AboutJurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychologist Expertise I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition.
I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.
I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”.
I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems.
Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at:
Degrees & Certifications:
BA (Psychology) Sydney University and Post Grad Dipl Clin Nutr
Web page:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Experience
Organizations Editor of the Hypoglycemic health Association of Australia
web site;
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Publications Author of the book:
"Getting off the Hook", It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.
Education/Credentials Graduated in Psychology at Sydney University and Post Grad Dipl In Clinical Nutrition and Psychotherapy
Question Hello,
I have been taking Citalopram 20mg since Mai 2005. I was in a very stressful phase (finishing uni, coming back from overseas and having to leave behind a new love there and so on..) and felt anxious and tense all the time and decided to get help asap in order to be able to study.
I finished my studies, I recently moved to live with my boyfriend, so things have cleared up and I started reducing from 20gm to 10mg for about 8 weeks and then I took 5mg for 3 weeks (everything like my doctor told me).
But since I have been completely off it, I noticed weird symptoms. First, I was freezing and felt a bit "out of it", I have been feeling really weak and "flu-like" for a few days now, sometimes dizzy, a little anxious, no appetite and my mood is very irritable. I even had a day of crying spells, which is not really like me.
So my normal explanation would be that these are all withdrawal symptoms. But is this really possible, depsite reducing it so slowly and carefully?
But it doens't feel like my "original illness" coming back. I haven't had any of these symptoms before.
But what does it depend on whether s.o. has withdrawal symptoms or not?
how long will it approximately last? I really don't want to go back on the medication again, cause I feel strong enough now to be without it.
It would already help me if i knew that these are all symptoms that will go away and that there is a
"logical" explanation for it...
thank you very much,
dana
Answer Hello dana,
The logical explanation of your symptoms are that although you may think these symptoms are due to stress and life situations, the reality is that they are biological in nature.
Most people with anxiety and/or depression have hypoglycemia, that the drugs may have masked. Now coming off the medication may reactivate your hypoglycemia, and you can treat this without recourse to drugs by going on a hypoglycemic diet. You can test yourself for hypoglycemia with the NBI.
The above articles should equip you with enough information to help yourself by going on a Hypoglycemic diet.
Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr.
Author of "Getting off the Hook" (Google Book Search)
For more free articles
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au