Escitalopram and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anx...
• May 11, 2017

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've suffered with social anxiety for around 2 years. I wouldn't leave my house or my bedroom, it was so, so bad. I even had to drop out of school over it. A year passed, and my anxiety got much worse. I felt like I was going crazy. Social anxiety turned into anxiety altogether. I felt like I was losing my mind. I looked in the mirror and didn't know who I was. I was hallucinating when I closed my eyes, seeing pictures and objects. I would even talk to myself, like a mini conversation going into my head. I got so, so depressed over it, where I would cry every single day and stay in bed. I became so suicidal. I started taking 5 mg Lexapro, and it changed my life. I still suffer with the thoughts, but not so bad anymore. I can get out of bed and enjoy life."

• Jan...
• January 15, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "For 8 years, I had depression, which I did not realize I had. Tired after waking up, low motivation, lazy, crying for nothing, stressed easily, gained weight, low libido, insomnia, no social contacts, etc. Until I asked for help from a doctor. I started with 10 mg for 1.5 months and, from today, 15 mg. I am very happy now as I see huge improvement - tiredness is gone, I cannot cry actually anymore (just cannot), I enjoy cleaning and organizing my home, playing with children, I am patient with children's mistakes and loudness now again, motivated to improve life, social contacts are a pleasure. The first 3 weeks were awful - felt sick, panic, depression, worthlessness, insomnia, but now after 1.5 months, I feel back in my skin! Happy. Libido is back again."

• Jan...
• January 15, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "For 8 years, I had depression, which I did not realize I had. Tired after waking up, low motivation, lazy, crying for nothing, stressed easily, gained weight, low libido, insomnia, no social contacts, etc. Until I asked for help from a doctor. I started with 10 mg for 1.5 months and, from today, 15 mg. I am very happy now as I see huge improvement - tiredness is gone, I cannot cry actually anymore (just cannot), I enjoy cleaning and organizing my home, playing with children, I am patient with children's mistakes and loudness now again, motivated to improve life, social contacts are a pleasure. The first 3 weeks were awful - felt sick, panic, depression, worthlessness, insomnia, but now after 1.5 months, I feel back in my skin! Happy. Libido is back again."

• MAR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2024

For Anxiety "I'm glad I read the reviews because after two weeks taking escitalopram 10mg, I actually feel much worse than before I started it. I'm constantly tired although I sleep well at night, and I am anxious and mildly to moderately depressed most of the time. I am hopeful that, in accordance with the experience of other users, things will improve in another few weeks, and I look forward to that."

• bam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2017

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I like this med! I had severe anxiety and moderate depression. I'm only on 5 mg to start, but in 2-3 weeks, I noticed a big change in balance, mood, less anxiety, and depression. I'm still a little depressed and would like to go up to 10 mg. Perhaps 25-30 mg is too much, but in smaller doses, gradually increased, is greatly changing my quality of life. PS Take in the morning. I wish you all well."

• sud...
• December 13, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I just started Lexapro 3 days ago, 5 mg for anxiety, and I must say I think I feel worse than I did before I took it. I feel all shaky and feel a bit down, and I have gone off my food. Is this normal? Has anyone else felt like this?"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "Stay away from Lexapro!! I started taking 5 mg Lexapro 4 months ago. Starting the medication was rough, I experienced every terrible side effect it could offer. The worst was depression. I began Lexapro because of panic and anxiety, I’d never had a depressed thought in my life before taking this. After 3 weeks, I started to feel a little better, and my anxiety was under control. Fast forward to now - I am absolutely miserable! I’ve never had an issue sleeping, and now I have extreme insomnia. My anxiety and panic attacks are back and worse than before. My head hurts to the point of almost feeling like I have a brain tumor. I have zero motivation for life, which has made me a completely different person than I was before taking this medication. Taking Lexapro was the worst decision I’ve ever made. Don’t risk it."

