Coming off citalopram, withdrawal symptoms or back where I started?

[Arcadia]

I have tapered down from 20mg to 10mg gradually over the last 3 months and went down to 10mg just over a week ago.

I am having a return of the negative thoughts I had when I went on the medication 18 months ago and am also feeling very anxious.

At the other points of dropping my dose I got the anxiety but not the negative thoughts. Is this likely to be the return of the original problem? I would hate to be back at 'square one' as I am coming off them because I thought it was circumstantial depression, with life being easier now than it was then.

I will go back to my GP but wondered if anyone had any experience of this?

I've just stopped - 3 weeks ago - and one week in was the worst - anxiety, irritability, very tearful. About two weeks after I stopped, this gradually lifted, and now I'm more or less fine. So I'd say you're at the peak of withdrawal right now.

I withdrew very slowly and felt like this and gp started me back on it. About 6 months later I tried again and was fine that time. Perhaps you are not quite ready yet?

Did you go cold turkey manicminor? I couldn't have coped with that! You are right I may be in the worst bit of the withdrawal but I had dropped down to the 10mg very gradually so thought it wouldn't affect me much.

Having said that once I was out and about today I felt better and am okay this evening. I am worst in the mornings and seem to be worse when at home, maybe more distractions when I am out?

hairypaws I may need to do that but would be disappointed if I had to do the whole gradual cut down from 20 to 10 again as it has been really hard work! Also I am enjoying the return of my libido , it seems I can't have it all!

LottieLouLou that sounds tough. I know what you mean about the tiredness, it can be overwhelming at times. How long have you felt like this? Hopefully it will lessen.

I am finding the thing that helps most is a cup of tea. Ridiculous! I don't think tea actually cures depression!

What symptoms are you having Mary?