Antidepressants and OCD

Has anyone had experience coming off an antidepressant and how it affects your OCD? I’ve been on antidepressants for years for depression and anxiety and recently made the decision to go off of them. It seems like since I’ve been working off of them, the intrusive thoughts and worries have been increasing. Another time when I previously tried stopping it the thoughts became so bad I was physically ill and ended up in the ER. I’ve seen before that SSRIs/SNRIs can be used too treat OCD, but I’ve never taken them for that purpose. Has anyone else had a similar experience of going off their antidepressant and their OCD symptoms increasing?

Username: tacolocker12tacolocker12

Date posted: 1y ago

Im trying this exact same thing. I was having shit loads of brain zaps, but in between these uncomfortable symptoms i seem to have a higher ability to rationalize and move past intrusive thoughts and sensations.. its definately hard af but just keep pushing through. Be safe as this is not advised to stop any mind altering medication abruptly. I just do these kind of things frequently feel free to message me if u need to talk through it.

Username: alliestevens22alliestevens22

Date posted: 1y ago

most of the time the reason you have these feelings after coming off is because your brain and mental is trying to keep up with the fact that it no longer had to relate on medication. it’s like going sober from drugs, all of sudden you will experience all of these symptoms you never had to deal with because your body is trying to deal with the fact that it’s off the meds you were taking. i wouldn’t personally have recommend going cold turkey off meds bc it can lead to a lot of suicidal ideations… being very very dangerous. i know it might not be your first option but maybe try going back on them and just ease your way off, start taking smaller doses of medication (work with your doctor or psychiatrist with this please!!!) instead of going off on your own. let me know if you need anything :)

Username: breannan20breannan20

Date posted: 1y ago

@alliestevens22 Thank you!! I actually have been working with my psychiatrist and gradually coming down. I’m at the lowest dose, but any time I go from the lowest dose to nothing this happens. It’s discouraging because logically I know it’s the withdraw, but I’m not sure what to do when I’ve been at the lowest dose

Username: alliestevens22alliestevens22

Date posted: 1y ago

@breannan20 is there any way you can take your lowest dose on off days? like take it one day, don’t take it the next, and continue… and then slowly make your breaks longer. one day on, 4 days off… etc. does this make sense?

Username: breannan20breannan20

Date posted: 1y ago

@alliestevens22 It seems like if I don’t take it one day then the symptoms will start later that same day. I’m not sure if that would work. I suppose I could try it! Thank you for the suggestion :)

Username: alliestevens22alliestevens22

Date posted: 1y ago

@breannan20 it will probably be pretty hard at first not gonna lie. just really really try as hard as you can and don’t give up!!!!💜💜

Username: Nanana_lwNanana_lw

Date posted: 1y ago

Yes!!! I took some days off my anti-depressants and it made me feel so ill and made my ocd so awful. This is a common experience I believe it is withdrawal off of a pill that our bodies are used to. Because they are made to fix that chemical imbalance within our brains that we need

Username: SpecklesSpeckles

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

I've been in them for years. And I'll probably need to for life!!

Username: TBdiz89TBdiz89

Date posted: 1y ago

I was on a high dose of citalopram for years. When I finally felt ready to come off them I did slowly. Gradually I stared to get worse again, I didn’t realise it because it was slow but I’ve ended back up on a different SSRI and feel much better. I think I’m going to be on them for life but if that helps me live a normal life I’ll take it over suffering.

Username: N_Smitty90

Date posted: 1y ago

Antidepressants

So my OCD has gotten significantly worse in the last month or so. Constant anxiety and I decided to get antidepressants. I will begin taking them this weekend. I think there’s anyone have any good things to say about them? A couple years ago I got a script for them took one pill and the side effects were pretty hard to deal with so my doctor told me to cut one and a half and take that for a week but I decided not to take them. I think I’m ready to give it another chance. Does anyone else have anxiety about starting medication? Or does anyone have experience dealing with this?

Existential OCD

Username: MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Medication

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well. I’m hoping someone can share their experience with taking SRIs for their OCD and/or depression. Going on SRIs is something I’ve considered off and on before, and it’s hard for me to make a decision (thanks OCD). I know this is something I ultimately have to decide for myself, but am hoping to hear your experiences with brands, side effects, trial and error, overall change (good or bad) etc. ❤️

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 43w ago

Antidepressants & intrusive thoughts

Hi all, I’m planning to start anti depressants for OCD just wondered if anyone has found this effective with intrusive thoughts? I’m scared if once they have worked I go off them and have a relapse?

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