[Lady_Chaos]

Hi all.

I'm studying Psychology through a distance learning program, but have been finding it difficult to do any studying, or write assignments since i started taking Citalopram (Celexa) a few months ago. I feel constantly tired (no change there), but also i can't concentrate on my work because my mind is racing, and i've been dissociating a lot more than before i was on these meds.

Does anyone have any advice on what i can do to help focus my mind on the task at hand?

Please, thanks.

[(JD)]

ugh. Since you've been on it a few months, I would say there isn't anything to change these side effects but to change medications.
Talk with your doctor and explain how these are not acceptable side effects (inability to concentrate and lethargy.) If the reasons you're taking the celexa are more important, you can forget studying imo.

My thought is to try a different medication.

[Lady_Chaos]

Thanks guys, i am due to see the doctor again this week. I will mention it to her and see what she suggests.

[Perna]

Do you have an online classroom where questions are posted by the teacher or there's any discussion of the material? I got an online degree and often found it easier to "study" by reading and replying in the classroom, just letting my mind go wherever it would take me based on the material I found there. It was easier for me to "study" and write assignments getting ideas from what I'd read and write there, kind of like one does here, replying to posts that interest one or speak to one's own issues?

Definitely talk to your doctor though, see if she can help too with a better med or different dose, etc.

[Lady_Chaos]

So i finished taking the Citalopram 6 days ago, and wow, concentration is back, but so is the moodiness, incredibly short temper, and violent thoughts... Still waiting on the panic attacks, but i'm sure they'll re-appear sooner or later.

Still not got around to making a docs appointment being as i'm the queen of procrastination, and phonecalls aren't exactly my favourite thing.

Shiiiiiiiiit (pardon my french).

Maybe you should make an extra effort to make that call?

Originally Posted by Lady_Chaos

So i finished taking the Citalopram 6 days ago, and wow, concentration is back, but so is the moodiness, incredibly short temper, and violent thoughts... Still waiting on the panic attacks, but i'm sure they'll re-appear sooner or later.

Still not got around to making a docs appointment being as i'm the queen of procrastination, and phonecalls aren't exactly my favourite thing.

Shiiiiiiiiit (pardon my french).

So you went of your meds without talking to your pdoc about it? Hmm. Bad idea. You need to make that phone call NOW.

[Lady_Chaos]

Not sure what a "pdoc" is but i see my GP for my meds. She would let me come off them if i wanted, but she would have insisted on coming off them gradually, which would mean i feel like crap for a few weeks instead of a few days.

So now that i'm all med-free i am ready to start something new, which, hopefully wont affect my concentration.. *fingers crossed* aaaaaaaand i just made the call. Going in on friday.

You might want to consider having your GP refer you to a psychiatrist.

[Lady_Chaos]

*sigh* It would be nice... But mental health care where i live is scarce, i believe we have something silly like 2 or 3 psychiatrists to serve a population of around 65,000! The wait to see a psych is usually a few months!

If i was suicidal, then i think she would consider referring me. But as i am at the moment, i'm not really a danger to anyone. When i'm working again i intend to see another private therapist, it's a very expensive way of doing it but at least i can see them once a week not once every few months!

Thanks anyway.

May your progress be expeditious and meaningful.

How are you doing, Lady Chaos?

[Lady_Chaos]

Pretty good, thanks. The doc is trying me on sertraline (zoloft). It hasn't started working just yet, but just being off the citalopram and having my concentration back is great!

Good to hear. Hope it helps.