Starting to explore medication for my OCD.

Just getting to the point where I’m beginning to accept that I have OCD. My psychiatrist recommended Vrylar to start and if I don’t like it, possibly Prozac. I have a lot of obsessive thoughts related to harm OCD and I think I have relationship OCD. I unfortunately just went through a breakup with a really kind boyfriend and looking back on it I realize how a lot of my thoughts were not lining up properly. I want to live a chiller life and heal for me and so I don’t push people I love away. I’m nervous about starting the Vrylar and not being able to socialize and have drinks out though. I’m also nervous the side effects like it making me tired. I’m starting on the tiniest dosage 3 days a week. I’m also considering starting other therapeutic options like ERP instead, but I think I need the meds too. Not looking for a decision to be made for me at all. I would love to hear some stories or tips on how to approach this process with positive thinking. And appreciate any experiences on Vrylar vs Prozac that you would like to share. Thanks!

OCD newbies

Raven_

Date posted: 22h

Do you have other issues outside of OCD? Obviously trust your provider to know best. Vrylar is just a very strange one to start on. It’s not the typical course of action. Everyone is going to have different reactions to every medication. Prozac has been around since the 80s so it’s tried and true. It’s an SSRI which is where most people start. Vrylar is an atypical antipsychotic that’s only been around since the last decade. It’s usually used as an add-on treatment but antipsychotics do help a lot of people with obsessive thinking. As far as side effects. Every drug may or may not cause side effects, that’s kind of a luck of the draw thing. The tiredness with antipsychotics is typical and for most people it fades with regular use. As far as alcohol, no matter what psych med you are on, it’s going to be recommended to avoid alcohol. All that said, medication is great, it’s both saved lives and made lives much easier to go through. Sometimes it’s trial and error, it’s normal to have to try different meds so don’t get discouraged if the first ones aren’t the best for you. Therapy for the most part is where the real improvements happen. Meds just help you get to a place to focus on working on yourself. I know this was long winded 😅 but moral of the story is keep your head up. Meds are a great tool to help you reach your goals. Definitely start therapy in conjunction.

Rosebud13

Date posted: 22h

@Raven_ I thought it was a bit odd too. I’m starting on a 3 day a week at a super low dose. She mentioned it had a way of hitting receptors more thoroughly and gently than an SSRI might. I had a negative reaction to Wellbutrin in the past when used to treat my ADHD. Not on anything for the ADHD now. I also have some anxiety issues from past experiences, so maybe that could be a part of it? I noticed a huge increase in paranoia while under stress too. I feel just awful about the breakup. All the suspicion that I had wasn’t really valid and I wasn’t mean, but I was all over the place emotionally. Got like weirdly fixated on him leaving when it didn’t make sense and started needing a type of reassurance that wasn’t fair to ask him for. Trying to focus on getting better though. I’m hoping this will be a good start to me being clearheaded and less anxious. Thank you so much for all your advice and kind words. Really appreciate it💜💜

Raven_

Date posted: 22h

@Rosebud13 You got this 💪🏻 💪🏻💪🏻 it’s not cheap, but if you have the financial means, it might be beneficial to look into neurofeedback therapy. It can do wonders for anxiety and definitely for ADHD

Soliel

Date posted: 21h

@Rosebud13 I also had a terrible reaction to Wellbutrin and have now been sworn off meds, I’ve tried them all it seems anyways and none helped…. Not saying it won’t for u tho! I’ve often wondered if I should try again… but ERP so far has helped me tremendously!

Rosebud13

Date posted: 14h

@Soliel Sorry to hear you had a similarly rough time on Wellbutrin. I’m a bit wary of going on a new med after my experience with Wellbutrin and a few other meds. This would be the first one I’ve taken specifically for OCD though. ERP sounds interesting. Glad it worked so well for you too! ☺️ I’m thinking it could be a better place for me to start before going on meds but it’s tough to say… I have an appointment with my psychotherapist tomorrow. I’m curious to hear what she thinks vs the psychiatrist. Thanks for sharing!

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