Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Lizzy
• June 10, 2014

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I suffered (still do) from generalized anxiety disorder. About 4 months ago, I finally had to do something. My anxiety got so bad that I couldn't do anything, and I didn't want to do anything! School didn't interest me, I never wanted to go out with my friends, and the symptoms were so bad that all I wanted to do was stay in bed (dizziness, fatigue, muscle aches, panic attacks, and waking up out of nowhere during the night). I went to my doctor, and he prescribed me 10mg of Lexapro. At first, I was scared to take it, but finally, I was like, WHAT THE HECK?! This might help me. And it did. The first week or two I felt dizzy like I was swaying back and forth, and the dry mouth was annoying, but I got used to it. This medication makes me feel like a new person!"

• Qungees
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I just hit my sixth week on 10 mg of Lexapro and I finally feel like myself again, but without the crippling weight of constant anxiety and panic. I had a rough time adjusting to the medication for the first few weeks as it was my first experience with an SSRI, but this past week I’ve felt at complete ease and peace in a way I haven’t felt in years. I’ve been sleeping through the night, eating well, socializing, and enjoying life again. I was skeptical at first, but I’m so glad I stuck with it because the effect is incredible! Seriously a life changing medication."

• Jdow
• April 14, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I've suffered with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder for 28 years. I was terrified of taking medicine for fear of feeling out of control of myself. The first week of starting Lexapro was very difficult for me. My anxiety seemed to worsen a bit during the first week, but on day 10, my life began to change forever. I began to feel normal and get back my old self. I've been on 20 mg for 7 months, and it has changed my life. I can do things that were difficult for me without worrying excessively and don't feel that panic feeling anymore. I'm very happy, and my family is too. I don't feel the limitations that my anxiety had imposed on me most of my life. I feel free to live again. I highly recommend trying this even if you're scared to death like I was. Now I just feel normal."

• Clove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Been on 10mg for 6 weeks. I am a mom and a wife, I have close friendships with girlfriends, workout 5 days a week, and a genuinely happy person. But I have always felt stressed and anxious. I would go days without sleeping (more than 2-3 hours). I was afraid to start lexapro because I thought it would change me, but I just got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore- the anxiety and sleep deprivation was getting worse and worse. I started with 5mg for 5 days and then moved up to 10mg. The first week was pretty bad. I was exhausted, nauseous, and very lethargic. But each week got better! I haven’t taken a Xanax in 4+ weeks, I sleep 8 hours every night. When I do have stressful situations I am able to deal with them in a productive way, without going down this spiral path of anxiety and helplessness. I feel like myself but just better. I can deal with problems, I am calm, I can put things in perspective. It has helped so much."

• SBS
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Lexapro absolutely changed my life. I've suffered from debilitating anxiety for a very long time, and I was very stubborn and refused to take any form of medication until I hit rock bottom. I couldn't function anymore. I was anxious all day long and couldn't get anything done. I ended up failing a very important exam, and it was a wake-up call. I finally took the decision to get my life together, went to a psychiatrist, and got prescribed Lexapro. The first few weeks were hell. I had no appetite, my anxiety got worse, and my brain was really foggy. But I was informed that those were normal side effects when starting Lexapro and that they would go away. Indeed, after about a week, it all went away. Then, I didn't really notice any change for a couple of weeks and thought that it didn't work and considered stopping. But thankfully, I continued. After about 8 weeks, I started noticing differences. My anxiety went away, and I got my life back. (There is so much more, but word limits :( )"

• Taylor
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was on paxil for 5 years before switching to lexapro due to unwanted to side-effects (loss of sex drive, anhedonia, night sweats and hand tremors). Lexapro has proven to be just as effective as the paxil in controlling my anxiety/panic-disorder, with nearly none of the side-effects that paxil caused!"

• Ally
• September 25, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Back in May, I was having a pretty bad bout of anxiety. I was getting very little sleep. I had no appetite and my stomach always felt like it was in a knot. I had no desire to go out and socialize. After dealing with on and off anxiety/panic attacks for a decade, I decided I had enough. I started on 5mg Lexapro at the end of May. My doctor said it would take 4-6 weeks to fully work. By around week 4 I felt doubtful. I went on vacation and still had random nervousness. But I noticed small changes. In addition to GAD/panic disorder, I also had social anxiety. I never quite knew the extent of it until I started feeling Lexapro's full effects. I began to find it easy to make conversation with strangers. I found myself becoming more social. I'm less afraid to say what comes to my mind. I haven't felt the emotion of embarrassment in months now, which is something I'd struggle with. Lexapro has changed my life. I can truly say that I've become a better version of myself."

• Life...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Lexapro changed my life. I am so against medication and was scared to try anything, but after 6 months of pure hell and not being able to function, I surrendered to Lexapro and am so happy I did. The side effects were bad, but with the help of my doctor and this page, I didn't give up. It took 6 weeks to start feeling like a human again. The two things I would say to anyone starting is 1. Give it time, 2 months plus, and 2. Pills are not miracles; you have to work on yourself and with a professional in addition, but it's worth it. Stay strong."

