Re: Re: Withdrawal from Citalopram - i am scared.

[Guest guest]

I was taking Citalopram on and off over a period of five years. Suffering from

clinical depression as a result of my son's illness.

The last time I took these meds were about 2.5 years ago, I reduced the dose

slowly and still had withdrawal affects. Withdrawal makes you feel anxious,

stressed I felt as if the depression was returning and started to panic as I

didn't want to go back there. I also experienced sharp shooting pains inside my

head periodically. (I expect you know these meds are SRI's)

I decided to ride it out and see what happened, by this time I had learnt quite

a lot about mental health and decided the only way I could do this was a bit

like mind over matter. I kept reminding myself I wasn't always like this, I

hadn't been on medication for the whole of my life I could be the way I was

before. It was a struggle especially the first 6 - 8 weeks as time passed it

started to get easier.

I had a bit of a blip and went back on them for a brief period... a few weeks,

then I went for it again. This time I succeeded, I have had periods of stress

since then even felt depressed at times, but what I have come to realise is

these times pass and I can do it without meds. My head is also much clearer,

when on meds I sometimes felt as if the inside of my head was in a clamp. Not

painful just heavy and tight, I also experienced shooting pains in my shoulders,

neck and in the back of my head, sometimes hearing a cracking or clicking sound.

I do not think this was the meds as such I think this was caused more by tension

which was the affect the stress was having upon me.

I do think it helps to educate yourself on the affects of stress and how it

affects your mental health, the more you learn the more power you have over the

symptoms. It isn't easy but not impossible/

And here was I joining this group to learn from all of you! Just goes to show we

have all had experiences one way or another.

Pam>>

** Hi Pam, the depression you experienced is an example of endogenous

depression (see my response to Shortstorygal). It was perfectly normal given

the situation. You should have been allowed to experience it and guided in how

to process it, not drugged.

Regards,

Re: Withdrawal from Citalopram - i am

scared.

>

> Hi, I have been on anti depressants for several years and am in my

3rd

> year of taking Citalopram. I am really scared of coming off, not just

> because of symptoms but also afraid of depression returning

I felt this way too. I think it's a common misperception for a few

reasons. One, upon experiencing withdrawal symptoms when people

discontinue the medication, they are told that what the symptoms really

mean is that the depression has returned, and the drug needs to be

reinstated to keep it at bay. This is utter rubbish. The problem with

withdrawal from the drug.

Second, unless something is done to address the original cause of the

depression, then it's entirely possible that the original symptoms will

still be there. However, this presents a golden opportunity for the

depressed person to empower themselves to make changes for the better.

Depression is often the wake-up call that the body resorts to when

changes in one's life need to be made, but the need is being ignored.

People can further repress the body's communication by stifling the

depressive symptoms through drugs. But this then robs them of the

responsibility they have to themselves to start putting things right.

The approach here is two-fold. Depressive symptoms are often caused by

poor diet. This can be responsible for a wide variety of medical and

emotional problems. We address this by eating Paleo and taking high

quality nutritional supplements. Secondly, there's a lot of help

available here for people who are trying to change their perspective on

things. It might help if you think about any factors in your life that

might have helped to trigger the depressive symptoms, what needs aren't

being met. After I got my own diet and supplements sorted out I started

some cognitive behaviour therapy work, and it's really changing how I

think about things.

So by coming here and following the advice you are given, there's no

need to be afraid. You might like to dip into the files and read the

stories there of how some of the people on the list recovered from

years of being on multiple drugs. Whenever I feel low or am struggling,

I think of them, and remind myself that it could be a lot worse, and

that things will get better.

You'll be giving yourself a really good start if you follow the

tapering guidelines here. Coming off your drug too fast can cause a lot

of damage to your body.

Welcome to the list then, and best wishes for your healing. Do let us

know if you have any questions.

[Guest guest]

Thanks

I haven't as yet read your reply to Shortstory gal, what I eventually put this down to was reactive depression. I am guessing this is what endogenous depression is.

I know it's normal now, back then I didn't.

Pam

Re: Withdrawal from Citalopram - i am scared.>> Hi, I have been on anti depressants for several years and am in my 3rd > year of taking Citalopram. I am really scared of coming off, not just > because of symptoms but also afraid of depression returning I felt this way too. I think it's a common misperception for a few reasons. One, upon experiencing withdrawal symptoms when people discontinue the medication, they are told that what the symptoms really mean is that the depression has returned, and the drug needs to be reinstated to keep it at bay. This is utter rubbish. The problem with withdrawal from the drug.Second, unless something is done to address the original cause of the depression, then it's entirely possible that the original symptoms will still be there. However, this presents a golden opportunity for the depressed person to empower themselves to make changes for the better. Depression is often the wake-up call that the body resorts to when changes in one's life need to be made, but the need is being ignored. People can further repress the body's communication by stifling the depressive symptoms through drugs. But this then robs them of the responsibility they have to themselves to start putting things right.The approach here is two-fold. Depressive symptoms are often caused by poor diet. This can be responsible for a wide variety of medical and emotional problems. We address this by eating Paleo and taking high quality nutritional supplements. Secondly, there's a lot of help available here for people who are trying to change their perspective on things. It might help if you think about any factors in your life that might have helped to trigger the depressive symptoms, what needs aren't being met. After I got my own diet and supplements sorted out I started some cognitive behaviour therapy work, and it's really changing how I think about things.So by coming here and following the advice you are given, there's no need to be afraid. You might like to dip into the files and read the stories there of how some of the people on the list recovered from years of being on multiple drugs. Whenever I feel low or am struggling, I think of them, and remind myself that it could be a lot worse, and that things will get better.You'll be giving yourself a really good start if you follow the tapering guidelines here. Coming off your drug too fast can cause a lot of damage to your body.Welcome to the list then, and best wishes for your healing. Do let us know if you have any questions.