Celexa for obsessive thoughts vs natural remedies

mrsroddy28
mrsroddy28 Posts: 21
edited March 3 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey!

I started on citalopram February-May of this year for anxiety(mostly related towards obsession towards food). I did notice that it helped some but decided to go off of it because I started feeling guilty about taking it and didn't want it have to rely on it. I did ok without it for a few months, and just started back on it about a month ago due to extreme stress at my job. I am now really interested in doing more of a natural remedy for anxiety and stress. Any ideas??

Most of my anxiety and obsession comes from thinking and stressing about food. I experienced eating disorders on and off for years so this has still been something I am really having a hard time getting past no matter what.

Any advice is appreciated!

Replies

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,149 Member
    Natural remedy for stress = exercise
  • mrsroddy28
    mrsroddy28 Posts: 21
    Exercise does help! But it'd also anxiety from obsessive thoughts
  • Maitria
    Maitria Posts: 439 Member
    I have never found anything helpful for my own obsessive anxiety except for high doses of SSRI's. There's no more reason to feel guilty for taking something for a legit medical reason than for wearing glasses. Glasses don't give you super vision, and your SSRI isn't cheating everyone else. It won't and can't make life always wonderful. It puts you back on the same playing field as everyone else in the game (best case scenario.)
  • MagicalGiraffe
    MagicalGiraffe Posts: 102 Member
    Have you considered talk therapy? I've been taking citalopram after developing GAD in December, but it was more to tackle a constant crushing feeling in my chest, to tackle the panic attacks and to sort out my insomnia. I haven't started talk therapy yet either as I want to see how I am after my university work is out of the way (end of this month) but I see medication as a quick fix for the more physiological issues until you want to actually get into the root of your problem.
  • Maitria
    Maitria Posts: 439 Member
    Also, keep in mind that some of the "natural" remedies are prescribed in some places and some have been found to be risky medically. To me, that makes them equivalent to the pharmaceuticals. Chamomile tea and valerian root are unlikely to help you with obsessive anxiety if you truly have obsessive anxiety. They can be great soothers, but they probably won't be powerful enough to help on a long-term basis. Powerful anti-anxiety "naturals" run the risk of being kind of dopey or of medical illness.

    Please know that I say this as someone who values a holistic approach to health and has tried just about everything with the exception of kava kava. There is no amount of my own or someone else's judgment that could make me go back to the way I used to feel. No one else has to live my life, and as far as I know, it's the only one I get. These meds make life livable for me.

    (I also value therapy. If it's enough, that's great. Truly. It's not enough for everyone.)
  • Shellz31
    Shellz31 Posts: 214 Member
    Everyone is different. Some people need SSRIs. There is nothing wrong with that. No reason to feel guilty. I successfully got off Celexa with cognitive behavioral therapy. Some prefer talk therapy. Whether you stay on the medication or not, THERAPY is very important to teach you alternative coping mechanisms. If you don't think you can afford it, I went to a local university and got therapy from a Psychology student that was much cheaper. If it's not working, don't be afraid to ask for a new kind of therapy or a new therapist. It changed my life. Really. I look back on how I was 5 years ago and have trouble even identifying with the emotions I had then.

    I wouldn't rely on natural remedies to fix the problem. There are some that may temporarily relax you, but they're not a long-term solution.
  • CINDYRN33
    CINDYRN33 Posts: 148 Member
    I take Paxil, for anxiety, no reason to feel guilty! It makes my ocd so much easier to cope with! Exercise helps a lot but nothing like the Paxil has.
  • Meerataila
    Meerataila Posts: 1,885 Member
    One thing jumps out at me: Your brain is telling you get a less stressful job, so unless it's paying very well or you love it very much, listen to your brain.
  • mrsroddy28
    mrsroddy28 Posts: 21
    Haha yes, I am! Starting a new job next month ;)
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