Escitalopram and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Fra...
• April 15, 2011

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "My doctor gave me Lexapro 5 mg for depression and anxiety. Shortly after my first dose, I felt nothing but side effects and no benefit. Side effects were extreme restlessness, tiredness, constant yawning, and insomnia, so I stopped immediately. I then thought that maybe 5 mg was too much, so I split that in half, totaling 2.5 mg, and this worked perfectly. I suffered from moderate to severe depression, extreme fatigue, crying spells, especially in the morning, no motivation, negative and pessimistic, etc. Lexapro at 2.5 mg gave me instant relief and energy. I'm a firm believer in starting at the lowest possible dose and seeing how you go from there. If side effects outweigh the benefits, try a lower dose."

• rsh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I had clinical depression and anxiety before, 1996-2001. I had taken Paxil, Remeron, Effexor, and about 3 others I can't remember. None of them worked for me. And the doc always said give it 6 weeks to take effect. That was all hell for me. Then I felt the symptoms that I recognized from before coming on again about 2 weeks ago. I jumped early this time. My doc asked me what medication worked for me before. I told her Effexor, somewhat. She prescribed that for me. Two days of a deeper depression and higher anxiety on it. I called her today after reading online about how good Lexapro was. She prescribed it for me, 5 mg dose. I took it about four hours ago. I feel great now! I kid you not."

• Wan...
• October 5, 2010

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "A couple of weeks ago, what I considered my 'usual anxiety' symptoms started getting worse, and the doctor put me on Lexapro to calm my ever-raging mood swings. I started out on 10 mg, which threw me for a loop. I felt strange all the time, very fatigued, but had insomnia, dry mouth, and felt emotionally numb. I almost quit taking it, but then decided to try something different. I don't know if I would recommend this for everyone, but I started taking 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night. I feel 100% better! I am very alert, sleep deeply, I don't have the mid-afternoon slump, I am not as emotionally numb, and I have so much energy."

• wha...
• September 4, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Ok, so a bit of backstory. I have had anxiety and depression since I was 7, due in part to abuse. I was not diagnosed until a couple of months ago. About 3 weeks ago, I finally admitted I needed more than therapy to get through this and went to my doctor and was given Lexapro 10mg. I feel a little better, but I still feel anxious and depressed almost constantly, the only real change I have noticed is that when I get an attack, it feels less frantic, and I am able to just wait till the horrible feeling dies down. I also have not been sleeping well. I can't sleep at night. Sometimes it's the anxiety, sometimes I just can't feel tired. I get 2-3 hours once the sun comes up, but no matter how tired I am all day, I can't sleep at night. Appointment next week."

• AD1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

For Anxiety "The first day, I took 10 mg of escitalopram, and I felt really weird, so I cut that in half and started taking 5 mg. I still had a lot of side effects, but they weren’t as bad as when I took the 10 mg. I was a hot mess for weeks. After five weeks of being on 5 mg, my side effects went away but then returned. My doctor told me to increase to 10 mg, and I was scared to increase but did it anyway. Taking the 10 mg took my side effects away. It has been over two weeks of being on 10 mg, and my anxiety is better, but I still get some side effects such as mood swings, mild nausea at times, and I have been a little depressed lately, which I didn’t have before I took Lexapro (I'm taking it for anxiety). I’m hoping that if I keep taking it, everything will improve, and I will feel better. I still have good days and bad days, but this drug has helped greatly with my obsessive and anxious thoughts. We shall see how I feel after six weeks on 10 mg."

