Came off citalopram three weeks ago - afraid Im turning until a monster again

[cheekychock39]

Hi Ladies,

I starting taking citalopram three years ago after suffering severe depression for 18 months. I decided just before christmas to come off them and so far I feel ok. I feel positive and have had no serious side effects. However I do find myself shouting at the children more. Is it because the citalopram numbs your emotions or am I turning into a monster again? I know that over the past three years I have been very calm about situations and behaviour that would turn some mums hair grey but I dont want to come off the pills if suddenly the children are going to suffer. I would never ever physically hurt them but I worry that as my eldest son is 7 he may be hurt mentally by me shouting etc. My mum was on valium when I was that age and even at 39 I can remember her being absolutely awful to us. I dont want my sons to feel that way. Even thinking that they think I might not love them makes me want to cry.

Some help and advice would be appreciated.

Jo

Hi Cheekychock39, this is something I know a fair bit about, did you stop taking them cold turkey? or come off them more gradually? cold turkey is a really bad idea as you will get really bad withdrawals. The best way to come off an antidepressant is to taper off gradually, liquid if possible, and the alternate day thing that doctors tell you to do, really doesn't work for many people either. The withdrawals from coming off too fast can mimic the original depression/anxiety which can make it really confusing, if you come off slow enough you hopefully won't get the withdrawals. A/D's do numb your emotions.