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citalopram and suicidal thoughts?

28 replies

oddconference · 15/02/2015 09:36

I've had PND for almost two years now, since my little boy was born. I've been recently diagnosed with anxiety on top of that and prescribed citalopram. Its been nearly two weeks since I started taking it and I can't shake the suicidal thoughts from my head.

Its odd because I don't think I am suicidal, but I keep getting flashes of killing myself and imagining how much better off my little boy would be without me. There doesn't seem to be any particular trigger for them, they just pop into my head multiple times a day, and when it happens it's all I can think about.

I know I need to go back and see my GP, I have an appointment on Wednesday. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this in the earlu stages of taking it and its passed? The warning on the leaflet is for under 25, I'm quite a bit older than that.

OP posts:
HarrysMummy17 · 27/02/2015 23:19

What dose did you start on? My gp started me on 10mg as she said if I had side effects it would be worse with a higher dose. I was increased to 20mg after 2 months as my moods were decreasing slightly (as predicted by gp) but as my body was used to it an increase wasn't too bad and I only had side effects for a few days before feeling better.
I hope your doing ok xx

snowaccidentprone · 28/02/2015 00:07

Very common. Generally feel loads worse before you start to feel better.

Just tell yourself, one day at a time. Get through today, then take tomorrow as it comes. You will begin to feel better in a few days. Try to keep busy, and distract yourself.

I know it feels like checking out of life would be the best option for you right now, but that is just a chemical imbalance in your brain, and not rational.

Your ds would not be better off without you. He would miss you every day, and constantly wonder why you didn't love him enough to stay around and watch him grow up.

That is not the legacy you want to leave.

My xh committed suicide when ds1 was 5. Despite having 3 lots of counselling, he still has no self belief, he always picks friends and gf's who are 'damaged' in some way. As though he can 'fix' them (and in that way redraw the past). He hates been by himself, and would rather be with the wrong person than alone.

I am doing all I can to boost his self esteem, to value himself, and to not always put everyone else before himself. To do what he wants to do, to not be such a pushover.

I don't know for certain, but I suspect these are all the legacy of him feeling 'abandoned' by his df.

And the ripples of my xh's suicide still have an effect over a decade later.

I'm sure it takes a lot to kill yourself, in terms of mental anguish, and the thought processes of getting to that place. I have been there myself, but thank god, not quite rock bottom enough to end it. Having been through the bombshell of my ex, I just couldn't do that to anyone else. No matter how bad I have felt.

You are on the path to recovery, but it won't be easy at first. The first few days are the hardest.

And in a few years you will be able to look back and feel a sense of pride that you managed to hang in there, and have been around to watch your son grow.

oddconference · 08/03/2015 20:32

I'm trying to get through one day at a time at the moment. My friend watched something and texted me a line about being able to cope with anything for ten seconds, then you just start on a new ten seconds and I'm repeating it to myself when things get tough.

I'm just about managing to cope with DS and trying not to feel guilty about taking help I'm offered. I know that if I left him that would be the worst thing I could do to him.

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