Panic disorder (anxiety)?

I am being treated for panic/anxiety disorder and am currently being treated with 20mg citalopram but it doesnt seem to be helping. My problem is I find it very difficult to go to work because I keep getting these headaches and feeling very dizzy all the time everytime i seem to leave my house. I am also finding it hard to go to sleep and stay asleep when i finally do get to sleep, i cant conentrate. I have just had 3 weeks off work because of this problem, and i went back to work yesterday, today i felt like coming home again because as i was standing in a que to pay for my lunch i got a big headache and felt like i couldnt open my eyes, and i was very dizzy. It seems to happen when i am around loads of people, but it occasionally happens at home too when it's only me and my girlfriend. Can anyone relate to this? Or have any advice? thanks

I'm on a similar medication. If you ahve just started, you can get side effects from it, like panic attacks and some head aches, you really need to go back to your doctor and explain this to them. Sadly, any medication you take will increase the problem for a short time, up to 4 weeks, then you will settle down. they may increase your dose to try and speed this, but you should ask for some kind of counsilling too.

Could it be that you suffer from claustrophobia and silike feeling enclosed in by other people around you. This points anxiety and you really need to fully explain this to your doctor.

Your medication will take about a month to kick in properly so keep taking it. Meantime try and keep tabs on how often you are getting these headaches.

All the best and try not to worry too much I'm sure you will soon be feeling fine but you need to take it one step at a time.

PS Whatever you do do not stop taking the medication give it a chance please. It can be very dustressing and dangerous to stop medication without advice and supervision and like I said it is early days yet.

I had a very similar problem a couple of years ago,unfortunately I was off work for 4 months in total and it was hell so I sympathise with you. Counselling can help,they use CBT (something behaviour therapy) and that helps. One thing that did help is doing a deep muscle relaxation tape,I got mine from my local hospital. Deep breaths is really important too,I didn't think they helped at the height of my problem but they certainly did,the key is to take a deep breath in counting to 4 with your stomach rising (not your chest,this way you get more air) then breathe out through your mouth counting to 8.
I really hope you get the help you need,i know what a nighmare it is.

Panic disorder usually has an underlying physiological
trigger - sometimes problems breathing or getting oxygen
- that cause the body to have a "fight or flight" reaction for
a prolonged period of time.

Do you find yourself breathing differently at work than
at home? If so, does the breathing differently happen
BEFORE the panic, or after?

I know of one patient who had panic disorder associated
with eating ... it turned out that due to the construction
of her throat and nose, she wasn't breathing while she
ate.

This may be vastly overly simplistic or entirely
unrelated to what you are experiencing, but you
should at least look at your own respiratory behavior.

Oxygen - its not just for breakfast anymore.

I have this same problem. I haven't been to a doctor yet, but I am going to go to one soon. Caffeine can sometimes induce this problem, and so I've stopped drinking soda and it has helped with my racing heartbeat and I seem to sleep better. You just can't relax can you? I was sitting on my couch last night with my boyfriend after a long day at work, and I just couldn't relax. I couldn't settle down. I felt there were things I needed to get done, and there was nothing left to do. Sounds crazy, I know. I always feel like I'm real nervous, like I'm going on a first date all the time. It's wearing me down. People in large amounts generally make me nervous, to the point where I start to panic pretty badly. I learned you can do a breathing thing to help. Hold your breath and slowly count to 5 in your mind. Release. Repeat 3 times in sets of 3. Also, be sure and take your vitamins. Good luck sweetie.

Check and see if you have allergies, I have allergies and they do get the anxiety level up, it sucks man,,but hang in there and remember, panic attacks or anxiety CANNOT kill you

I myself suffer from extreme social anxiety and it keeps me from working and going to school/social gatherings. I'm currently taking xanax 2mg CR and it's not reaaly helping but I hope it kicks in soon.I reaally can't give u any advice because i'm in a similiar situation but hopefully we both will get help with this disorder. Just keep taking your meds.

Do you think you might be suffering from agoraphobia? Your panic attacks might be related to being in crowds, away from home, or places that cause you great anxiety.

I hope you will go back to your doctor and get some further investigation.

Good luck.