• sha...
• June 2, 2009

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I was on Paxil and switched to Lexapro a few years back (3) and have not had many side effects. It really does calm me down, so I have become a nicer person and shrug off things that I would normally go crazy about, less shouting, etc. I take 20 mg. I do feel it has made me lazier and as a result, I have been putting on some weight as I exercise less. It does affect orgasms, which are much harder to pull off and take incredible effort. I tried 3 times to go off the drug cold turkey, with terrible results. I just became depressed. After a few days, I just went back on it again and after 15 minutes felt the glow of calm come into my body and I was 'normal' again. It is addictive, to quit, definitely need to decrease dose gradually."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I have depression and anxiety with OCD. I was on Lexapro for a year. I didn't notice much in terms of lessening my depression. I was much more tired, and I still had loss of interest in my usual activities. I also gained about 28 lbs during the year while on this medicine. All I wanted to do was sleep, I never could get enough. I combated the leftover anxiety with my as-needed benzos. I was on 20 mg Lexapro. The pills also gave me heartburn. I'm now on Prozac awaiting to see if there's a difference. It's worked for me in the past, so here's to hoping!"

• Jac...
• August 26, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "So basically, since I was around 20 (I'm 36 now), I've suffered from general anxiety and horrible panic attacks, really bad hypochondria. I've gone to the hospital thinking I was dying of everything. I graduated from an Ivy League college and suffered the entire time. Finally, I decided to bite the bullet and try Lexapro (brand name, not generic). I started at 10 mg and had a week of terrible side effects including: depression, couldn't cry, weird feelings hard to describe, insomnia, increased anxiety, fatigue, and an all-around shaky feeling. I couldn't deal with it, so I started to cut the pills in half to 5 mg, side effects went away, except I have increased libido (it gets annoying). No panic attacks. Still have anxiety a little tiny bit."

• Bun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I've been taking 10 mg for about 8 months. About a month ago, I went through some tough times that sent me to the mental hospital. After I got out, I told the psych to cut the Lexapro because it was making me fat and it didn't keep me from going to the hospital. Within a week of starting it, I felt overwhelming sadness that progressed to the point that I couldn't get out of bed and I would draw the blinds in the day and just sob. My psych is on vacation right now, but I couldn't take the sadness anymore, so I restarted my Lexapro and within 2 days, I was feeling so much better. I'm grateful for it now."

• tit...
• August 29, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I started the medication due to panic attacks and anxiety. Initially, I had much worsening anxiety and depression. I had improvement in anxiety symptoms after about 3 weeks. However, I was very ill and bedridden. My mind was calm, but also I did not want to do anything. I didn't care about anything. I lost my car, my home, my job - everything because I didn't care! I was always sleepy and could sleep 14 hours straight. I had major sexual dysfunction at 26 years. I tapered off slowly after about 8 weeks. I was left with constant dizziness weeks after to the point that I fell down the stairs. Over a month after stopping, I'm doing well. No meds. Just making positive changes and counseling and trying to get back everything I lost in a couple of months on this med. I still have a little anxiety, but I'm learning to control it. Gotta control it or it'll control you! I've learned that anxiety is like a bully. You have to confront it and not try to ignore it. Move toward your fear! Slowly it will get better!"

• myl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I have been taking Lexapro for about 2 months now. I started taking it to treat my worsening anxiety due to stress, school, family, etc. After a few weeks of taking it, my anxiety was a lot better, I was more calm, peaceful, etc. But I started becoming tired all the time and super unmotivated and lacking enjoyment in the things I once loved. Then I started realizing how much more depressed I was becoming. I am still taking Lexapro, but now my depression is worsening. I have suffered from depression in the past, and while Lexapro has helped my anxiety, it has made me extremely depressed."

