Negative Experience With Citalopram?

I was on citalopram for nearly a year. They seemed to be working just fine for a while and then I noticed a gradual yet shocking change in my thinking and feeling. I had severe mood swings that could last for hours, days or weeks. I though more and more about killing myself and that no one around me understood. It caused havoc on my relationships, romantic and otherwise. I couldn't see how hard people were trying to help me. I was completely in my own world, going out and abusing alcohol and waking up the next day in someone's bed who I though would give me the world. The next week if grow tired of them and move on to the next. It finally got to the point where I felt utterly alone and I tried to take my life. Luckily I failed, but this forced me to really look at myself and what was happening and I was able to be 100% honest with my doctor who told me it sounded like citalopram was not agreeing with me at all. He prescribed Escitalopram (antidepressant) and Quetiapine (atypical antipsychotic, for the mood swings). I've been on these for about 6 months now and I'm so much more stable. I feel able to get my life back in order. More recently I was diagnosed with BPD and I'm attending psychotherapy. But I'm so happy I came off of citalopram. I urge anyone else who is experiencing anything that sounds similar to what I went through to get off citalopram ASAP. Your doctor will help you get the help/medications that will work for you. None of us are the same.

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You are exactly right, we are all different, so what works for one person doesn't always work so well for someone else.

There is a risk of these medications causing depression and suicidal thoughts, in some people that take them. The U.S. FDA requires such information to be included with the medication warnings to try to ensure that people are aware of such possibilities, when they start taking an antidepressant.

I am so very glad that you found the right medications to help you. Have you experienced any of their side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, mood swings or weight changes?

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