• rai...
• May 14, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I had my anxiety and panic attacks under control for 8 years thanks to CBT. But I became depressed, so I decided to try 5 mg Lexapro. First week I felt apathetic and lethargic. The second week I had anxiety, panic attacks, hypomania, extreme fidgetiness, internal vibrations, strange cold sensations, and a fast heart rate. I tried to stick it out, but after 3.5 weeks the symptoms became unbearable. After stopping, it has taken a month for my body to begin to feel normal again. After seeing multiple psychiatrists, I believe I experienced SSRI-induced 'activation syndrome.' A genetic test later advised me to not take SSRIs because I may have an 'adverse reaction.' My prescribing doctor did not recognize the activation syndrome but instead thought my symptoms pointed to Bipolar II and ADHD (untrue). These drugs are still experimental, and doctors aren’t always aware of side effects. I did notice increased positive thinking and motivation on Lexapro, but with the awful side effects, it just wasn’t worth continuing."

• mlw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I have been on Lexapro 5 mg for about a month now. I have had severe nausea and vomiting for the first two weeks. I then had acid reflux so bad that I was constantly coughing. Although it has calmed my anxiety, I have been experiencing profuse sweating, an increase in depression, diarrhea, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, and fevers. Before taking this medication, I had been on Lamictal for my bipolar disorder, manic depression, and PTSD, everything was going good, and I felt normal again, except my anxiety was through the roof."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "Have MDNOS/possibly bipolar. Went on Lamictal about 5 years ago, which saved my life (awful, terrible mood swings). Was still fairly down, so added Celexa after 1 year. This helped, but after 2 years, it lost efficacy. Switched to Lexapro 18 months ago to combat that, and it worked for a while. But the side effects have gotten worse. After 6 months of taking it, my libido started decreasing, and now it is literally gone. I get 'high' when I take it, then crash and feel like a zombie until I take it again. I have no motivation at work, can't stay focused, restless, can't just sit and be content, no emotion. Unless I'm depressed or pissed. It's not worth it. My new doctor is weaning me off it, thank god, here's hoping I come out okay on the other side."

• TMS...
• January 10, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Lexapro 5 mg (yes, that's it) for over 3 months now, and I'm ready to throw in the towel. First, let me say my anxiety has been greatly reduced. But at what cost? I am a zombie - I have no motivation to do anything, and I'm always in a foggy state. My performance at work has greatly suffered, along with my cognitive ability. Social anxiety has gotten worse only because I'm a recluse - just too tired and unmotivated to interact with people! Frequent and strong anhedonia. I wouldn't advise you not to try Lexapro - it is well regarded and often effective. But be cautious, as doctors don't get that there are side effects to this besides sexual ones. I felt the same after one week as I do now, but I was continually told it would go away."

• TMS...
• January 10, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Lexapro 5 mg (yes, that's it) for over 3 months now, and I'm ready to throw in the towel. First, let me say my anxiety has been greatly reduced. But at what cost? I am a zombie - I have no motivation to do anything, and I'm always in a foggy state. My performance at work has greatly suffered, along with my cognitive ability. Social anxiety has gotten worse only because I'm a recluse - just too tired and unmotivated to interact with people! Frequent and strong anhedonia. I wouldn't advise you not to try Lexapro - it is well regarded and often effective. But be cautious, as doctors don't get that there are side effects to this besides sexual ones. I felt the same after one week as I do now, but I was continually told it would go away."

• Jca...
• November 25, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Major Depressive Disorder "Well. I was not able to sleep for 10 days. Benadryl, Advil PMs, and Seroquel did nothing for me. Insomnia, no sleep, restless to the point of exhaustion. Began to hear my brain sounding like white noise, more depressed and suicidal thoughts. In bed all day. Horrible experience. I had no libido, unable to have orgasm. Doing better after 10 days off this. Not worth it."

• Kat...
• July 27, 2019

For Depression "I was prescribed 20 mg of Lexapro, and I stayed on it for about a month and a half. It was for depression and GAD, and I started my first two weeks on a 10 mg dose. The first day I felt normal, but the next two or three had me feeling absolutely whack. I felt somewhat euphoric *slightly* and energetic, and anything I thought ended up coming out of my mouth - no filter. The next few days I started to feel exhausted, and I would sleep as soon as I got home. Then, about five or six days in, I started having HORRIBLE panic attacks in the middle of my classes, and I kept sobbing like 2/3 times a day. I felt super, super suicidal, and I felt apathetic towards my friends and family. I started just sleeping all the time and almost failed my exams due to the loss of motivation and how the pills made me feel. I'd basically wake up, stare at the wall, cry, sleep."

