Depression and anxiety.. shouting in head!

[bonjour16]

Hope someone can help or reassure. I'm currently suffering from depression and anxiety and recently started hearing angry shouting in my head. I am currently on citalopram. Has anyone experienced something similiar? And was this linked to your depression? Desperately seeking help. Thank you in advance.

Hi OP,

Didn't want to read and run . I'm on citalopram 30mg for the same reasons as you .
I've not had this ......how long have you been taking them?

Couple of weeks. Has citalopram been helpful for you? x

About 6 weeks. Are you feeling better on the meds.

Thank you for all replies.

Hi, yes I get this, although I'm not on citalopram. I usually comes on when I'm very stressed or anxious, so I've always taken it was a reaction to that. No doctor or therapist has ever seemed particularly troubled when I've mentioned it, since I'm well aware it's just my own brain doing tricks. Does it make you feel scared or generally bad? I've personally found my own reaction to it is what matters the most, and it quietens quicker if I try to ignore it and do other things. Also background noise, or listening to music or a podcast or something is a good distraction.

Since you're fairly new to this medication, and it's started with it, might well be a weird side effect. I'd mention it to your GP (or other relevant professional). If it's a side effect it might settle down as you get used to the meds, or if not, you could try swapping meds at some point to see if that helps.

Yes has helped me . Everything feels more manageable although kills your sex drive.

I remember when I first started them I had very weird and vivid dreams . Still do occasionally but nothing major .

Hope you're feeling better soon x

@GoneWishing thank you very much for your reply. It really scares me. I'm petrified and I guess this fuels more anxiety. May I ask what meds you take and did it help with this. I hope it doesn't last long and goes when my depression and anxiety eases x

I'm currently taking mirtazapine, which has been great for my depression, but no it hasn't removed this. I also have a "just in case" medication (in my case promazine) in case anxiety and distress get very bad - luckily I don't need that much these days. It doesn't really cure anything, either, but really calms me down (well, puts me to sleep) in the moment, so I can get past a bad moment like that.

Mine is something I've kind of always had, rather than anything brought on suddenly or linked to starting a medication, so I wouldn't worry that yours will last as long as mine has. Mine most likely stems from a very abusive past. I think what's helped me most has been therapy, personally, but ultimately I don't try to attach any deep meaning to why it's happening or what it means for me these days. It's just brain noise - there's no one angry actually shouting at me, I'm safe, and I don't have to pay attention to it (well, sometimes it can't be helped). Grounding techniques and distraction have been very helpful.

@GoneWishing Thank you for your advice. And I'm sorry to hear of your abusive past. I hope you have managed to move on from it and glad therapy has been beneficial. I should maybe look into this x

I'm in a much better place these days, thank you. It was all a long time ago. Therapy is good for the depression and anxiety, too, so I do recommend.

In the meantime do tell your doctor about this new symptom, as they'll have a better idea if the meds can be causing it, and if it maybe means these aren't the right meds for you. And when the voice happens, keep telling yourself it's not real and that it can't hurt you, and do whatever you can to feel as safe as you can in the moment, be it putting on a stupid comedy while hiding under a blanket with a cuppa, or whatever works for you. I hope you won't have to deal with this long.

Anxiety is an absolute bitch for putting weird shit in our heads. Problem is, when we dwell on it and try to analyse it, it almost feeds it until it tips over into an intrusive repetitive thought pattern.

Around 6 years ago, off the back of 1 single random thought, I ended up with severe debilitating anxiety with awful intrusive thoughts. It was non stop and I honestly wanted to die it got that distressing. But honestly, with time you can stop this.

I started taking valerian root (I was too scared to take the citalopram I had been prescribed as I was only 20 at the time) and each and every time this thought came, I used to mentally do a long shhhhhhhhhhhh and think of something else. At the beginning, the thought would immediately start up again after I'd used my technique, but with practice of shhh-ing and distracting, the thought slowly started having less impact and hold on me, until eventually, I'd almost roll my eyes with the stupidness of it!

Don't let yourself 'listen' or give the shouting attention. It's something that has randomly occurred in your brain, it means nothing, it's freaked you out and now you're perpetuating it by analysing and questioning it. Try to let it wash over you, you are not going mad. You won't be like this forever, you just need to be on it with stopping the thought in its tracks.

Sorry, to add - I don't think it is caused by your citalopram no, more a symptom of the anxiety itself. Within a few weeks though I'd imagine, you'll be well equipped to deal with it as the medication starts to lift you. I do take citalopram now for anxiety (manifesting as anger and irritability) and it has allowed me logical thinking space and calmness

Yes I had this, I had to change my meds and start Venlafaxine and a low dose of Olanzapine for 6 months. Please phone your GP straight away. Don't try to treat this yourself with OTC meds.

@GoneWishing @OpheliaBalthasar thanks a lot for your reply and advice. I'm really stressed at the moment so hopefully the angry shouting will calm down when I destress and get my anxiety under control.

My DH had this when he took fluxotine, his GP immediately changed his meds and it went away.
Contact your GP urgently op

@Thelnebriati thank you. My doc has prescribed low dose olanzipine too. May I ask how long it took for you to feel better? Do you think your previous meds were the cause or simply werent working enough for your depression? x

Please see your gp. I hope you feel better soon

@AgathaVanHelsing thanks for your reply. May I ask what meds he changed to? X

My case was different from yours; I had a series of breakdowns over several years, as a result of PTSD. I was hospitalised each time.
I wasn't taking any meds when I had each crisis; as each time they have tried different meds and I hated the side effects, so stopped taking them as soon as I could.

The last time was different. I felt better after 6 weeks on Olanzapine. I only needed it for 6 months. I also feel that the Venlafaxine was the right AD for me, and I took that for years.
My GP then asked if I'd like to reduce the dose and eventually withdraw, and I've been off it for about 4 years with no relapse. If I do have another crisis they now know which meds to give me straight away, and I feel more confident about being able to manage.

Getting the right meds at the right dose is a total game changer. I hope you have a sympathetic GP as that makes all the difference.

@Thelnebriati thank you. I'm currently seeing a psychiatrist and been prescribed 5mg olanzipine along with citalopram. I hope this settles but understand it can take time (weeks/months). May I ask what dosage you were on and if you experienced any side effects? x

I am connected to mental health services and you need medical attention. This could be a reaction to the citalopram it can take up to four weeks to see any side reactions. I think you need to see a doctor (preferably your psychiatrist) ASAP.

The dose I received was lower but I was on a high dose of a stronger AD along with other meds, and in a psychiatric hospital.
I still think you need to talk to your GP asap. Its either a symptom or a side effect and they must know.

@Thelnebriati @Tomselleckhaskindeyes Thank you for your advice. I am currently seeing a consultant psychiatrist and since I have been on citalopram on and off since 2006 he thinks this is unlikely to be the cause but rather my severe depression. I was just hoping to hear other experiences for reassurance. Thanks again.

I had never experienced problems like this with citalopram on and off since 2006 so I hope it is not a new side effect that has strangely appeared. Welcome your thoughts.

It probably is more likely severe depression. What dose are you on for citalopram?