• Debs
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I just started Lexapro 5mg today for GAD. This website has been beneficial for me. Having previously tried Lustral 50mg for one week and having awful side effects, I stopped taking them. I got scared. So far, I just have nausea. I will report back."

• 50 yo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2022

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Start with 10mg lexapro 12 weeks ago and feel completely back to normal. First week was rough, increased anxiety and a few side effects but every weeks things improved and side effects subsided. By week 4 things got better by leaps and bounds. By week 10 no side effects and zero anxiety. I had insomnia in the beginning and it is improving weekly. Highly recommend being on Ativan in the beginning to help with increased anxiety and sleep issues if you experience that. Worked great for me and I'm a huge fan of lexapro. Suffered really bad G.A.D."

• Kcano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Lexapro truly has changed my life. I honestly didn’t even realize how much my anxiety had taken over my life until it wasn’t there anymore. I feel like I am alive again instead of just going through the motions!"

• Lousa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Have tried sertraline, paroxetine and mirtazapine for GAD/panic attacks and have to say Escitalopram is best, very effective with the least amount and least severe side effects! Did not cause sexual side effects! Feel calm but not sedated and still feel in touch with my emotions. Would highly recommend for anxiety! Greatly enhanced my life and would not be without"

• Bess
• June 23, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I have been on Lexapro for a year and it LITERALLY saved my life. I was experiencing panic attacks, had mild depression, and social phobia. One year later and I have NONE of that! I think I will be on this medication for the rest of my life. I am 33 years old and WISH I had started this medication in my early 20s as my anxiety held me back in so many ways from living life. Now I am stable, I feel happy to hop out of bed, I am confident at work, no more social phobia, shaking, and heart palpitations, etc. I was so scared to take this medication when I first started, as I read many reviews that mention the bad side effects. Honestly, do not let the starting side effects discourage you. The side effects are not fun, BUT it is also not fun having extreme anxiety and/or depression for the rest of your life. The side effects will go away! Obviously, this is my experience; everyone is different, but my advice is to stick it out! It only changed my life for the better. I started on 5mg, two weeks later 10mg, and now on 15mg."

• Jordan
• August 18, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "This was the most incredible pill. It entirely changed my life. I used to be so scared of failure and it used to affect my income and job performance. I used to have really bad anxiety and it used to affect my sleep pretty badly. The first month and a half were pretty brutal on Lexapro, but after that, it immediately began working. I no longer suffer from anxiety. I sleep extremely well. I can multitask now and I don't worry about things like I used to, and my fear of failure is long gone. I was like you, reading this review, thinking that they must be fake. But I said, what the hell, and decided to book an appointment with my psychiatrist. My life has never been better since!"

• RealRL
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was very resistant to the idea of taking meds, but somehow lived with crippling anxiety for over 10 years that affected my friendships, family connections and ability to have a meaningful relationship. A year ago I tried Prozac and it made me have suicidal thoughts and the start up affects didn't disappear after 8 weeks. Then 3 months ago I bit the bullet and tried lexapro. Let me tell you that any Doctor who says u will be fine after 2 weeks doesn't know what they are talking about. The start up effects are brutal...sickness, increased anxiety, depression. I couldn't leave bed. However, 6-8 weeks later all these effects subsided and now 3 months + in its the best I've ever felt. This is game changer for someone who has suffered anxiety for over 10 years. Next...dedication towards therapies (recommend ACT, excellent framework to building up resistance to anxiety and minimalising its impact on your life). Stick with it...6-8 weeks of pain is nothing compared to months, years of feeling great."

• funsize
• April 3, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "For the past year or so, my anxiety has been at an all time high. I couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't eat a full meal. I felt lost and hopeless. A few weeks into my new job, I went to a new physician's assistant. She prescribed 10 mg of Lexapro daily for anxiety, and 50 mg of hydroxyzine as needed for anxiety and insomnia. She also suggested I look into therapy. The two days of Lexapro was a nightmare. I was foggy, dizzy, nauseous, and not able to stay awake for more than a few hours. I went onto this website and read testimonials that inspired me to keep going. Now that I am 4 weeks in, I am so happy I decided to stay on Lexapro. I am able to tackle stressors more effectively. I feel more content and happy in my everyday interactions, and am leaning more into my support system of close friends and family. My appetite is normal and food actually tastes good again. I am looking into counselling/therapy options. I feel hopeful for the first time in a long time."

• Lorie...
• August 22, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "This medicine changed my life. I've suffered from social anxiety for 20 years and always afraid to ask for help, until one wedding anniversary with my husband at a restaurant was too much for me. I was uncomfortable and had major anxiety just eating in a restaurant, and I was tired of feeling like this. The next day I told my doctor I needed help, he gave me Lexapro and my life has changed. I'm loving life again and nothing is holding me back. I'm so grateful I asked for help."