• Ove...
• November 22, 2008

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "My mom died when I was 4, and last semester I always had anxiety in the background. Now, at 15, spring semester of '08, I had some mild panic attacks and worry, nervousness, sadness, and excessive shyness all day long. This medication is a lifesaver, and I love it. They say 8 weeks for the full effect, and sure, it might rebalance your chemicals in 8 weeks, but give it a chance as it still takes a while after that for you to break out of your shell."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I haven't been on it for very long, but at the moment, I'm neutral. It's better than some stuff I've taken, but it doesn't stop me from getting dangerously low moods on bad days. It's also left me feeling quite detached..."

• Wno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2022

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I am 62 years old, and until the last few months, I had never, ever had a panic attack. I would say I am a situational worrier and get anxious about loss and health issues, but I have never had to take anything for it. In my early 20s, after marrying and getting a home and my parents splitting, I had some anxiety and depression, and I dealt with it, but all these years have passed, and now this. There have been many life events the past 5 years, and perhaps that is what has brought me to this place. My father passing, my brother divorcing my favorite sister-in-law, our teenage son challenging us, a thyroid condition, and a pandemic and more. Our bodies and minds do break down. I started on Lexapro, generic version, two weeks ago, 5 mg. I dreaded it. I am a health freak, ugh! I had tried everything natural before. I feel like crap. All I do is stay in bed and sleep. Anxiety and panic seemed to go the first week, but went to 10 mg (per doctor), and it came back. Scary! Depression not gone. Early!"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Lexapro for severe long-term anxiety and depression. Even though it didn't work on my depression after 5 months of use, I wanted to leave it a positive review, since these drugs have the power to save people's lives. Initially, I experienced basically every side effect possible: nausea, loss of appetite, night sweats, bad vivid dreams, changes to taste, dizziness, short-term memory loss, inability to orgasm, blurred vision in the morning, heart palpitations, headaches, and extreme moments of anxiety to the point of throwing up, extreme depression to the point of having to sleep all day. But you know what - this list of side effects sounds horrible, but they are worth it if you start to feel even a little bit like yourself again. After about a month, the side effects decreased in severity, my anxiety was gone, but it still left me with the inability to orgasm and had no impact on my depression. I've now moved to Cymbalta (SNRI) and will review that in a few months."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

For Depression "Am on my 7th week on escitalopram. 1st 4 weeks on 10mg. Doctor increased me to 15mg for my depression. Seems first two weeks on 15mg was like starting all over. Anxiety and still depression. I guess I need to stick it out for the 8 weeks or more to kick in. Came this far. Not quitting now. Anybody experience same symptoms? Thanks. Mike."

• Smu...
• June 22, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "24-year-old female. I have tried Zoloft in the past and Prozac before I tried Lexapro. Four weeks in on 10 mg, and I didn’t feel it working much for my mood, so I went up to 20 mg. And I slightly feel calmer. I’m on this medication for extreme anxiety and panic disorder. It has helped dramatically, and it’s only been four and a half weeks now. I was crippled from anxiety and scared to go out in public just in case of a panic attack, but now I feel like it’s more manageable. I haven’t experienced severe side effects (thankfully). I don’t experience fatigue and just feel really lazy and a lack of motivation to exercise. But it is so much better than waking up in an absolute panic. It’s amazing how it has helped me. Good luck to anyone trying it."

• SJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "It’s been 2 weeks since I started titrating down Effexor and taking Lexapro. Two super hard weeks and getting worse. Anxiety through the roof. Depression bad. Can’t focus. Can’t sit still. Waiting to hear from the doc but did take an Effexor yesterday and one today again (will take 1/2 Lexapro tonight while waiting to hear from the doc tomorrow). I was depressed on Effexor, but at least I could function. Couldn’t function on Lexapro alone. Don’t know whether I will try another new antidepressant or not. Maybe stick with Effexor and pray I can get better on it in time."

