HomeAnswersPsychiatryanxietyI started experiencing anxiety, headaches, and panic attacks when I discontinued Escitalopram. Please help.

Why does someone experience anxiety, panic attacks, and headaches after discontinuing Escitalopram?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At March 25, 2023
Reviewed AtMarch 28, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

After I decreased the dose of Escitalopram to 5mg, I started feeling anxious about everything again. I felt anxious about death, and also I had a small headache. I watched a drama for five days, and I liked it, but my mother said it was not interesting. After that, I became quite anxious and lost interest in the drama. And for two days, I felt super anxious and had panic attacks. My stomach hurt so bad, and I could not sleep. After I heard that my sister was going to start a job, the symptoms got worse, and I always felt anxious that my sister was going to work. Our routine and sleeping hours will change, and she cannot spend so much time with me. I feel very anxious, and this is not my first time. My stomach hurts, I do not feel like eating anything, and I do not want to do anything, and I want to cry and also, I am afraid to consult a doctor, or the medicine will have bad side effects. I took Escitalopram for seven months to treat my anxiety, but after the doctor stopped prescribing it, I started to experience anxiety. I restarted my medicine again and stopped it for two days, and I did not know what was wrong with me and what I should do? Please help

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query,

I can understand your situation. You may have mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Although non-pharmacological management exists, you should try to follow the guidelines below to deal with it. It will help you.

  1. It would help if you exercised 30 to 45 minutes daily, at least going for a walk.
  2. You should do meditation for 20 minutes daily. Sit in one place in a comfortable position, and try to concentrate on your normal breathing, do not stop or force yourself to stop your thoughts; just let them be. It will help you to relax.
  3. You should eat healthy home-cooked foods and avoid junk foods.
  4. You must drink enough water.
  5. It would help if you spent quality time with friends and family daily.
  6. It would help if you spent time on creative hobbies like reading good books, writing journals, painting, drawing, and learning new skills or language or musical instruments.
  7. You should take enough seven to eight hours of sleep daily.
  8. It would help if you avoided tobacco or alcohol, or any substance abuse.
  9. You must start your Escitalopram medication and continue for 12 months.

Please follow up for further assistance.

Thank you.

Investigations to be done

I suggest you to take test of complete blood count, random blood sugar, thyroid profile, vitamin B12 and vitamin D3

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi
Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Psychiatry

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