• NoO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I was prescribed this drug for major depression and C-PTSD. I only took it for one week, 5 mg. It was awful. I was exhausted all of the time, had trouble falling asleep, and my sleep was disturbed by very vivid and bizarre dreams. I woke up every morning shaking, dizzy, and disoriented. During the day, my legs hurt so bad it made walking difficult. It made me so hungry, craving carbs, I gained 9 lbs of belly fat in one week! It left me with zero motivation and unable to feel any joy, excitement, or pleasure. I felt detached, empty, I felt dead. I stopped taking it, and while I'm still struggling with depression, I do feel like me again. I feel alive and have lost all of the weight gained while taking it."

• NoO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I was prescribed this drug for major depression and C-PTSD. I only took it for one week, 5 mg. It was awful. I was exhausted all of the time, had trouble falling asleep, and my sleep was disturbed by very vivid and bizarre dreams. I woke up every morning shaking, dizzy, and disoriented. During the day, my legs hurt so bad it made walking difficult. It made me so hungry, craving carbs, I gained 9 lbs of belly fat in one week! It left me with zero motivation and unable to feel any joy, excitement, or pleasure. I felt detached, empty, I felt dead. I stopped taking it, and while I'm still struggling with depression, I do feel like me again. I feel alive and have lost all of the weight gained while taking it."

• MAS...
• January 10, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prescribed for anxiety, GAD, MDD. After being on Zoloft for several years, when my depression and anxiety spectrum returned, we decided to try Lexapro. It just never felt 'right' from day one. After several months, I noticed the feelings did not improve, and I figured I would need to live with it. Now almost a year since starting, I've made the switch back to a low dose of Zoloft. Within weeks, I again feel 'normal,' and I am not plagued by the overall unease I felt on Lexapro (specifically increased anxiety, developing agoraphobia, EXTREME laziness and no motivation, obsessive thoughts, and headaches). Being mindful now, everyone is different. We all are wired uniquely. I know many people who love Lexapro. Not for me, though."

• Byr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for about 4 weeks. I think in the first few weeks, it made my depression worse. I began to have very crazy, scary thoughts. I held on, now I am just sort of okay. I am having a few hours a day of feeling a lot of relief, but still, the morning is a downhill slope. I am going to give it a few more weeks. My anxiety has gotten a bit better."

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2022

For Anxiety "I am so grateful. I had to give it at least 6 weeks before I felt much better. The first weeks I felt worse, it was quite rough, but it was side effects. I kept telling myself it would get better and I asked people around me to repeat that message too. Slowly I started feeling better, and now 4 months later I’m so grateful and happy I gave it a chance. It’s my second time on this medicine. This time, after I was completely knocked by the recent virus C, C triggered some old health issues and traumas and stuffed up my gut. It also gave me increased feelings of anxiety and absolute despair. There were honestly nights and days I didn’t think I’d be able to go on, BUT I gave Escitalopram a chance, starting with 5mg for the first week and then upped it to 10mg. I photographed reviews that were positive and read them when it was tough. I’m so happy I persisted and gave it at least 8 weeks. Plus, I focused on healing my gut."

• Lea...
• June 15, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "Day one. Good day, I am a 41-year-old black female married, with children. I mentioned my race because culturally my people will not seek help as it's a stigma that you are weak. I made a major move from Michigan to Fort Lauderdale, leaving behind everything I knew, including my daughters for a few months. It triggered the panic attacks I again suffered. I started to self-medicate with marijuana, which honestly worked miracles for me up until recently. I'm starting to feel that weed is causing me more anxiety. Two weeks ago, I blacked out and had two major attacks from excessive smoking. These last few attacks landed me in the ER twice in two days. Over the last few weeks after that, I have not been the same, my anxiety was now being aided with mild depression. I finally sought help from my psychiatrist, and now I have a therapist as well. This is my first day on Lexapro am dose. I had to go home for lunch and take a nap, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I don't think it's Lexapro alone."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I took this medication, Lexapro, for almost 2 years for severe anxiety and moderate depression. I started at a 10 mg tablet, and about 6 months after I started, my dose was upped to the 20 mg tablet. It made me feel completely exhausted before I started taking a stimulant, and overall in the beginning, I felt okay. After about a year of being on this medication, I became very depressed and overly sensitive (when I was never like this in the past), and it made me feel overall more depressed than I had before and slightly suicidal. A little after 2 years of taking this medication, I decided to no longer continue using it and suddenly stopped, cold turkey. There were some withdrawal phases, but overall I felt so much better once I stopped using it. I feel that this medication would probably have been more effective for me if I used it for a short term and not for a duration of more than a year."

