How does citalopram make you feel at first
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Initial Effects of Citalopram on Emotional Processing and Anxiety
Increased Anxiety and Fear Response
Anxiety Exacerbation with Initial Citalopram Use
When starting citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), many patients experience an initial increase in anxiety. This heightened anxiety can be significant enough to lead to early discontinuation of the medication before its therapeutic benefits are realized 12. Research indicates that this initial anxiety may be due to citalopram's effect on the brain's emotional processing centers, particularly the amygdala, which is responsible for fear and anxiety responses .
Enhanced Fear Recognition and Startle Response
Studies have shown that a single dose of citalopram can increase the recognition of fearful facial expressions and amplify the startle response to threats. This suggests that citalopram heightens sensitivity to anxiety-related stimuli early in treatment 23. For instance, healthy subjects given citalopram exhibited a more pronounced startle response to predictable and unpredictable shocks compared to those given a placebo . This heightened response to fear and anxiety cues is a common initial reaction to citalopram.
Emotional Processing Alterations
Amygdala Reactivity
Citalopram has been found to significantly increase amygdala responses to fearful stimuli. This effect is linked to the availability of 5-HT1A receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), which play a crucial role in emotional processing . The increased amygdala reactivity to fearful faces suggests that citalopram initially alters how the brain processes aversive stimuli, potentially contributing to the early increase in anxiety .
Positive Emotional Bias
Interestingly, while citalopram increases sensitivity to negative stimuli, it also appears to create a bias towards positive emotional processing. In one study, participants treated with citalopram showed an attentional bias towards positive words, indicating that some positive effects on emotional processing might be detectable even at the beginning of treatment . This dual effect on emotional processing could be part of the complex initial response to citalopram.
Long-Term Effects on Anxiety
Reduction in Contextual Anxiety
While the initial effects of citalopram can include increased anxiety, longer-term use tends to alleviate anxiety symptoms. After two weeks of treatment, citalopram was found to reduce long-duration startle potentiation in predictable conditions, suggesting a reduction in anticipatory anxiety . This indicates that while citalopram may initially heighten anxiety, it ultimately helps to alleviate it by acting on mechanisms underlying long-duration aversive states .
Conclusion
In summary, the initial use of citalopram can lead to increased anxiety and heightened sensitivity to fear-related stimuli. This is likely due to its effects on the amygdala and emotional processing centers in the brain. However, these initial effects are typically temporary, and with continued use, citalopram can reduce anxiety symptoms and improve emotional processing. Understanding these initial reactions can help patients and healthcare providers manage expectations and improve adherence to treatment.
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