I can feelt hose old feelings returning, how can i stop it now?

[anonandlikeit]

A couple of yrs back i suffered a period of severe anxiety & was off work & ill for several months.
I went on to citalopram for a yr & it def helped.

Over the last few weeks i've felt increasingly anxious, over the last couple of days have been very tearful etc.

I suppose its good that i am recognising all the signs earlier this time but how can i stop it before it gets worse, how can I relax & feel better without going back on the meds??

All ideas greatly received. Thanks

Firstly - i could have wrote that post, I have recently become very panicky and tearful, panicking over the flu epidemic, i too was on Citalopram, and they helped me. I came off them as i felt better, but now i realise that it was a bad decision and am back at the docs on thursday to go back on them - if they work why not!!!

Good Luck, life is too short to just get by, I realise that I cannot cope with my irrational fears of panic and it does my family no good whatsoever to see me this way.

Take care of yourself X

Why not have a chat with your GP and explain how you're feeling. You don't necessarily have to go back on medication BUT if you do, don't feel like you're taking a step backwards. You won't be. As you say you're recognising the signs and doing something positive. You've already come so far and achieved lots. Well done. x

I am permanently on citalopram as I have clinic depression. I normally tick over not bad, neither happy nor sad, but since Christmas have plunged into the depths, although I am steadily improving again. My daughters pointed out that exactly the same thing happened last Christmas/New Year and the year before too. I expect it is the mid-winter blues or SAD and I will continue to feel better as Spring approaches.

I would second SammEC on the benefits of Citalopram, not only for yourselves but also for your family, friends and work colleagues. My doctor persuaded me by pointing out that if I had diabetes (also caused by a chemical inbalance in the body) then I would be glad to take a pill that helped for the rest of my life. Depression is not a sign of weakness or inability to cope - there are no prizes for battling through without resorting to medication.

Unfortunately it has hard to think straight when you are afraid and anxious about everything and attempts to formulate a plan or make a decision just seem to throw up more difficulties and problems. I find that I need an outsider - DDs, Dsister, BF - to tell me to get back to the doctor as when I am at my worst I try, and fail, to pull my self up, all by myself, which cannot work. It is like a quagmire - the more you struggle the deeper you sink in. You need a helping hand (which is what citalopram is) to get out of the depths.

That should be clinical depression obviously. Our clinic is actually qite a cheery place.

thank you all so much for your kind words.

I definately don't want to be back where i was a couple of yrs ago so i guess taking action now is the sensible thing to do.

I feel like a bit of a failure i guess as there is no reason for me to feel this way. I have a loving family, a job I enjoy with a great boss..... I did have an emotional few months before xmas (just the sort of stuff all families have to deal with) nothing too major and everything is settled again now.

Alos i think i amscared too, when i took citalopram last time i remember feeling worse before i felt better. Not sure if that was the side effects or because i left it too long before taking them - or maybe a bit of both?

SammE I hope you get on OK on Thursday, i spose I'll be making myself an appnt tomorow!

You are by no means a failure, you are doing the right thing by accepting you have a problem and need help, depression and anxiety is an illness and needs treatment, get that appointment booked!

My mood has already lifted slightly just because i know i am going to get help now!

take care! XXX

I've ade an appnt too and actually feel a little better already.
Thanks Again x