i have just started taking citialopram 20mg a day, i have been on it for 8 days, dont feel any better, its holidays at the minute and i dont go out because when i have pressure in any form i find it intensifies the depression so at the minute staying in to avoid it!

I dont seem to have any positive impacts from medication yet, when should i start to see any? will i start to see interest in things and things funny? because i miss that! I only have had side effects (no appetite, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, drowsy an tired) at the minute but because its holidays its nothing i cant handle plus i have off till the beginning of february!

please let me know!

J

I know AD's usually take 4-6 weeks till you notice the effects. Hopefully by then you'll be feeling better.

I've also heard that it can take between 2 and 6 weeks to start to notice any positive benefits from antidepressants. My doctor told me that the first few weeks I'd actually probably feel worse, because the positive effects wouldn't have started, but the side effects would be at their worst. Apparently side effects will usually stop after your body gets used to the medication.

A friend of mine who has been on antidepressants swears that the notion that it takes time for the drugs to work is a hoax. She says she knows whether a drug will work for her within the first few weeks, and if they don't take effect immediately, in her experience they aren't going to work at all for her. I'd take that with a grain of salt, but talk to your doctor if you don't notice any positive changes around the 4 week mark.

I'm on my fifth week of lexapro/cipralex and haven't noticed any positive changes in my moods, but I've also gone through a lot of environmental stresses (being sick for a week, a major breakup). It's hard to tell whether I need a change of meds, or if I just haven't had a chance to see if they work under normal circumstances.

If your side effects don't decrease, I'd talk to your doctor about switching. No one should have to deal with all that you listed on a long-term basis. Meds can be tricky, as I've heard, but there's likely something out there that'll work for you.

Hai, thanks for the advice here guys!

I have been taking them for almost 3 weeks now, i dont see any particular improvements (side effects dont seem be as much anymore or at least i dont notice them), most i can notice is the taste of food is a bit better, besides this i have just woke up and have a tension headache, is it normal that you dont feel much improvement after just under 3 weeks. Getting a bit frustrated now as I kinda want it all to sort its self out! but trying to be patient! I still dont really want to go out and and find myself not wanting to speak to friends etc when they try to contact me, a friend of mine is actually on citilopram at the minute, he said 4 weeks for him he felt pretty good, he said atmospheres of places came back and interest etc etc. sorry for the rant just a bit frustrated!

J