SSRIs to Treat Anxiety and Depression

            When I told my doctor I felt depressed and was having constant anxiety, she asked me a few questions. “How often do you feel anxious? How often do you feel depressed? Have you thought about committing suicide? Do you get panic attacks? How often? What happens to you when you think you’re having a panic attack?” After giving her some brief answers to these heavy questions, she prescribed me a low dose of Citalopram and sent me on my way. My mother and I have the same doctor, so she suggested Citalopram because it had worked to help my mom’s depression.

However she did not explain to me how this medication was meant to work or what it was. After doing my own research I learned that Citalopram is an SSRI, a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. They primarily affect the neurotransmitter serotonin to boost mood. It is an antidepressant that is taken daily, but some SSRIs can be taken weekly. While they do still have side effects, SSRI’s have shown to have less side effects than other medications that are used to treat depression and anxiety. In addition to this they are not an addictive medication because their intended results do not occur immediately after taking the drug, but work over time. Because they have less side effects SSRIs are very popular and often the first antidepressant doctors prescribe. 

Citalopram didn’t work for me, as each type of medication affects people differently, but I am on a different SSRI now that has lowered my anxiety and improved my mood in general. In addition to therapy this medication has helped me and I am thankful that I found a treatment that works for me. There are many other types of medication used to treat anxiety and depression, like Benzodiazepines, which I will talk about in my next post.