Quote Originally Posted by mcray1981 View Post
Hi Rich,

I'm doing ok these days. Still a few ups and downs but nothing compared to pre citalopram or during weeks 3-7.

Weeks 3-7 were hellish for me - anxiety went sky high, constantly tense and panicky but it did pass and on the other side there were blue skies. I had a lot of people supporting me through those weeks and took some time off work as concentration was shot. I was also prescribed beta-blockers to deal with some of the physical symptoms i was having.

My best advice is possible is to keep talking to people if you can, keep assuring yourself that it will pass and tell yourself that the anxiety is just feelings and can't hurt you. There is also a very good Citalopram survival guide on this site.

I find when it starts to work for me I notice that the clouds lift in the evenings and then gradually hour by hour this gets earlier.

Good luck - its not easy but give it time.

Andrew
Hi Andrew

Thanks so much for your words of advice and encouragement. Funny thing you mentioning clouds lifting in the evening - I live for the evenings at the moment, they represent safety and security (as I write this I realise how irrational it sounds but hey, that’s anxiety right!?). I managed to get through the initial hell without taking any time off work, I still can’t believe how good I am at faking happiness and normality and nobody’s any the wiser! You’re right, being engaged and interacting with people is far better than having nothing to do. I actually realised yesterday that it was the first generation antihistamine I had used causing the depression and apathy, so today has been relatively okay, seem to be getting better at pushing the anx away. Certainly chalk and cheese when compared with the early days and that nightmare.
There is a future, it’s brighter and I have hope.

All the best to you Andrew and thanks again for your reply.


Richard