• Emi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "It helped me take away my PTSD spirals and panic attacks - sometimes. I’m disappointed, but I’m more disappointed my doctor didn’t recognize my stomach issues as a side effect. For years, I’ve been on Lexapro and I’ve been tired all the time, depressed, and it honestly made it worse. Finally, I got off after coming clean to everyone about my dark thoughts that are my PTSD/shame I’ve hidden because I didn’t think my childhood sexual trauma would be the cause? I’m not disappointed in the drug, but the way we use it. I had to feel the hard feelings, and the drug was in the way. I hope others find it helpful."

• Nol...
• May 6, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I suffered from irregular anxiety and panic attacks so bad I would vomit and be incapacitated for days. Then a few stressful family events happened all at once, and suddenly I was having panic attacks daily. I decided to try medication as I wasn’t able to calm down from my panicked state and knew something had to change. So I started Lexapro 10 mg. At first, my anxiety was more severe, and I was feeling depressed when I had never been a depressed person before. My doctor told me to stick with it, and I’m glad I did. After about 4 weeks, I felt stable and happy. I had a good appetite for the first time in years and felt like I could handle day-to-day issues with confidence again. It’s been about 3 months now, and I feel more capable and functional than ever. I would advise anyone struggling with the early stages to stick with it and to speak to a psychologist to get some coping strategies as well. It really helped me to talk to someone and better understand what was happening to me."

• sop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 24, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I have been on Lexapro (20 mg) for 2 years, and prior to that, I was taking Paxil (25 mg) for 6 months (25 y/o female). My personality completely changed upon taking Lexapro-very apathetic, aggressive, secluded. I gained weight (20 lbs) and could not drink more than 2/3 alcoholic drinks without risking a blackout. If I didn’t take the pill for 2 days, I would absolutely freak out. All I could do is cry and complain. I would sweat, shake, zap, and get nauseous/dizzy every time I moved. I decided to get off this terrible medication! I am on week 4, and it’s been three days since my last dose. I’m starting to feel bad. I cannot sleep, no appetite, I can’t focus, I feel dizzy all the time, and my body temperature is never comfortable. Mood swings are a big one. Distracting yourself is key!"

• SJK...
• January 5, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Thank you for sharing your experience with using this medication. That's the reason why I am also sharing my experience, because it helped me through the first weeks. I am a hard-working hospitality manager that never listened to the signals of being overworked. Through the years, I developed an anxiety disorder in combination with burnout. My doc prescribed me escitalopram for 10 mg. At first, it gave me more anxiety and even depression (I was never depressed). I took 10 mg for 4 weeks and then upped to 15 mg for another 4 weeks. I was already 2 months on it and no difference at all. Then my doc upped me for the last time to 20 mg, and the first day I took the 20 mg, life started to change. I didn't have panic attacks or negative thoughts about the fear of having cancer or getting cancer. My mind is at ease, and I can deal with negative things in life much easier. I have to admit that my libido went to 0.0, but since my wife is pregnant and now at 40 weeks, this doesn't really bother us."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Lexapro for a little over 3 months. After the first month or so, I could see a huge difference with my depression and even my anxiety. For the last few weeks or so, my anxiety has been out of control, and my depression is back full force. I take my medication every night, pretty close to the same time. I don't know what to do. This is affecting my home life and work life. I have heard so many good things about Lexapro, but apparently, it isn't for me."