Karin,   You wrote this a while ago, but this is so close to what I experienced that I had to write.  I could have written your email myself!  Though instead of my parents being ill, my father-in-law died suddenly.  I didn't feel depressed at all - just very anxious.  My psychiatrist, a directory of research and well known psychiatrist in the field of anxiety & health anxiety, was optimistic that an SSRI would work and acted as if it was no big deal to be using an SSRI (medically, healthwise). I did, apprehensively, go on Celexa for 9 months and it helped immensely.  My anxieth decreased signficantly and my physical aches and pains even went away, which I didn't expect!  I weaned myself this summer to get pregnant but after a few months my anxiety came back so I'm considering going back on it (and not getting pregnant) - though this time maybe Lexapro as I think it has even fewer side effects.  Note: it is important to go on and off of Celexa (or any SSRI) VERY gradually.  I did so and had no problems ramping up or down.  Good luck to you and anyone else reading this!   - Laura