[HidingMe]

I got this RX about a week ago but finally decided to take my 1st dose today. I hear mixed things about anti-anxiety meds... don't really know if it's so smart that I start taking them. Part of me feels like I should try harder to cope on my own, but when anxiety/depression hits then I feel pretty uncapable of doing anything but worry and obsess, primarily over new my relationship. We are great when we are together but I obsess when we are not, and logically I can say to myself that I am obsessing for no reason, but given enough time I think up reasons, so logical thinking does nothing for me.

Uggh.. I'm so sick of worrying and thinking and analyzing. Does he still like me? Does he think I am boring now that he's gotten to know me better? Does he miss me when he's not around me? What if he decides he doesn't want to be with me anymore? Like I could do anything about it if he actually did feel these things. If he doesn't want to be with me then I need to be able to move on, not wither away and die, and sometimes that is what I feel like doing. Today is one of those days. I just want to be happy... I don't want to pick my son up from school and have to fake feeling normal.. put on a fake happy face for him when I really feel like crap inside. I don't want to keep wondering what my purpose is in life, and thinking that I have none. Yes I have my son.. I know that he is my purpose, but I feel like I am failing at everything. Right now I couldn't imagine coping with anything more.

At this point I just don't know if I should be introducing meds or not. Don't know if Celexa is used for depression as well, cause I think I have more than just anxiety. Don't know much about this med other than my doc thinking it would be good for me due to fewer side effect than many other commonly used meds. Thoughts?

[blind_otter]

Celexa is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is primarily used to treat depression.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/citalo_ids.htm

Many times low-level anxiety is actually caused by an underlying depressive state, thus many doctors find it effective to use an antidepressant like celexa when the anxiety is not crippling.

I think the anti-anxiety meds you are thinking of are benzodiazepines like xanax, valium, and ativan. Those are very different, can be highly addictive, and people do use benzodiazepines recreationally to get high.

[EnigmasMuse]

I'm leary about ALL depression/anxiety meds, but thats just me. Doesn't mean there aren't some really good ones out there that really help people.

My friend has a son who is 19 and was on one of those meds not sure which one, but he had to be taken off of it, he was experiencing hallucinations.

[D-Lish]

As someone with an anxiety disorder- I can tell you that meds have helped me. My anxiety actually effects me physically- that sick, always on edge feeling that sometimes stops me from being able to sleep or eat.

My tummy is in knots 24 hours a day when I am not taking anything for it. I actually started taking clonozepam a year ago- and my life is better. My pulse doesn't race all the time and I can actually rest and function without constant worry.

Celexa is a combination med that helps depression and anxiety- which usually exist in tandom.

It usually takes a good six weeks to get the effects of the meds- you'll notice a gradual change in mood that leads to more and more stability as it takes effect. Whether or not this is the best med for you depends on your reaction or non reaction. Meds don't work universally the same for all people- so it might take some tweaking to get the right match for your body.

I think it's great you sought help. That's a big step.
Don't give up on the meds if you don't get results asap. It takes time.

I tried a few before I got a good match for me. I feel at peace with my anxiety now. I'm really happy I got help.

No one needs to live their life worrying constantly--- it's the worst feeling in the world!

[TCatherine]

I was on that.. i was on another before that one (cant remember the name, sorry) that caused weight gain.. 20 lbs. so i switched. I eventually weaned myself off the Celexa, but Celexa was better because it only concentrates on one part of your hormones, not two. (to make it simple).

I did eventually wean myself off it as well. I have struggled with anxiety and self-esteem all my life.. not sleeping, etc. Now, I have given up caffeine, and I (try) to exercise 3x a week, for 1/2 hour. I did lose the weight I gained, but I gotta tell you.. the exercise and dropping caffeine was/is a chore, but the results are waaaay better, better even than the drug.

My final opinion is that you should not feel bad about taking it. I really benefitted from the ones I took when I needed them, but did not not want to be on them forever, nor to keep the weight, so I found a more natural alternative.. when I was ready!

I hope that helps.. and good luck to you! Keep reading positive, motivational stuff, too!!