Posted by Cam W. on March 4, 2002, at 22:59:21
In reply to PLEASE -does celexa increase anxiety???, posted by owen30us on March 4, 2002, at 11:36:59
Owen30us - Yes, increased anxiety is one of the start-up side effects with all of the SSRIs, including Celexa™ (citalopram). This does decrease and go away within the first 4 to 8 weeks of starting the drug.
The reason for the increase in anxiety is due to the stimulation of certain postsynaptic serotonin receptors &/or serotonin receptors on the srotonergic cell bodies in the prefrontal cortex (as opposed to those in the brainstem). As these receptors desensitize (downregulate) the Celexa actually decreases anxiety to a great extent.
This start-up side effect is why many people taking SSRIs for panic disorder find that they have an increased number of panic attacks for the first month after they start taking these medications. This initial increase in panic attacks is why many people will quit taking the SSRI; but if they stuggle through the first month or two, the number of panic attacks decrease to a point of where they seldom experience attacks (at least they have far fewer panic attacks than they did prior to taking SSRIs ... in most cases).
Hang in there, the anxiety will decrease. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:96321
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96421.html