I definatley can relate.
I used to be on Lexapro and I used to get extremely bad dizzy spells and I would pass out and it was just horrible. I could have died because I fell against a glass door.
My advice would be to try another medication and stop taking it. Tell your doctor because there are many other medications out there.
I'm no doctor but from pas expierence I would say just stop cold turkey and don't get back on it because the dizzy spells could worsen.

I can't give you advice (good anyway) but I still have a full bottle of citalopram because I also was getting headaches and the feeling of wanting to vomit. I take other stuff now to increase the serotonin levels.

Changing to a different SSRI can have a profound positive effect if that 1 has not worked after 6-8 weeks. They may all do the same job but each person is an individual and reacts differently to each ingrediant. Citalopram is more selective and less gentle than Prozac but is more powerful for some, if you have only just began with the Citalopram then it's possible side effects and will fade after say 3 weeks.

i can relate, i took citalopram for about 2 months and it didn't help, it could still work for you though as it takes a couple of weeks to build up in your system,
it sounds like you are under alot of stress and anxiety,
you can't concentrate cause your mind is overworked and tired due to stress
its common for ppl with panic disorder to feel what your feeling when you go outside or surrounded by ppl its like a body response to danger even though your really not in danger your mind thinks you are,
i have mine mostly at home, mines is a feeling of being trapped and i get a wash of fear, but im controlling mine just with positive thinking,
what you could do is read up on panic disorder and anxiety,
and try this site www.panicsurvivour,com

I can relate to you as i have the same problem. I was once on a tablet similar to what you are on, and it can take a few weeks to take effect. Maybe some councilling would help, or something like stress management as you will learn why you feel the way you do. Medication should only be used as a last resort - only if you have to, as you can have problems trying to come off it. Due to panic attacks and anxiety i had nearly 1 and a half years off work, until my doctor changed my medication, which then made me feel better. You should try to find out what was the trigger for your panic attacks, and then maybe you could learn to overcome them. It isnt easy - i know - ive had them and been on medication for 7 years now for them, and i would do anything to come off the medication and lead a normal life. I hope this has helped.

I am also on citalopram. It helps but you should talk to your doctor. I'm also on Klonapin which is what gets rid of the panic. My citalopram is for depression. I know they use it for panic, but if the panic is that bad you'll need something to supplement it. You may be getting dizzy and headaches from your anxiety (very common). I'm sure they told you that you're panic is from anxiety. I'm not a doctor but it sounds like you need more meds or a new doctor. I also had agoraphobia where I couldn't leave the house without your symptoms and more. Catch it before you end up that way--

im on the same for alot of different issues

Never suddenly stop taking Citalopram or other SSRI medication, as this has a major effect on your mind and body. Your GP has been responsible to prescribe this to help you and deserves the chance to be able to remedy this, should Citalopram be causing these side effects.

You'll find that dizziness, sleep disorders and anxiety are amongst the side effects that the manufacturers quote on their leaflet within the Citalopram packing. Often the side effects wear off over time, but see your GP now so that she/he can consider the next course of action for you.

There are many options for treatment, including therapies and/or different medications that are available.

And please, never just stop taking this medication, without medical supervision!

Good luck! Rob

I've been taking Citalopram for about 3 years now, and still regularly suffer with anxiety/panic.
the citalopram doen't help with the panic, but it sure as hell helps control the depression (although i know it doesn't work for everyone - my partner had to try 4 or 5 Anti-d's befor they found one that suited him!).

The dizzyness could be due to hypeventilation(cause by the anxiety/panic), which could cause the headaches. I also get pins and needles, or tingling in my hands and feet when I'm really bad.

Try to keep calm, pratice different breathing techniques, find other things that help keep you calm (I use an MP3 player and a stuffed toy!!).

Go back to your doctor - you may need more time off work (I was signed off in Auguse 2006 - and am still off, and not expecting to go back anytime soon).

It might also be worth investigating the possibility of getting counselling, something has started this reaction, and its whatever that something is that needs to be sorted out, not just the symptoms of the panic/anxiety.

Good luck!

Remember that your health is more important than anything!

Headaches can be caused by minor problems
like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more serious reasons
like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can
have harmful side effects, so it is better to
modify your lifestyle. More information available at