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Original poster

Escitalopram

30 replies

Onemorestepaling · 22/01/2026 14:23

I’ve been prescribed escitalopram for anxiety ocd, overthinking, etc.
My question is - will it actually help with these issues? I know there’s a few weeks wait before any benefits but will it really calm
these issues down?
I’ve tried counselling, cbt, hypnotherapy already - none of it works.

OP posts:
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Lizzbear · 09/02/2026 12:16

Does anyone on here keep asking for reassurance as part of their overthinking? I keep asking my young adult son for reassurance and it’s really worrying me. Would the escitalopram possibly help with this type of behaviour?

Lizzbear · 08/02/2026 16:32

Onemorestepaling · 08/02/2026 16:26

How’s everyone getting on? Be now been taking 5mg for a week. All still ok apart from my slight dry mouth

Has it calmed your overthinking op?

Lizzbear · 08/02/2026 16:31

Glad you’re doing ok in the 5mg. I’ve been awful for the last 4 weeks. BUT, I think it’s because I’ve messed around with meds. Coming off Sertraline. Then taking nothing but lions mane for a month. Then restarting the escitalopram. Feeling a bit calmer today. I just think it’ll take while to work for me now
Going to give it a few more weeks and I’ll report back here soon x

Original poster
Onemorestepaling · 08/02/2026 16:26

How’s everyone getting on? Be now been taking 5mg for a week. All still ok apart from my slight dry mouth

OP posts:
Blanketenvy · 31/01/2026 14:58

Lizzbear · 31/01/2026 14:27

Hi Blanktenvy
Do you find 20g more effective than 10?

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Yeah I went v quickly from 10 to 20 as wasn't coping and it definitely has helped a bit more.

Lizzbear · 31/01/2026 14:27

Blanketenvy · 31/01/2026 13:36

It definitely can help. I'm on 20mg and although I'm still very anxious and overwhelmed at times it's stepped things down for me from being in crisis. It can take a bit of time though.

Hi Blanktenvy
Do you find 20g more effective than 10?

Blanketenvy · 31/01/2026 13:36

It definitely can help. I'm on 20mg and although I'm still very anxious and overwhelmed at times it's stepped things down for me from being in crisis. It can take a bit of time though.

Original poster
Onemorestepaling · 31/01/2026 13:31

thsnks for all the responses! I’ve moved up to 5mg today..

OP posts:
Lizzbear · 31/01/2026 10:27

Livpool · 27/01/2026 17:19

Yes I do - it had always been under control until I had my son then I spiralled completely. It has worked more than I dreamed - considering how I felt post natal

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That’s good to hear it’s working so well for your ocd. Still feeling anxious but eating again and only on day 10 of taking it.

Livpool · 27/01/2026 17:19

Onemorestepaling · 23/01/2026 16:32

Thanks so much for all the comment so far. It’s great it’s helped some of you, It sounds like it’s good for anxiety. Do any of you use it for ocd too?

Yes I do - it had always been under control until I had my son then I spiralled completely. It has worked more than I dreamed - considering how I felt post natal

Whatagooddog · 27/01/2026 12:57

Has anyone taken it for debilitating health anxiety?

I really hope it works for you OP!

RealCoralRobin · 27/01/2026 12:52

I’ve been taking Escitalopram for a few years now.Went from 10 to 20 mg last year as I started to feel worse again.Ive tried over the new year to stop taking them and succeeded but all my over thinking anxiety tearfulness has come back so Ive given in and taken the first dose today

Lizzbear · 26/01/2026 22:27

Onemorestepaling · 26/01/2026 22:22

@Lizzbear sorry to hear that - hopefully better soon 🤞 I’m on day 3 but only 1/4 of a tablet at the moment…

Thanks. Good idea to start on a low dose! I’m hoping this will become less of a problem in time. I’ll keep you posted

Original poster
Onemorestepaling · 26/01/2026 22:22

@Lizzbear sorry to hear that - hopefully better soon 🤞 I’m on day 3 but only 1/4 of a tablet at the moment…

OP posts:
Lizzbear · 26/01/2026 21:04

I’m on day 5 now. Have never felt so sleepy. It’s a bit of a rocky ride but feel a bit less anxious in the evening. How’s everyone else getting on with it?

Lizzbear · 23/01/2026 23:13

Onemorestepaling · 23/01/2026 23:10

@Lizzbear i hope it works for you. Let’s all keep each other updated on here 😊

Thank you. Yes, I will keep you all updated. Feeling sleepy on it. That’s normal for me though, on medication.

Original poster
Onemorestepaling · 23/01/2026 23:10

@Lizzbear i hope it works for you. Let’s all keep each other updated on here 😊

OP posts:
McZeba · 23/01/2026 18:10

I found it made me very tired when I upped the dose to 20, so I took it at bedtime but I can take it in the mornings now as that side effect has settled x I hope it helps you as much as it has me x

Lizzbear · 23/01/2026 16:36

I’m hoping it works for intrusive thoughts and overthinking, which have made me depressed. It’s like if I start thinking about something painful, I can’t let it go.
Here’s hoping it works. Any others who’ve found it works with intrusive thoughts?

Original poster
Onemorestepaling · 23/01/2026 16:32

Thanks so much for all the comment so far. It’s great it’s helped some of you, It sounds like it’s good for anxiety. Do any of you use it for ocd too?

OP posts:
Original poster
Onemorestepaling · 23/01/2026 14:16

@Livpool thanks - that’s very reassuring!

OP posts:
McZeba · 23/01/2026 13:04

I am prescribed this for depression, anxiety and PTSD - it is the best medication that I have ever taken for these condition's. I have a 20+ year history with these conditions . I was stable on 10mg for a year but then started to have severe anxiety creeping back in, so went up to 20mg and have now been relatively stable for over a year.

ForFunGoose · 23/01/2026 13:00

I took it and found it good, was on 10mg.
My GP weaned me off after a year as he thought a lot of my symptoms were peri menopause and I started HRT.

I actually think I need both but haven’t the fight in me. Good luck OP

CarminaBiryani · 23/01/2026 12:57

Yes I thought it was getting worse at first, felt like I was overthinking, but it's more that things come into focus.

After 2-3 weeks, it really helped - when I'm out and about doing things or interacting with people, I'm just not getting so exhausted or triggered by them.

I do find that I'm a bit more tired and less motivated (only on 10mg) but found taking it at night helped. Also, I can easily give myself a little talking to and chivvy myself along, whereas that would feel overwhelming before. Mood is just a bit better, I don't wake up feeling full of doom and dread.

I think alongside putting systems in place and self care and exercise and diet and possibly talking therapy for any specific issues or journalling it's even more effective.

Livpool · 23/01/2026 11:39

Onemorestepaling · 23/01/2026 06:09

@Livpool that’s very good news! Did you take it for the same reasons as me? How long until you felt better?

I did - anxiety and OCD along with intrusive thoughts. It took a few weeks but the ‘noise’ has completely quieted down