OCD + Medication

Been prescribed SSRIs (sertraline) to try and help with the OCD. I know it's serotonin that plays a huge part in the OCD when it's at it's worst, so this is definitely the answer. Only problem is if I know that my OCD knows it too, and so I need certainty that the compulsions I'm stuck on can still be completed after taking the medication. Yes, I know how stupid that sounds. How do you overcome that barrier and take the medication? There are compulsions I feel I need to do because of how debilitating they can be - if I alter my brain chemistry there will always be doubt so I can never fully complete them (this is the OCD perspective). It just feels like when I start I can't go back.

Dreyco Jones

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 46w

I started SSRIs (prozac) about two months ago. I was having the exact same obsessions about making some kind of mistake. For me I’ve just had to take control of my own mind and just take the medication, I even had a terrible panic attack but I pushed through. If you’ve been officially diagnosed with ocd then I promise you there is nothing but great things coming your way. Prozac has changed my life honestly and everything is falling into place now. Obviously this is my own experience and I believe Prozac has been fantastic but trust yourself and be confident that even if something happens you’ll still get through it. Like you were saying “the ocd knows” so stop feeding it and form positive habits when having distressing thoughts. Hope this helps. You got this!🦍

Callum

Date posted: 46w

Thanks man, happy to hear its working well for you. What's changed specifically about how your mind works since you started taking it?

Dreyco Jones

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 46w

@Callum I’ve had way more energy and motivation. Now when I wake up I’m genuinely excited about getting to live another day. Because of those things it’s formed better habits which has stopped a large amount of my ocd symptoms. I also have a lot less anxiety and I feel much more confident and comfortable in not only social situations but by myself. Now I have had minor side effects like not being able to fall right asleep or stay asleep as well as having minor visual distortion at night (because SSRIs are psychoactive)but now that I’ve been on it for a little bit my body has started to adjust and I’m doing great.

Callum

Date posted: 46w

@Dreyco Jones I sleep terribly already haha so no worries there. Thanks for sharing though, really good hearing how the side effects were minor for you. Think that was maybe a bit of a mental barrier aswell for me.

Dreyco Jones

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 46w

@Callum Haha I never slept well either but I sleep pretty good now. I’ve done a good bit of research on SSRIs and it’s pretty normal to have minor side effects so don’t worry too much. I’ve always been afraid of medication and had to triple check doses and the time that I took them but I’ve had to just take control and break that barrier because I was tired of my mind not being my own. Not sure if you’re religious (I never have been, more so just spiritual) but I’ve found that just having faith in the universe has been a beneficial thing to break those barriers. Just gotta find what works for you.

Callum

Date posted: 46w

@Dreyco Jones Nah, not religious either but I do believe there's a certain commonality in how people suffer and overcome suffering that links us all. Your advice has been really helpful thanks.

Dreyco Jones

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 46w

@Callum For sure, I have a similar view. I’m glad it helped just stay consistent and everything will work out. Much love✌️

Pronged_ping

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 46w

I have been on 200mg of sertraline for about 6 months and it has significantly improved my life. I have less moments where I feel the need to complete a compulsion. And my obsessions are really limited! OCD doesn’t want you to take the medication so it is trying to feel you back in by saying you must complete your compulsions. Try to remember your tools, you got this! ❤️

MyMia

Date posted: 23w

OCD

Good morning to all. I have OCD and have had it since high school. However, I was not formed diagnosed until 2003, when I was 45 . I have a psychiatrist and Licensed therapist, and have been on Zoloft/sertraline ever since. Currently I have to have cataract surgery in a few weeks and I am very anxious about the whole thing. Of course this has been a trigger for my OCD and dealing with it the best I can. Any thoughts ?

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

AvsFan95

Date posted: 15w

OCD and Zoloft (Sertraline)

Hi everyone, I’m new to the community. I was diagnosed with OCD just a couple of months ago and have been doing some reading and other research to try and understand the disorder. With this, I have been actively seeing a great therapist who has been helpful to build tools to deal with my intrusive thoughts ( contamination OCD is my worst theme). Do help learn to deal with the compulsions, I start on Sertraline or “Zoloft” I believe since November 2024. Currently I’m on 50mg and have been doing this for just over a month. My question for those who are also taking Sertraline and it has been successful, how do you know it has really provided a benefit and how long did it take to get there? I sometimes feel the medication works, and sometimes I feel it doesn’t (maybe that’s my OCD trying to mess with things). Thanks!

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OCD + Medication

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