Hi everyone, does anyone use xanax (Alprazolam to be exact) to reduce the anxiety OCD gives you? I’m diagnosed with generalised anxiety so I’m quite familiar with this treatment but it’s the first time I’m using it for something "different". I don’t know what to expect. I took one pill (0,25mg) this morning but it only helped a little bit so I was wondering if taking one more will help me a bit more or if it’s just pointless? Can’t see my therapist until september so that’s why I’m trying to medicate myself for now.

Thank you for your answers. One doesn’t totally work when my anxiety is sky rocking so I’m a bit stuck but it’s the first time I’m using it for (what I know now is) OCD. And I can’t smoke weed, I live in France and it’s illegal. But don’t worry, I’ve had my treatment for a few years now and I normally only take it when there’s an emergency, which is what I’m experiencing right now as I don’t have access to medical care (I’m abroad for the moment). But thank you for your concern!

Don’t take another one right away ... when I used Xanax it really numbed me with just one but everyone is different if you take another one it may give you low blood pressure and that’s no bueno

It makes me so mad when people tell me to just smoke a joint. No. It’s illegal, so you want me to get arrested? I don’t live in Colorado or California where it’s legal. Xanax has antidepressant properties as well and I suffer with clinical depression. I have been to countless therapists and psychiatrists. Mental health professionals don’t have a cure for OCD. there’s a new drug called LUVOX which is supposed to treat it. I tried that drug and had to get off my Prozac and Xanax in order to take the Luvox. The withdrawal was too much. I’m sticking with the tried and true. Sadly Prozac numbs me a little too much but I can’t live without an antidepressant. OCD is a neurological disorder, it’s also biological so it’s inherited. It’s not your fault you have this. You are not alone. I wouldn’t wish OCD on my worst enemy.

Please please please find other ways! I promise you it’s not worth it! It leads down a dark road that’s extremely hard to get away from. I’m 27 and used Xanax all through college to deal with panic attacks. I kept having to up my dose and ended up becoming extremely addicted. It changes your personality and makes things in your life seem so dull. I would highly recommend avoiding the drug. Try smoking weed...even if it gives you anxiety in the beginning if you continue to use it the anxiety goes away. It helped me to deal with anxiety in every day life because it really made me question the way I think. It helped me to realize how absurd many of my ways of thinking were. I don’t think you can really change your thoughts but you can change your way of thinking if that makes sense. Like if you don’t even let your mind go into certain places that you know lead to bad thoughts you can avoid the thoughts. It’s taken a lot of time, practice, meditation, therapy and much more but I promise it’s the right way to do it and avoid the evil pills!

Xanax or alprazolam (generic) is the only medication that helps my OCD. I’m severe. I will have a violent panic attack if my contamination rules are not able to control because of who im with and they don’t like my “OCD rules”. I have frequent panic attacks. I have a psychiatrist. I have been in therapy for almost a decade. I am suffering. Xanax is the only relief. I take 1mg and I’ve been taking it since 2012 and never built up a tolerance despite taking it daily. I may be rare. Most build a tolerance.