I'm struggling

[PhoebeJeebies]

So I am three weeks into taking 20mg of Citalopram.

I am still struggling to do ANYTHING. Even lying in bed is hard work. Sitting on the sofa is hard work.

I manage to go to work but that's it.

I have had mental health issues before but never this bad.

I just can't function.

I have a review with the GP in two weeks.

I guess my question is 'do I need to give the medication more time?'

You sound very poorly and three weeks is not long enough. By the time of your review there might be a clearer view of whether it is having any impact or needs adjusting.

Are you managing to do distraction activities or anything like that?

I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate at the moment. I can't seem to distract myself.

I can't eat and have lost a stone in a month. So I am also having blood tests.

What is the cause(s) of your mental health issues?

Two weeks would often not be anywhere enough time to see a measurable difference taking citalopram.

I guess work is a big stress. Just general stress I guess.

I have been on Citalopram for three weeks now. So will be on it for five weeks at the review.

Can it take that long to see any improvement?

5 weeks to a few months is when it can start to take effect. The 5 weeks is a standard marker

It takes effect immediately for me, but I don't respond to ADs well, probably due to my hypothyroidism.

I take it work is non-negotiable and/or it doesn't matter what the work is, you would still find it stressful? Life stress is also difficult?

Has the doctor done other health/vitamin level tests? Have you been referred to any sort of therapy? If not I would press for therapy and an iron panel and B12.

My heart goes out to you. Massive hugs 🤗 💐

Thanks Dyson.
I am doing CBT online and take iron tablets. I will get some B12 tablets.
I just can't believe this is happening. I find memories when I was happy so strange.
It also came on so suddenly. Is that common?

If you're struggling to eat, try just little and often - better to eat a little snack every hour than nothing at all because normal meals are too difficult.

How long have you been struggling with work stress?

If you've been under pressure for a long time, it wouldn't be unheard of to reach breaking point and rapidly decompensate.

If concentration is a battle, you can also try activities in 5 or 10 minute chunks.

Five minutes of TV.

Five minutes colouring.

Five minutes eating a biscuit.

Five minutes drinking a cup of tea.

Five minutes TV.

Yes, there has been a long period of stress. So I could have reached breaking point.

I just want to get better.

Thanks for listening to me.

I completely understand. I am in the middle of a work related breakdown. Remember there are kind people who care.

Eating is absolutely essential, try and have something like porridge, eggs, as they are stable on the blood sugar, maybe some chicken or fish, even get a favourite treat food if you feel like it. Don't forget too it's the middle of winter and SAD is bad this year as we didn't have much sun. Keep posting if it helps x

The Samaritans are there too 116123.

I made such a long post and then my Mobile switched off. I'll post again later

One way to look at it then is that it took time for you to become poorly and therefore it will take a bit of time to get well again - but you will get well again.

Some people find it helpful to keep an "achievements" diary when things are really tough. Nothing complicated, just to note down at the end of the day even one thing you did that was difficult but you achieved anyway.

That might be getting out of bed, posting on Mumsnet, eating a snack, watching five minutes of your favourite film...

Give yourself credit for what you are doing. Sometimes seeing it written down each day and adding up over the week can help to reinforce it.

It's easy to dismiss the things you are managing to do when everything feels overwhelming. Writing it down can stop the little victories from slipping away out of sight.

So sorry to hear how you’re struggling right now. I think personally more time is needed. You mention work, is there any negotiation there? Is it just this job for whatever reason or working itself? Are you able to take a few weeks plus off perhaps?
Also yes, do give yourself credit you’re doing your best right now.

I'm taking two weeks off at Christmas and staying at home, having a low key Christmas Day. I'm hoping that will help.

I have had the sort of anxiety you describe struggling to function. I had a breakdown five years ago. How is your sleep? The more high quality sleep you can get the better you will feel.
Anything you can do that relaxes you or take your mind of things.Do that.
Trouble is drs can’t really prescribed sedatives so anti depressants are given but sometimes these can be stimulating I think. Give it a bit longer but if not working go back to your GP.
Have a look at EFT and secrets of the Vagus nerve. Thinking of you.

Have you tried Kalms/valerian root? I have had times of really high work-related anxiety where I was really not very well, and I was surprised how much they really helped me to function. It's not a long-term fix but they've got me through a few weeks I'd rather forget.

Please don't take over the counter supplements when you're already on prescribed medication. They can interact.