Ashley said: "Citalopram is primarily used to treat the symptoms of depression but can also be prescribed for social anxiety disorder, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may take several weeks of treatment before maximum effects are seen. Ssri medications affect the levels of serotonin in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems. Do not stop using Celexa without first talking to your doctor. Celexa helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a chemical messenger in the brain called serotonin. You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an MAO inhibitor."