How to know when to switch meds?

[NervousKel]

I went on antidepressants for the first time 5 years ago. I was having a lot of anxiety, and some depression. I was prescribed Citalopram, and it's worked great for me the last 5 years. Not so much as a blip. It really changed my life for the better.

Now, the last two weeks my anxiety (and at times depression) has returned. It's not all the time, and it'sn certainly better than it was five years ago. I think it may be due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (late spring here this year), but I'm not sure.

I went in to the doctor last week, and got a prescription for the generic of Lexapro (I'm at max dose for Citalopram, so they can't up that). I haven't taken it yet, though. I'm so afraid of the start up effects, and that it won't work as well as the Cit has previously.

How do you know when it's time to switch? Should I give this a few more weeks, and hope it's just a blip? Or is it time to try generic Lexapro?

[NervousKel]

Ugh, one month later and I'm still asking myself the same question!!

I stayed on the Citalopram. After 2-3 weeks of anxiety, I had about 2 weeks of being almost back to my old self. Now, the past 4 days I've apparently back slid again. It's not as bad as it was a month ago, but still unpleasant.

I don't know what to do: try to weather this out and hope I perk up in a few weeks, or switch to the escitalopram?