Lexapro Depression Side Effects

Hi there,

I am a 40 yr old woman, who started taking Lexapro about 3 to 4 weeks ago, starting on 5mg for the first 2 plus weeks, then increased it a few days ago to 10mg as directed by my Dr. My history of depression is this: I feel I have dysthymic disorder with major depression disorder tendencies. I have suffered a few bouts of severe reactive depression as a result of some considerable life stressors in the past, which then, you could say, turned into simple Major Depressive Disorder. At one of these times I took Lexapro with good effect. I think I have been depressed (often mildly) for years, but struggled through. I also have considerable anxiety, which has plagued me for 10 plus years, generally focusing on my health. Before biting the bullet and seeing a Dr this time, I was constantly grumpy, quick tempered, sad, chronically tired, unable to stay asleep, sensitive, self deprecating with a low self-esteem, anxious and felt empty in a weird kind of way. So I decided I owe it to myself and my family to try SSRI's again. I did not, however, have any of these other 'classic' signs of depression - suicide ideation, weight change, appetite change, derealisation, inability to stay still etc. My K10 scales etc would range from moderate to high, but it needs to be remembered how ones score can be worse one day as it's a 'bad' day, no matter all the "in the past week/few weeks' Qs.

Almost immediately I noticed a decrease in my anxiety, which is wonderful. My husband says I am more giggly and brighter. I am certainly able to enjoy motherhood more. On the down side, I have just started to get over the nausea (thank goodness), but am clenching my teeth, with a sore jaw, feel somewhat sped up, and my thoughts are scattered. I DO like feeling brighter, and if this is how 'normal brained people' feel then WOW, but I am now questioning if I did indeed have depression (a pattern of mine is to question myself, I unfortunately, or fortunately have degrees in mental health, which can be a good and a bad thing), and if I didn't then maybe that is why I feel somewhat sped up with disordered, scattered thoughts and a clenched jaw! My questions are this: Do you think I was depressed, and are these normal side effects for a person with clinical depression, or are they the signs of a person without clinical depression who is taking a drug unnecessarily. Do others have these symptoms? How long will these symptoms last? It's a bit of a scary one, as life is better, and a part of me would hate to hear 'come off them' but I feel a bit alone in this new experience of taking control of things, drugs and a mind swimming with questions, so thought I would post my first ever post on anything. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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The tooth grinding, feeling distracted/disordered, and feeling sped up are listed as possible side effects of Lexapro (Escitalopram), but they are not considered common ones.

Ref: Lexapro Information

Typically, side effects tend to last about 4 to 5 weeks, as your body is getting used to a medication, at that point they hit their peak, and should start to taper off in severity, before going away entirely.

However, if yours are severe, you should consult your doctor as you may need to try a different medication.

Unfortunately, I cannot speak as to whether or not you really had depression. It does read like you did from the symptoms you've described, but I am not a doctor.

The bruxism (tooth grinding) can be very concerning, since that can cause dental damage, before you know it. Have you consulted your dentist?

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