How did you take control of your OCD?

I'm on Lexapro but not for ocd specifically. I find those meds lower your baseline anxiety and should make your ocd less potent, but that does nothing for spikes. I'm find erp therapy is extremely helpful.

First, I’m so glad you’re getting the help you need and I’m sorry meds were traumatic. I am pro-Rx for OCD because it worked for me. I am also probably permanently off of SSRIs due to side effects, but I really valued them when starting ERP. I do not think I’d have been successful with ERP without the medications helping me tolerate the discomfort. I’ve since transitioned to having an as-needed prescription for intense anxiety. There are many meds available and it may be worth trying something new, perhaps starting with quite low doses and building up gradually. That’s what I did initially. It was physical side effects for me, not mental/emotional, so experiences will vary. But with all this said, YES it is definitely possible to work on ERP for OCD without medication. It may be that you need to take it slower and make slower progress, but know that you have options.

I’m on Zoloft for ocd. When I took it around your age it made my mental state worse but now a few years later it’s working wonders. If you’re not depressed and tried others I would think about Zoloft

Maybe you can make another post to speak a little more of your experience with prescribed meds when you were initially diagnosed? Thinking of feeling any worse keeps me from wanting to take anything!