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Diagnosed With Generalised Anxiety Disorder With Panic Attacks. Taking Citalopram. How Long To Continue?
Hello, really hope you can help, I have been taking 20mg of Citalopram for 16 days now and although I m slightly better, I was wondering how long it would be until I feel much better? I have been diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder with panic attacks. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Sam
Sat, 30 Mar 2013
Hello
Welcome to HCM
Citalopram is a nice drug for generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. It is a SSRI drug and acts to increase serotonin in brain. The drug usually take about 4 weeks to exert its full effect. Most of the psychiatrist prefer to prescribed this drug for at least 12-16 weeks in cases of Generalized anxiety disorder and Panic attacks. But discontinue the drug only after advise of your Psychiatrist. Don't discontinue abruptly as there is risk of SSRI withdrawal syndrome.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi
Welcome to HCM
Citalopram is a nice drug for generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. It is a SSRI drug and acts to increase serotonin in brain. The drug usually take about 4 weeks to exert its full effect. Most of the psychiatrist prefer to prescribed this drug for at least 12-16 weeks in cases of Generalized anxiety disorder and Panic attacks. But discontinue the drug only after advise of your Psychiatrist. Don't discontinue abruptly as there is risk of SSRI withdrawal syndrome.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi
I find this answer helpful
Hello........
Thanks for your query. Citalopram is a SSRI antidpressant and anxiolytic drug that can be prescribed safely in generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The drug will start to work around 6-8 weeks after starting medication and needs to be continued for 6-12 months atleast.
You can consider adding cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a psychotherapy/ talk therapy modality to your treatment after discussing with your psychiatrist that would produce better response than only medication. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. Citalopram is a SSRI antidpressant and anxiolytic drug that can be prescribed safely in generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The drug will start to work around 6-8 weeks after starting medication and needs to be continued for 6-12 months atleast.
You can consider adding cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a psychotherapy/ talk therapy modality to your treatment after discussing with your psychiatrist that would produce better response than only medication. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
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