Citalopram, health anxiety will this get better

[KateKha]

Hello, I know this has been posted many times but I’m in need of a bit of a boost (positive stories only please). I count myself lucky to have never had anxiety and depression in 37 years but when our son was born in lock down I had some health issues that ended me up in hospital and since then have had severe health anxiety, GAD and a dabble with depression and burnout since returning to work. I’ve managed the last 3 years without taking any meds just exercise, sleep and connecting with people and have been able to function. Christams was particularly stressful the lead up and then my son and I got unwell and this triggered my anxiety hugely and I started to not be able to eat, sleep or function properly. I begrudgingly took the 10mg of citalopram the Gp gave me. I’m day 9 today and whilst I feel a bit calmer, I’m exhausted and feel like there’s no joy in life at the moment everything seems dull and I. Any motivate myself to do anything . Is this normal? I feel nauseous and no appetite which I believe to be the usual side effects I guess I’m just scared of not feeling any joy. How long will this last?

I would contact your gp to talk about how you’re feeling. I was told I would have a low mood but would see sone difference within the first 3 weeks of taking it.
Please don’t feel bad about taking medication, if it helps you to feel better and feel more like yourself then that’s all that matters! Also sometimes you might have to change medication to one that suits you better.
I have GAD, I’ve managed to wean off of medication but I panic and worry about being unwell or when my dd is unwell. I completed cbt and regularly go back to the online classes when I feel my anxiety flaring.
I like to go for walks and write my thoughts down to try get them out of my head and I do believe this has helped me wean off of medication.

Take time, don’t put pressure on yourself and rest.

Thank you so much for the reply. I tried sertraline last year for 6 weeks and I was experiencing panic every day and never settled. I’m 10 days on citalopram this time without the panic but feeling a bit nothing and wondered if this is normal. What experience did you have with an ssri? I’m so pleased to hear you’ve done so well and Come off them and it sounds like you are doing well to implement the CBT.