Dear Rocket_Grrrl:

You are welcome. What you described is indeed terrible insomnia: “I suffer terrible insomnia… all night… often- sometimes several times a week- and it makes it really hard for me to maintain a job and other commitments which make life worth living… I’ve completely worn out my brain with all of my worrying at night“.

“I am on citalopram 30mg as prescribed by my GP“-  the reason general practitioners prescribe psychiatric medications is that (from what I read) there aren’t enough psychiatrists (physicians who specialize in mental disorders) to see all the many patients who suffer from mental disorders. Your GP prescribed citalopram 30 mg per day (the maximum dose is 40 mg), an anti-depressant of the SSRI type.

I took two SSRI anti-depressants myself for years. They were prescribed to me first, by one psychiatrist, then years later, by another psychiatrist. The second (I’ll refer to him as Dr. V) was much more competent and responsible than the first.  Dr. V worked closely with a psychotherapist I saw at the same time. It is very important that the professionals who treat you communicate with each other and work as a team for your benefit!

The first psychiatrist prescribed an SSRI anti-depressant (Sertraline) that has a stimulating effect (like coffee) and therefore it was prescribed for me to take in the mornings. Dr. V prescribed an SSRI anti-depressant (Fluvoxamine) that does not have a stimulating effect, but instead, it has a drowsy effect, so it was prescribed for me to take at night. I wonder if taking Fluvoxamine may help you with your insomnia: something you may want to ask a competent psychiatrist.

Also, Dr. V prescribed for me more than one type of psychiatric medication. You may need more than then an anti-depressant for your situation as well: something that you may want to ask a competent psychiatrist (or a competent GP, if a psychiatrist is not available to you).

anita