lexapro linked to suicidal thoughts?

[MonkeysWife]

I'm on 10mg of Lexapro daily for Generalized anxiety disorder, have been for 2 months.  A few weeks ago I started having depression symptoms (mostly hoplessness / worthlessness).  The past 3 days I have been having suicidal thoughts.  I don't want to hurt myself, but I just keep having these thoughts....it is even interferring in my dreams.

Has anyone else experienced this on Lexapro?  Does anyone have any advice?

[woozy]

I had a similar experience. I took Lexapro for almost a year. After 5 months, I actually cut at my arms with a knife..and had lots of suicidal thoughts that would come and go daily. I was a mess. I had never taken an antidepressant before and had also never thought about suicide so much in all my life. I stopped it and the suicidal ideation subsided after about a month or so. I do still take it for PMS. Only 5 mg though, and only 5-10 days out of the month. I have been much better since I have stopped taking it continously. My guess is, when you're on a pill that is so good at emotionally blunting you, you don't have much experience with emotions on a day to day level. You may even let little things slide because it seems like "no big deal". Then, when things start catching up to you, you become overwhelmed and unable to cope emotionally and (at least this was my experience) you go off the deep end. Also, for some people the medication stops working,or starts effecting them differently. I'm just speculating..but I ended up feeling like a zombie on the stuff. Ironically it works well for me in small doses,taken intermittently. I do have some withdrawal from it after my PMS is through,but it's nothing at all compared to PMS..nothing!
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it's time to get off it..either try something else/or try a new dose, but definitely talk to the doctor.

[boricua42]

I totaly understand what your going through.....first i  was on zoloft but i statrd going crazy with it so i was switched to lezapro...about a week into it i started having suicidal thoughts and actually went through with cutting my wrists.......luckily for me because i was crying so much it couldnt really see what i was doing.

But your not aone..ive been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and i thinki have PTSD..unfortunetly the medicine wasnt working so i imidietly stopped taking it b4 i did something stupid again.

[CNAamyfaye]

I was on Celexa (Celexa and Lexapro are almost the same, but Lexapro is stronger)
for about almost a month and I more depressed than i EVER felt imaginable. I felt the same way, I didnt want to hurt myself or anyone else, but i felt so worthlesss, like life had no meaning anymore, when i shouldnt because i have 2 gorgeous little girls and a husband, so i knew something was wrong. I checked myself into a behavioral health hopsital because i was so afraid and tired of feeling that way, but the only bed they had available was on a drug and alcohol unit which I didn't prefer, and they were going to lock everything away as if i were  a prisoner, which I do understand, but anyways I am on Effexor now almost 2 weeks and feel much better. Please seek a different medication, it tends to get worse over time~!

[mammo]

This can be a very common side effect in these types of drugs.  Do not stop them cold turkey though.  Go back to your doctor and tell him/her what you are experiencing, and allow a professional to advise you on what other medication and/or dosage may be best for you.

[mammo]

You are really not accomplishing anything by taking Lexapro several days a month.  It takes 2-3 weeks for Lexapro to build up in your system to a point where you would feel a difference, it may be having a Placebo effect on you.  It is also not recommended that you start and stop these types of medications like this, you are putting your health at risk.  These drugs are serious, and should only be started, stopped, or changed under the supervision of a doctor.  If anyone is have thoughts of suicide, please see your doctor ASAP.