Hi,
This is my intro: some of you may know me from the Panic and Arthritis boards, although I must admit I'm not a regular poster. I do read frequently though.
I'm here because over the past week I have been feeling very low and very flat. I'm currently on 20mg citalopram (brand name: Celexa) for depression and panic disorder. It had kicked in really well - I was sleeping again and feeling much more content. I was able to go out much more easily and my panic attacks had lessened. This last week has felt like things are going backwards: I'm having nightmares and recurring dreams again; I'm waking up many times throughout the night and it is difficult to fall back to sleep; I feel jittery and restless and my levels of irritability have gone up. I'm in a counselling program and I see my therapist weekly. As I've just returned to university I have a new therapist here but over the last three weeks have found someone who I feel comfortable with. My GP here and at home is very good and both know my full psychiatric history.
A little history: My depression was diagnosed when I was 14 as clinical depression with psychotic features. I was put on anti-depressants and spent nearly 2 years in CBT. I had my next major episode when I was 16, and another at 18. I had counselling for both of these. I am now 21 and, apart from a short episode just after I was diagnosed with RA, had been well for 2 years, perhaps the best I have ever been. My anxiety was treated as part of the depression and wasn't diagnosed on its own until this year. Thankfully I haven't had a full psychotic episode since I was 15.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this: I think I was looking for somewhere to admit how I'm feeling. I'm not good at things like that.
If you have any advice, or tips on how to fall and stay asleep (!), it would be most welcome.
Thank you.