Citalopram and Lack of Motivation?

Twisterella87 · #1 7th February 2013, 15:34

I have been on Citalopram for several years now and I find it has helped to reduce my depression by keeping my moods at a calm and steady level. I feel it has also helped to decrease the anxiety and paranoia I used to face when it came to leaving the house and being around other people. Despite these few benefits though, I still have not overcome my social anxiety to the extent that I cannot make friends with people in the real world. I've always found it close to impossible in approaching others and making conversation...there has always been this sense of awkwardness and fear of rejection and what others may think of me. Citalopram and CBT have not been much help on this level. I do not expect them to be a miracle cure for most people but I really hoped I would gain more from taking medication. I am starting to think it is gradually having a negative effect on me and my daily life and I do not know what to do.

My current dosage of citalopram is 40mg and it has been this amount for a long time. I've not been back to the doctor for a review for ages. I know I should have kept regular visits to the surgery but I felt it was not necessary. There was never much change in the effects - I have just always maintained a steady level of mood - I don't have as many panic attacks and angry outbursts as I used to. I still get hit by emotion and cry though.

For months now, I have been feeling a severe lack of motivation in doing things. I have lost interest in doing activities I used to enjoy like reading and putting on records. I never wish to leave the house unless necessary and spend all day in my bed feeling like a lazy idiot. It's the likes of having no partner, friends or a job that leaves me feeling particularly bad.

The one time I got enthusiastic about something recently was for a traineeship. I told myself I had a good chance in getting the position and eagerly awaited in anticipation to hear if I had got to the interview stage. Unfortunately, I was not selected and I felt really upset and disappointed. I had really been enthused about the position and it was all I had on my mind over Christmas and January. I told myself it would be a new start and it would mean me locating to my favourite city and gaining experience in a specialist subject area I would like to get into. After this great disappointment, it has made me sink even more into a miserable state. I believe it will be a miracle if I ever manage to get a job - it takes a lot of effort and courage on my part to even apply for a job so to get countless rejections makes me think "what is the point?"

I am writing this whilst sitting in my bed of the afternoon. I've been here all day and I feel a waste of space. I am actually meant to be doing Maths revision for an exam next week but I just find it so hard to get started on things and I lack the energy and motivation to even try doing a task I won't enjoy. I don't like Maths and only doing it to improve my employment prospects. Like that would help at all...

Is anybody else here a long-term user of Citalopram? How do you feel it has affected your daily life? Am I alone in this awful lack of motivation and spiral of unhealthy negativity? I think it is best I book a review at the doctors tomorrow. Perhaps I should see about changing the type of medication and asking to be referred to a psychiatrist. I think I will be a near zombie if my dosage was increased.

Between The Bars · #2 7th February 2013, 21:59

I'm unmotivated most days, but i'm not on Citalopram, i think it's pregabalin/lyrica that makes me feel that way!

bump (maybe someone else can give you advice

)

Lucky_13 · #3 8th February 2013, 12:24

I used to be on Citalopram (40mg).. I took it for about 2-3 years and found it gradually had more of a negative effect on me. It got to the point where I felt really tired all the time. I used to sleep ok at night but would still be falling asleep again by late morning. It took all my energy out of me and made me lose motivation - how could I do things when I spent most of my time asleep?! When I came off it it changed really quickly - I got my energy back and those around me noticed instantly. They had thought I was being lazy but recognised the effect the Citalopram had on me. I've since started other SSRI medication that hasn't had the same effect.

Everyone reacts differently to medication and I think it's really hard to find the right one and the right dose that you get the balance of positive/negative effects.

Good luck in getting it sorted!

peanuts7 · #4 12th February 2013, 23:03

I've been on it since October and I'm so unmotivated it's unreal. I miss whole weeks of uni and fall asleep in everything that I attend. This last month or so has been tough, i just don't feel interested in anything anymore. I can't focus and I actually am starting to feel really unhappy again.

peanuts7 · #5 12th February 2013, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-2 Schneider

^ I don't work or study so i can live with being a zombie but that's no good when you need to get stuff done.
You should go back to the doctor,explain and see what else is available that will allow you to function.

I know I need to, but I feel like I'd be criticising the doctors judgement which I'm really nervous to do :/

peanuts7 · #6 13th February 2013, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-2 Schneider

No they don't see it like that,a doctor relies on patient feedback when it comes to meds as we all get varying degrees of benefit or not.
Make the appointment,tell them what you wrote here and they will try you on something else or a smaller dose.

EDIT: In the meantime i'd suggest you maybe cut your dose down if possible but i'm not a doctor so i may get bollocked for suggesting that :/

thanks for the advice, appreciate it

rocco · #7 13th February 2013, 16:00

I get a bit of lack of motivation from citalopram, been on 20mg a day for a month and a bit now. While it definately takes away a bit of your get up and go and motivation, i can usually get by with a bit of willpower and mind over matter thinking. I do have the odd day though where i really cant force myself to get out of my bed in the morning and end up sleeping way too late. The worst side effects of these drugs occur in men though only it seems, so think yourself a bit lucky.

Most side effects disappear over time as your body adapts to the new chemicals you are putting in your body and head especially. Once the drugs fully change your brain chemistry the way theyre designed to, side effects will subside, or you will just be used to them and not even notice. The only bad point is that if you are on SSRIs long enough to change your brain chemistry properly then when you come off you are going to have to adapt again to not having the chemicals in your system...