Medication Questions

Although I’m in “recovery” for my OCD, I’ve been dealing with intrusive thoughts lately and a lot of anxiety and depression, which is not something I think I would’ve ever let myself admit before. My life situation is 100x more stressful now than when my OCD was at its peak, and although my obsessions and compulsions are not running my life anymore, I also realize I’m in a rut that I haven’t been able to get out of in months. I lost my job last June, and have not been able to find work in a year… I moved out of my apartment and am living with my toxic/narcissistic parents again, and I barely have a social life anymore due to living so far away from my friends and trying to be extremely frugal about money. I’m really struggling with feeling frozen right now and not being about to move my life forward. I’m considering medication for the first time and wanted to know if anyone has any experience with low symptom anxiety/depression meds or SSRI’s in general. what’s been your experience and has it helped both your anxiety and OCD?

Nica

Date posted: 1y

Mental illnesses will act up more when you are stressed out. What can you do to reduce the stress? If it’s more of a ride it out, what coping mechanisms do you have to get through this hard time? You might need to go back to ERP therapy for a check in.

RK_

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

@Nica Yes, totally, I know that I’m more susceptible to fall back into my OCD at this time. I should’ve mentioned in the original post that I’m still currently in weekly therapy with a trauma therapist, and I practice my ERP’s multiple times per week, and I meditate daily with breathing exercises throughout the day. I know how I feel when I’m doing everything within my power to manage my stress and I’ve noticed the past 6-8 months have been different. Harder to get out of the rut and depressive feelings I feel. That’s why I’m looking into medication now.

Nica

Date posted: 1y

@RK_ That’s good! Just ride the OCD wave.

L_e_d

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 41w

The combination of meds + ERP is the gold standard for treating OCD. For me, Zoloft really helps. However, it is only supposed to bring your brain chemistry up to a slightly more calm and happy baseline so you are able to use your ERP techniques more easily and quickly when OCD thoughts come up. It’s not a magic fix. It sounds like you are going through some major life changes, and it’s good you acknowledge that that is playing a big part in the stress and OCD. It’s very normal for OCD to be triggered during those life changes and even hormonal changes (mine fluctuates with my cycle). I know you are needing to be frugal with money, but I highly recommend finding some sort of hobby or employment while you’re looking for a full time job. In life, we need to work and have problems to solve (preferably good problems like ones at work that can be solved and provide satisfaction). Our bodies also really need movement and sunlight. Try going for a walk at least once a day and creating a good routine. All of those things combined are needed for a healthy balanced mind and body! No one out there can live their healthiest life without some version of those things. You are just in a hard season right now. The one constant is that things always change! Bet on yourself, you will get through this like you always have, and check out some small life changes like meds, exercise, and a hobby/work.

lemon tears

Date posted: 25w

Looking for insight on OCD/depression medications

(25f) Before I was diagnosed with OCD I tried Lexapro (wasn’t bad but wasn’t great) and Citalopram (partially think it was a part of what caused me to develop severe anxiety that ignited my once not so active OCD.) After diagnosis tried Effexor and didn’t see an improvement. Was on Adderall for a good amount of my life and mentally did good on it, stopped about 2 years ago because the physical side effects started to become more noticeable. Maybe I go back on Adderall? Maybe SSRI’s and I aren’t a great fit? Anyone taking other medications that helped?

eb123456789

Date posted: 21w

Medication Symptom Management

This is kind of a weird question, but I recently increased my SSRI dosage and have experienced tremendous relief. It has quieted my intrusive thoughts so much and my compulsions are no longer as all-consuming. However, I don’t want to be on this high of a dosage forever and know that medication alone shouldn’t be my only fix. I’m seeing a new psychiatrist on Wednesday and am wondering if the recent decrease in frequency of my symptoms will be a bar to my getting ocd treatment? In other words, if in this present moment I’m doing better, but up until a few days ago my compulsions were taking up pretty much every moment of my waking day, will I still be classified as having ocd? I start getting worried when I feel better that I don’t actually have ocd and just use it as a defense mechanism to avoid consequences of my actions/I’m secretly a terrible person

sarah.ek

Date posted: 13w

Meds for OCD + Depression (Burnout), mood swings

As my current mental health has definitely reached a new low, I will probably soon start with medication. However, since I am actually somewhat afraid of the typical side effects of antidepressants and mood-stabilizers, I wanted to ask anyone who is or has been taking medication for OCD and or depression (and mood-swings). I recently got also diagnosed with depression (I’ll be further tested for burnout) and I also suffer from pretty intense mood swings and anxiety, both really draining the last bit of energy that I currently have. You can honestly be as specific and descriptive as you want since I don’t know any people in my personal life that take any medication for their mental health and I’m genuinely curious about side effects, how long the different meds take to kick in, etc. The only meds I’m familiar with are beta blockers, specifically bisoprolol but I want to switch to propranolol.

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