Brain Zaps

[WhatTheHellIsHappeningHere]

Anyone had these when they were NOT withdrawing from or changing antidepressants?

I've been having them the last 2 or 3 days, worse in the evening, and my mood has plummeted very very low.
I'm tired and miserable and not really functioning.

What might be happening?

Wondering if I should start on a new packet of pills in case there's something wrong with the current ones (Citalopram 40mg)

Yes, in perimenopause, mostly when tired and in bed but not yet asleep.

Thank you @WorldLeaderPretend
That rings a bell for me...that I might have had them right before sleep some time.

I usually only have them if I'm lowering a dose or changing to a new AD, and it's been a long time since either of those.

Haven't had one for a while actually, used to get them a lot, but periods very erratic and sparse these days!

Haha well that's not a problem for me either as I haven't had a period for a few months.

Was just reading that brain zaps can sometimes be linked to chronic stress. I have been in a stressful situation for a few weeks now.

I'm getting them. About to start a new job in three weeks and I'm putting it down to that.

It's almost like when I'm stressed I need more antidepressants. I don't take more but my logic (isn't medically correct) is that my body burns through them faster.

Thanks @Prisonpocket, I was wondering about that, whether my body isn't metabolising them properly or something.
Sorry that you're having this too.
As the evening has gone on I've felt more and more rubbish.

Bumping this again for daytime!

Bumping once more...it's particularly bad tonight

Anyone had these when they were NOT withdrawing from or changing antidepressants?

YES! I’ve been getting them for last few months, maybe as long as 6 months but never thought to mention it to any doctors so didn’t know it had a name. I wasn’t worried about them because I’m not sleeping very well, and mostly get them when extremely tired and about to doze off. Just seemed a bit like Myoclonic jerks (which I know about from a House episode).

I’ve never even heard of brain zaps - until I saw this and googled. Been reading up on them this morning.

Almost definitely due to stress, as I’ve had severe depression recently and some chronic panic attacks/ almost permanently stressed at the moment. I’m not on (or withdrawing from) and in fact I’m about to START medication to help calm me and get some sleep.
HTH

Oh, and I’m also menopausal (but have been erratic taking/ forgetting my HRT recently)

Thank you @StrangerOnline, that is really useful to hear.

I am very stressed at the moment so that's interesting that it was a factor for you.

While I was writing this my GP called for a phone appointment. She suggested taking my AD earlier in the evening as I currently take it before bed along with my HRT, and maybe they are preventing each other from being absorbed properly.
It's easy enough to do so I will do that from tonight.