma!
I think the mimnimum term people are on AD's is 6 months, doctors don't like you to come off them before that time. I was on them for 4 years, came off them and 6 months later I'm back on them! Everyone is different.
Is there a reason you feel like you need to come off them? Other than the libido thing (which does suck!!)
x
Thanks Holly.
It's just that I don't want to be dependent on meds for the rest of my life. At some point I want to know they have worked conclusively and I'm cured for good.
And yes, the libido too :-) Im a guy so (not be sexist) it hurts even more
Not sexist at all, I think it is worse for guys!
Have you tried therapy alongside the meds? That will be the best way to be clear of meds. If you get to the route of it, when you're really ready you can come off them and try to combat it yourself if it returns.
Yes I'm seeing a psychotherapist as well. I actually tried to go cold turkey off the meds when I started seeing the psychotherapist but I had such bad withdrawal symptoms I had to go back.
Really hoping things start improving for me over the coming months. Good luck to you too!
Dr told me at least 6 months before i try to come off them.