Fifteen, depressed, taking 40mg citalopram

Is taking 40mg citalopram every morning safe for a fifteen year old girl, diagnosed with "Moderate Depressive Disorder"?

[meg613]

if thats what you have been prescribed i'm sure its fine, everyone needs different doses !
i take 30mg and i'm 17 and i have friends who are your age and on a lot more medicatoin that us so i think as long as you doc gave it to you that must be what you need.

[Soggymoggy]

40mg is a moderate dose for an out-patient, but I hope you worked up to that level gradually?

All antidepressants are associated with an increase in depressive feelings - and even suicidal feelings - within the first few weeks of treatment. This is particularly noted in young patients, although citalopram is meant to be one of the safer options in that respect which is probably why you have been prescribed it.

Unless you start experiencing side-effects or feeling worse I wouldn't worry about the treatment, although if I were you I might discuss with my doctor whether your depression could be managed with a lower dose - citalopram is nowhere near as addictive as the older AD drugs, but you will still experience side-effects when you come off it. If you DO start to feel worse, or feel suicidal, make an emergency appointment with your doctor AT ONCE.

You are very young and antidepressants are a very easy solution for doctors to prescribe. Have you been offered any alternatives like cognitive behavioural therapy, neurolinguistic programming or even simply seeing a psychologist?  There may be a permanent solution out there (I personally stopped taking ADs altogether after discovering a DIY form of NLP - I simply don't need them any more), and it seems a shame to just throw pills at the problem if other options have not been explored.

Best of luck anyway, and don't be afraid to pester your doctor for alternatives if you don't think this is the best fit.

[dwt7let]

Hi Nelly
I really feel for you being so young and taking this medication, if you feel ok you could
try reducing very very slowly cita my support group are on the web.
I agree with trying CBT or NLP, counselling, these tablets are addictive after two months.
You are only young and you can heal with help, self awareness of what started you taking these tablets and dealing with it with help could lead you to a drug free life.
Good Luck
Love
Lorraine xx