I got prescribed Zoloft by an online app. I took one and my anxiety went away for the day, but so did my OCD thoughts. I couldn’t overthink while conversing with my family or overanalyze a movie I was watching (and relate it obsessively and emotionally back to myself) which felt so relaxing, but it dulled my emotions to the point I felt detached from the people I loved. When the first dose wore off, my OCD thoughts flooded back in, trying to cause panic and I recognized them since they were gone. Now I don’t know what to do. I don’t like dulling my emotions with the medication, but I hate the OCD thoughts. I’m also scared of never having in-depth thoughts if I continue to take them. Does anyone have an opinion on using anti-anxiety meds for OCD?

Same here I got off of mine and I regret it immensely

Thank you I’m on the lowest dosage 😂

I’m not listening to negative stories, but actually latest studies say that it only takes one pill to do permanent changes to the brain and noticeable anxiety effects take place within the first place, whereas depression symptoms take 4-6 weeks. It wasn’t a placebo. I also had vision changes. It could be a side effect however. I appreciate the insight.

@Jayjay456 Within the first week*

Thank you for your insight. Did you feel you returned to your previous state? My concern is that when doctors say “stay one for six months to feel the full effects” they mean stay on for a long time to feel like I’m always on the drug. While I loved the lack of anxious feeling, I did not like not being able to have deeper thoughts (which may just be my OCD 🙁). It doesn’t feel like my pensive self.

@Jayjay456 Erm am not sure you no it took few months to feel better than I was but I am slowly realising that overthinking things are a problem I’m quite early on my ocd journey just this past year I’ve had enough and started trying to do something about it but if you feel good on meds it’s your choice I exercise and meditate that’s my medication and a think if I didn’t do that I would be a lot worse

@Jayjay456 You have to accept that if you do truly have OCD, it is chronic. You may be on medication long term. Unfortunately, This isn’t a broken arm, or a pulled hamstring. You have to find the one right for you. That may not be Zoloft, but don’t already try thinking about an exit strategy to get off them. Go through the threads here and read the horror stories of stopping.

@Anonymous Right! Thank you! Oh the OCD is definitely bad. The thoughts have always effected my daily goals for years. They spiral and I do something wrong like take my shake at the wrong time, and I throwaway my whole day - not even emotionally, just compulsively. I do avoidance too. Unlike my mother, my OCD doesn’t even make me organized. It just sends me into depression. . The pill was prescribed to me for depression, a little too easily of a prescription to get from the doctor. I didn’t feel depression lift, but it cured my anxiety, and tamed those intrusive thoughts; then felt them return, which is how I got diagnosed with OCD. . I like being analytical and I definitely like having feelings. On the pill I felt distant from my daughter. But wow it gets in my way. . I also have 4 autistic siblings, 1 autistic parent (his father was autistic, and his grandfather was OCD) and 1 OCD parent. I’m not exaggerating either. They are severe and diagnosed. My priority is to achieve my goals but I am not sure what is my pensive personality and what is my compulsion or even, stimming behaviors. . I appreciate the interaction! Thank you! This is new for me to navigate.

@Leepeace Thank you! I’m not sure the meds are the answer either. They relieved the anxiety and made my thoughts slower and simpler, but I felt drugged for sure. I always knew I had a depression from not getting things done exactly how I wanted them too, but didn’t realize that intrusive and compulsive thoughts were part of OCD until this year as well. I spoke to my father today who has Autism and he recommended meditation like yourself. I am concerned the doctor who prescribed the Zoloft didn’t do so for OCD anyway, he did so for depression and a separate one did the OCD. If Autism runs in my family, I don’t know how comfortable I am supressing my analytical process and may need to resort to meditation anyway.

And thank you for everybody’s personal experiences! It means a lot!