Two weeks ago I upped my citalopram dose from 20-25mg, following an unpleasant life event. I wanted to share my experience because even the smallest increase (in my case by 25%) can have some major and at some points, unbearable side effects. But remember, these are temporary!
Main symtoms:
- My anxiety levels have rocketed, taking the form of a more generalised anxiety rather than social anxiety, of which I was originally diagnosed. My heart for much of the day beats much more rapidly, often without any trigger event. I also often feel like crying for no real reason.
- Getting to sleep is usually okay. But I have woken up at 5-6am almost every day with almost panic attack level anxiety and almost unbearable and torturous emotional pain. My mind focuses and obsesses on the most unpleasant aspect of the things happening in my life right now. Things which are bound to cause me stress and anxiety, but I have broadly rationally dealt with and come to conclusions about. Such anxiety is still present when I wake up again.
- I have woken up a few times with my entire body is a sweat. But my palms seem to sweat pretty much non-stop.
When previously upping my citalopram, I had the identical issues. They are incredibly hard to deal with at the time, because no matter how much you rationalise your issues, or tell yourself that they are a temporary side-effect of upping the dose, they are very much physical and uncontrollable.
It is also incredibly hard to distinguish what pain you are dealing with can be naturally attributed to the events themselves and what are merely made worse by the dosage.
It is so important to keep reminding yourself of the impact of the dosage, and that the pain and anxiety is not a reflection of your actual mental state.
I hope this helps others!
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