vivid dreams whilst taking antidepressants

[black bunny]

I've been taking antidepressants for several years now. I'm currently taking Citaprolam 10mg daily, and I feel fine, no probs. I've now accepted that I'll be taking them indefinitely, (as I've weaned off them so many times and the depression always comes back.) It does not worry me.
Anyway, my question is... does anyone else taking ADs have vivid, illogical and just downright wierd dreams as I do, every night? Why does it happen? They don't frighten or disturb me, in fact they can be amusing, but I just wondered if I was the only one.
Now everyone's going to answer that they don't dream like this, and then I WILL feel wierd!

[Suzannew]

I took the anti-depressant FLUOXETINE for about 3 months. When I wasn't suffering from insomnia I had the most horrendous nightmares. At work I started to notice my work suffering as I was losing my memory. Not a good experience for me although I have seen excellent improvement particularly in a close friend with severe post-natal depression and she did not have the side affects I had.

[TheMan]

Hi b b

The wife of a good friend of mine, told me that whilst he was on an anti-depressant tablet (acting as a painkiller - not for what it is prescribed) he talked in his sleep, something he had never done before. In fact she even had conversations with him, and found it quite amusing as he seemed very sure (whilst in the dreaming state) that he was talking to someone else!! He would even remember the dream(s) and said the following day that it was more vivid than dreams he had had before taking these tablets.

So, I hope that this reassures you that it is most probably the medication thats causing you to have these dreams.
As long as you can laugh about it and accept that this is a possible side-effect then that in itself is a good thing>

Wish you well, xXx

[Kay]

black bunny, Its definately the Ad thats causing the weird dreams. All SSRI's such as Citalopram,Fluoxetine aka Prozac, Cipramil, Sertraline/Zoloft and Seroxat/Paxil/Paroxetine cause patients to have vivid dreams many related to their loved ones! Some are weird but ok whilst others can be very upsetting and violent. With most of these SSRI's weaning must be slow and if possible use the liquid version. This allows the patient to use a plastic syringe for lower drops in reduction. Kay. x