Is it a bad idea to start taking anti-depressants right before exams?

[Arwen]

Specifically citalopram.
Anyone have any experience similar to this?
Do you think it will make it harder to revise and concentrate? Or maybe easier?
I don't know what to do :confused:

I've recently been diagnosed with depression, and have been encouraged to start taking citalopram straight away by my GP and shrink. But i'm really really worried about getting side effects like feeling tired or foggy and not being able to concentrate. I'm already really struggling with concentrating on revising and am really worried about my university exams.
Any help or other peoples experiences is very appreciated!

 

[Brian777]

Hi Arwen, it's difficult to say as medication has a slightly differenteffect on everyone. Usually antidepressants take a week or two to become effective when first started. It may even be that this will help with your concentration and focus.
Did you speak with your doctor about your concern? I haven't taken that particular medication myself. Anyway, hope it works well for you. Good luck with your exams.
Brian

 

[Petal]

I have been on citalopram but was not studying, so have no clue what effect it would have on concentration, citalopram takes 4-6 weeks for full effect, when are your university exams? Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist, they will have the right advice for you best wishes and keep talking to us here. while we might not have all the answers, we do care

 

[Arwen]

Hi Arwen, it's difficult to say as medication has a slightly different effect on everyone. Usually antidepressants take a week or two to become effective when first started. It may even be that this will help with your concentration and focus.
Did you speak with your doctor about your concern? I haven't taken that particular medication myself. Anyway, hope it works well for you. Good luck with your exams.
Brian

Hi Brian, thanks for your reply. I did mention it to my doctor, but she really wanted me to start them straight away, and booked me into an emergency appointment to get them because i said that my thoughts of suicide had increased. I think she is just worried because she thinks i might actually kill myself now, because i told her that it had got worse, but although it sounds strange, and i do obviously still have those thoughts, i don't think that i'm in much more danger at the moment, so i don't feel like its urgent to start taking them. And if they won't even start working yet, I don't really see the point in starting them yet if they're just going to cause me more stress

 

[Arwen]

I have been on citalopram but was not studying, so have no clue what effect it would have on concentration, citalopram takes 4-6 weeks for full effect, when are your university exams? Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist, they will have the right advice for you best wishes and keep talking to us here. while we might not have all the answers, we do care

Hi, thanks for your reply Petal My exams start next week, and only last for 8 days, so obviously I won't see any improvement by then, so i didn't think there would be any point in starting them yet. I think i might email my counsellor and let her know that I won't start them until afterwards and see what she thinks. Thanks

 

[Rockclimbinggirl]

One thing to note is for young people the antidepressants like SSRIs can make suicidal thoughts worst. Just keep an eye on your mood.

 

[Arwen]

One thing to note is for young people the antidepressants like SSRIs can make suicidal thoughts worst. Just keep an eye on your mood.

Thanks, I think I will have to be extra aware of that i think, and try harder to watch out for it. I still find that a bit worrying though to be honest, but thats also why i feel like i should start them when i'm in a more relaxed situation.

 

[Lara_C]

Click on link in my signature for more information : "A major 2016 study in The Lancet concluded that the majority of antidepressants are no better than placebos at relieving the symptoms of major depression in young people." Only Prozac works, according to this study.

 

[Arwen]

Click on link in my signature for more information : "A major 2016 study in The Lancet concluded that the majority of antidepressants are no better than placebos at relieving the symptoms of major depression in young people." Only Prozac works, according to this study.

Oh wow thanks Clair, that's really really interesting. I knew that antidepressants were a bit of a shot in the dark, and no one really knows how they work, but that study was really shocking! I think though that even if it is just a placebo effect, that it is worth a shot, and I'm willing to give anything a try to feel better.

 

[Lara_C]

For anyone else reading this, its important to remember that the Lancet article about the ineffectiveness of antidepressants other than Prozac only applies to "young people". Citalopram (celexa) at the lowest dose worked great for me, and very quickly too.

 

[Jael_9]

I wouldn't. Many meds make worse the concentration. I am taking meds and I can't study well so i dont recommend to others. Each person is a world, I know, but I have met many that have been felt the same.

 

[Lara_C]

They are possibly overused. Some experts have warned that they don't have much positive effect in cases of mild depression and only a portion of severe cases respond. In fact there are concerns that in cases of mild depression, the unwanted effects outweigh any positive ones.