• Rwaters
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 27, 2014

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I've been taking Lexapro for about 2 years now, and it has been a lifesaver. I developed an anxiety disorder that gave me a constant nauseous feeling and fast heartbeat. My doctor gave me Lexapro, and the first few weeks were a hard adjustment, but after that, I felt so much better. I got my life back on track."

• Dself
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2022

Lexapro (escitalopram) "My doctor started me on Effexor and changed me to Lexapro due to my body not tolerating the medication well. I started Lexparo on a 5mg dose at night. The first week was rough as my body adjusted between the two medications. I had heightened anxiety, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, nausea, dry heaving, and loose stools. I switched to taking the medication in the morning and it seemed to help my inability to sleep. I found taking the medication on a full stomach made the nausea go away. After four weeks, my doctor upped the dose to 10mg. I am finally starting to feel like my old self again. Lexparo has saved my life! My anxiety is better, my appetite has come back and I feel like I can truly enjoy living again. I am not crying all the time, staying in bed all day or hiding from the world. Be patient with this medication and give it a chance! Once you get past the first 10 days things get so much better and it is worth it."

• Mads
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "First antidepressant I ever took. Ruined my libido, caused suicidal thoughts. I had to go to the hospital because I wanted to commit suicide. I had nightmares every night about a trauma I experienced when I was 16. Horrible, and I always tell people to stop taking after they notice bad symptoms- I wish I did."

• BWano
• March 14, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I started suffering serious depression and anxiety a few years ago while trying to reintegrate myself into society, the work force and social circles following 12 years in prison. My doctor's tried me on multiple other SSRI meds to no avail. About 7 weeks ago I was started on Lexapro and after a few weeks of patience and perseverance through the fits of sweating, tiredness and sleepiness I feel like I am much much better. I have been able to let go of my prison mentality and actually feel like I do have a place in society. I am working, making new healthy friends and rebuilding family ties. I now understand that my drug use was tied in with my depression and anxiety more so than I ever thought. There is no doubt that you must be patient with Lexapro and may have to get through a couple weeks of uncomfortable side effects HOWEVER, Lexapro is far superior in my experience with treating serious anxiety and depression."

• AmyC
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2024

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I started on Zoloft on my GAD journey back in 2020 just after Covid began.... it didn't agree with me after 3 weeks of trying my hardest. Lexapro was next, started on 10 mg and increased 5 mg 4 weeks later then up to 20 mg after that. Wow, Lexapro helped me. I still battled panic attacks on it but wasn't looking after myself/learning to cope with them through meditation, exercise, etc. I can gladly say it's been 6 months since I've had a panic attack and have almost tapered off. Luckily, it hasn't been too rough. Going from 10 mg to 5 mg has caused headaches, trouble sleeping, just feeling WEIRD (dizzy, a bit erratic) but I know it's my body getting used to going back to normal. I will continue to exercise/eat healthy. I also want to fall pregnant in 2025, so that's why I planned this in advance alongside the absence of panic attacks for ages. I would take it again if necessary. Personally, it really helped me."

• Deb...
• June 11, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I have been dealing with anxiety and depression off and on most of my life. I have never previously asked for help because I thought it was a sign of weakness. Before, I was waking up in tears, I was always angry, sure that everyone was judging me. It completely crippled me. I also was self-medicating with pot and with chocolate, and my weight was ballooning. I finally asked for help and started on a generic Lexapro 10 mg - 2 weeks ago, and it is like a miracle. I'm sleeping well, not a tear shed, losing weight, have lost interest in both chocolate and pot. I feel content and happy, yet I still feel like me. I wish I had asked for help a long time ago. Life is good!"

• Annie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2017

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was suffering from major depression and anxiety disorder. I had adverse reactions to Zoloft and Trazodone, so I was beginning to believe there was no hope. I could not function, and the anxiety disorder caused high blood pressure, anorexia, and absolute dysfunction in my life. I couldn't go for more than a few hours without Xanax. Then my doctor put me on Lexapro. I began taking 5mg a day on 3/1/2017. After 11 days, a miracle occurred. I woke up with a positive attitude for the first time in ages, and each day has been even better. There is hope. Side effects for me were morning fatigue, so I will switch to taking it at bedtime. My blood pressure was 107/66 today at my doctor appointment. I don't even need the Xanax, and I am hungry for once."

• AmyC
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Would rate 15/10 if I could. I started having panic attacks and this was a solution to help quickly from my doc as well as a psych. I was on it for 2 years solid with no issues, this medication saved me when I was at my lowest. Funky side effects for the first few weeks, but give it a chance and be as patient as you can ❣️ I've decided I am in a healthy and fit place in my life with my new motivation for fitness, and don't need it anymore (doc agreed and started my taper). I was on 20mg, and I will taper down 2.5mg every 4 weeks until I'm done. Side effects so far - slight headaches and issues with falling asleep, irritable while trying to fall asleep, nothing unbearable, but I was on duloxetine years ago and cut that cold turkey with no withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping this will be similar."