Need help

[Justneedcomfort]

Hello I am 17 years old and I have just been diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety disorder. I've always had anxiety attacks since I was in middle school but now I'm having severe panic and anxiety attacks. And I just don't feel myself anymore. So a doctor put me on med's; Celexa for my depression, Clonidine for my A.D.D, and Klonopine for my panic and anxiety. So far I've been getting better but for some reason this thought keeps coming in my head and starts my anxiety right away. It's like I'm self conscious I'm looking through my eyes. I know it's sounds very strange but that's the only way that I can really explain it. It's like its my first time seeing like this and I'm scaring myself and constantly asking others do you see like this or like that. It's really making my life almost unbearable! Has anyone ever experienced this or can you at least comfort me for advice and/or help me figure out whether this has to do with my depression or my anxiety. Truly appreciate it.

[Justneedcomfort]

Yes it does thank you so much. I'm probably not going to switch medicines or mention it to my doctor yet because he says these things should go away along with my depression in about 6 weeks. I really pray that it does. But depression doesn't last forever right? Because I can't keep living like this everyday.

[ggreg]

Dear Just Need,
Celaxa can occasionally have the side effects you have, a sense of paranoia and  depersonalization.  I can tell you this, the diff antidepressant Zoloft in particular is used to specifically also help with panic disorder and anxiety, so instead of Celaxa, if your doc will switch, try it.  If you do, also consider trying it at a rather low dose for awhile, maybe 100mg daily, split in half and used breakfast & dinner, at least at first.  A lower dose can provide relief from depression just as well as a stronger dose, plus it's good to go easy at first with new drugs.  The lowest dose of an SSRI is what people should take.

I do not know about the side effects of Clonidine, but you can look them up by doing a search online, and check a couple websites for side effects.  But I do think it's your antidepressant, Celaxa, causing your weird feelings.  So, anyhow, it won't hurt to ask your psych to switch you to a diff antidepressant... one person can do really well with one drug, and another will not.  For example, I went on Lexapro once, I HATED it, got off it and back to my Zoloft, and I was fine and very relieved.  

A rule of thumb is that medicines that docs give out are very powerful, and once in awhile, their first choice doesn't work out, so it's perfectly okay to make a new appointment and simply talk it over with them, ask them if you can please try something different, so you can be rid of your strange sensations.   Hope this helps a little bit.  Let us know!
Gail