Starting Celexa tomorrow - what should I expect?

Well I'm finally giving in and starting the Celexa my psychiatrist prescribed for me over four months ago yet I never took (and never told him either). I've only taken the Xanax he prescribed because I've taken that on and off over the years and it really helps me to "calm down." With Celexa I'm always afraid it will make me more nervous because it's an antidepressant and I think of those as giving you a "jolt" to bring you out of your depression...and I'm deathly afraid of feeling more nervous than I already am. But I have come to the conclusion that as much as anxiety seems to be my overwhelming complaint, I definitely suffer from depression too....crying at the drop of a hat over just about anything, sad or funny, tells me it has to be so. Many years ago the psychiatrist I was seeing diagnosed me with "anxious depression" where my depression manifests itself in anxiety feelings. Maybe this is common and you people out there are familiar with this term but I'm just starting to believe that it's really true. So I guess I'm looking for anyone with experience to tell me how they did with Celexa, what kind of side effects to expect (being a hypochondriac, I can easily conjure up my own side effects even if there not there so a head's up might be a good idea for me.). Does it really take weeks to take effect? Any input you can give would be greatly appreciated. And does anyone think there's a better drug out there? My daughter-in-law was prescribed Prestique for her post-partum depression and it's helped her immensely yet she didn't have any side effects. I love this site - I always calm down (at least while I'm venting).

Hi there. In the UK Celexa is called Citalapram and I have been on it a few times for anxiety. For me, it is fantastic. I start to feel better after about 9 days and after a few weeks my anxiety totally disappears. Don't worry at all about being on an anti-depressant, they are not addictive and if you find one that suits you it can change your life. The only side effect I had was feeling a little more tired but I could put up with that if I had no anxiety.

Let us know how you get on!

Poppy