Deleted post.

SL3

Date posted: 4w

I can’t either. Knowing there was a reason for the intrusive thoughts made me feel less “crazy”. I felt less alone. Before I just thought I was failing at this whole mental health thing. When you try and treat it with CBT it makes it worse which is what I was doing.

SL3

Date posted: 4w

I always think of what the author in Brain Lock said; there’s an area of the brain behind the right eye that is structurally different with OCD. It’s not something we have control over; it’s how our brains are formed/wired. We have extra sensitive alarm systems and should be able to take meds if this helps us navigate this neurotypical designed world. I’d be willing to bet seratonin levels in people with OCD is low which is what Zoloft helps with. Sometimes meds don’t help but sometimes they are a game changer. I’ve seen meds save lives. Sorry if this is providing reassurance! I’m still trying to figure this all out.

Peaceful War...

Date posted: 4w

@SL3 Well I’ve made a commitment to try the Zoloft out for a solid 3 months and I do know that if it quiets my mind a bit it’ll be well worth it. Is the Brain Lock book about ocd or neurodivergence or both ? Do you have any other recommendations

SL3

Date posted: 4w

@Peaceful Warrior Brain lock is about OCD. It’s a great book but if you have pure O like me I recommend the book with the same title Pure O by Chad Lejeune

Lalillie

Date posted: 4w

@SL3 I just got off lexapro, which numbed me so it’s scary to try something else. Trying to heal with ocd is like always taking one step forward and two steps back. It’s just so frustrating. I’m starting to consider Zoloft if it doesn’t cause the same zombie like and numb symptoms.

Peaceful War...

Date posted: 4w

@SL3 Thank you for that

SL3

Date posted: 4w

@Lalillie I understand the fear but it might be worth giving it a try. I know with OCD you have to be on a higher than typical dose so hopefully it will be a slow taper. It can also cause stomach issues in the beginning. A good prescriber will help you go slow. If you feel like a zombie it’s def not the right medication!

Peaceful War...

Date posted: 4w

I couldn’t agree more. And I feel like I had such a better handle on it . Now it’s a massive spiral and I literally feel like I’m insane . It’s like I’m two people. I’ve started Zoloft and that feels like a failure all in itself. I went my whole life with out needing a antidepressant and after all of the hard work I find out I’ve got pocd and have to go on them anyway

Lalillie

Date posted: 4w

@Peaceful Warrior Then you’re letting it define you and your egos becoming attached to it.

Lobomo

Date posted: 4w

@Peaceful Warrior It kind of reminds me of when people get diagnosed with autism, suddenly they notice the normally small traits and they feel blown up now that it’s not an automatic adjustment you make but a conscious symptom. I’m currently medicated and will likely be medicated for the rest of my life. Medication, in partnership with therapy, helps more than either alone. Medication isn’t a heal all, or a curse, it’s just a little help for your brain to find balance. Unfortunately the “Russian roulette” of figuring out what works and what doesn’t can be frustrating, but once you get past that and figure out what works, and using therapy to rewire your brain, in a way, you may be able to get off of them. You are not a failure for needing an external chemical balance. It doesn’t negate the hard work you’ve put in. The medication is only meant to help get you to a neutral, to better make new neural pathways. I’m rooting for you! Sorry this got so long..

Peaceful War...

Date posted: 4w

@Lalillie Yep

Peaceful War...

Date posted: 4w

@Lobomo Thanks that’s reassuring and yes I know it’s the help I need and it’s strange I don’t feel the same about the adhd meds I’m on , I’m also in really bad burnout and I’m sure once I get out of the burnout I’ll have a better capacity to figure everything out. I understand what you’re saying about the autism thing too except autism isn’t an evil bastard ruining my calm lol

Anonymous

Date posted: 4w

For me finding out my behavior had a name OCD was comforting because it's proof I'm not the only one. I'm not just a messed up person with a weird obsession. It has a name so for me it has hope. It's like going to the doctor not feeling well and the doctor not finding the problem and tells you since he can't find anything that I am fine. When the doctor gives it a name it feels justified enough to find a solution for.

Dude01

Date posted: 4w

Yeah that definitely was one of the positives of finding out

Dude01

Date posted: 4w

Yeah I feel like it's been a double edged sword learning something was OCD 'cause you're more aware that it's a "disorder" or "condition" that apparently is sticking around for awhile whether you like it or not or whatever. It was pretty bad before diagnosing myself, enough to google it to find answers. But ignorance was bliss. Knowing you "have" something and reading it's "so hard to get rid of" or you're "stuck with it for life" or "never really cured" etc. did not have a good effect on me. I still think 90% of it is just a neurological habit that needs to be unlearned. I've broken long habits before I can do it again.

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