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Citalopram or Mirtazapine for severe anxiety & depression

Dizzy

Anyone tried either Citalopram or Mirtazapine for anxiety &/or complex trauma? My 16 year old ASD transgender son struggles with almost constant severe anxiety & voices in his head and having had no luck on Sertraline, Fluoxetine, & especially not with anti-psychotics because they've realised he's not psychotic, they want him to start one of these other antidepressants. He's not convinced so we're trying to gather any evidence that these may or may not be effective so we can make an informed decision. Thanks in advance.

Parents

  • I've tried both for severe anxiety but had to discontinue due to severe and intolerable side effects.

    On Citalopram I experienced severe agitation, restlessness, massively increased anxiety and an inability to sleep without vivid nightmares. I believe it is known as SSRI induced activation syndrome 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activation_syndrome

    After a few months I was experiencing constant suicidal ideation, despite not having depression or suicidal thoughts prior to taking them. I believe the risk of that happening is higher in younger people but it can happen at any age.

    Mirtazapine (not an SSRI) is what I was put on next but they did not help in any way. The vivid and horrific nightmares got worse and I became extremely angry for no reason pretty much all the time. 

    Just my personal experience and not medical advice. Some people do seem to find them helpful but personally I would not take them again under any circumstances.

  • in reply to Autonomistic

    I had a similar experience to Autonomistic on Citalopram - it was the most terrible experience and I’ve never dared take any other mental health medication ever since. 
    Obviously everyone is different - but if your child does take it then do take care and keep a close eye on him. It gave me a strong urge to kill myself - which I didn’t have before starting the medication (I had really bad anxiety which was why I went to my gp for help). So do be very careful to watch for any signs of suicidal ideation. 

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  • in reply to Autonomistic

    I had a similar experience to Autonomistic on Citalopram - it was the most terrible experience and I’ve never dared take any other mental health medication ever since. 
    Obviously everyone is different - but if your child does take it then do take care and keep a close eye on him. It gave me a strong urge to kill myself - which I didn’t have before starting the medication (I had really bad anxiety which was why I went to my gp for help). So do be very careful to watch for any signs of suicidal ideation. 

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