• Jew...
• July 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I’m in my late 50s and started experiencing anxiety attacks and obsessive depressive thoughts. I had panic attacks back in my 30s but thought I was over them. Went to the ER and never felt so terrified. Five full days of outpatient mental health support and the doctor prescribed escitalopram. The first few weeks, I didn’t think it was going to work. They told me sometimes it takes up to six weeks. While it took a while and I took lorazepam when I had a breathing episode, it kicked in and has been a lifesaver. I’m going to therapy and feel like myself again. Still working on depressive thoughts and overthinking. There was some emotional numbness at first, but that went away."

• BAG...
• October 8, 2011

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Lexapro for about 2 weeks, I am still experiencing anxiety and cannot sleep. I am also on Ambien CR to sleep and Clonazepam 0.5 mg. Had really bad anxiety and depression. Have been off work for three weeks. The doctor wants to take me off the Clonazepam and the Ambien slowly and leave me on Lexapro only. I hope from what I have read that the Lexapro will begin to give me more relief in the next week. I want to get back to my life again. I am a very positive and energetic person normally, so this episode has really affected my life. Please tell me that things will get better soon."

• Uni...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 20, 2021

For Depression "I've been on this medication for the past 2 years on and off. My last six months, I have been extremely depressed. I generally started this for anxiety at 10 mg, now I'm at 20 milligrams. I have missed over a month of doses. I'm not in a good headspace. I'm writing this review because today I start my regular dose again, and I will be back with another review in a month. I'm awfully depressed, can't sleep, can't get out of bed, can't eat, don't go outside. My daughter is the only joy in my life and the reason I'm not giving up. So, starting tonight, I will consistently take my medication for the next month and come back with my review. After reading reviews, I'm learning that it takes almost two months to feel the effects, so here I go. Please keep my daughter and me in your prayers, I just need to feel normal again. I used to be so motivated and happy, now I just stare at my phone all night long. I really hope for the best from this medication."

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

For Anxiety "STICK WITH IT. Been on escitalopram for 3 weeks now for depression and anxiety. I had increased anxiety, worsening depression, and several panic attacks, which were so bad I begged for admission. My GP advised me to try and continue, and I did do. The panic attacks have stopped, I do have episodes of increased anxiety, but it's easier to manage. After 10 days, I started with severe nausea, but this is slowly improving. I take it after my evening meal, and most nights I sleep till about 6 AM. The first few hours awake are a struggle with the nausea, but I'm hoping this will pass. I'm not tired throughout the day, and my mood is improving day by day. Fingers crossed the next few weeks will prove positive."

• fro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "It helps with anxiety but actually causes depression for me. Plus, I've gained weight, even when on a starvation-type diet. I'm slowly weaning myself off, down to 2.5 mg a day, next week, I'm stopping completely. I just want to have a clear head instead of feeling like a zombie."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I'm 34, and I had anxiety and OCD my whole life, but it never limited my life, and I always believed those who were limited by such problems were weak. Life came to give me a lesson. After I saw Alzheimer’s in my family, I began to question my sanity, and then all the strategies I had my whole life didn't work. I felt so low. Luckily, I'm not someone who is afraid of drugs or to ask for help, so I almost immediately did. I was put on 10 mg of escitalopram for a week, then 20 mg. I'm now on it for 2 months. The first 2 weeks were worse, and thanks to this website, the feedback of others gave me hope. The first 3 days, I was the most depressed of my life (didn't even want to answer when someone spoke to me). But after 2 weeks, I started to see relief, and now after 2 months, I can finally believe I will have my life back. I recommend having a psychological expert to help, the key is simple but hard: resilience-accepting we are vulnerable and must accept we can't control everything."