Help PLEASE

[moconnell]

I got put on a medication for anxiety yesterday. it is called citalopram. i am very anxious about taking new mediucation in fear that i will have the worst side effects mentioned in the panflet they give you with it. i no theres a chance of it happining but i want to be reassured that it is safe for me to take...all i want is to lead a "normal" life again...please help

[Jaquta]

Often what we fear, we create.
Your doctor would have weighed up the benefit of you taking it versus not taking it.  Your doctor would only have prescribed it if they thought it would be of use to you or in your best interest.
Anxiety can be extremely debilitating.  
I like Paxiled's idea of psychotherapy.  This, I think, is the most effective long-term solution.

I think it is unlikely that you will experience all the negative side-effects from the med.  I expect you will experience some side-effects but I also think that you will be able to manage these.
If you have any concerns discuss these with your doctor.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You have already received the best advice from  Jaquta and Paxiled....nothing to add.

[Paxiled]

The question is, did you try therapy and relaxation techniques first?  And how much is your life disrupted?  If it isn't working out, then medication can help; if you're coping then you have time to try other things like therapy first.  It's your call.  As to the side effects, nobody knows whether you'll get any of them or all of them. It's trial and error.  Some swim through, some don't.  You're the only you, so nobody can answer that for you.