Question: Medication Fears Due to Comorbidity

Were you ever afraid to start meds? How did you make your final decision (whatever it may have been) while coping with that fear? For context, I was initially diagnosed with CPTSD and ADHD, and my OCD diagnosis came 1.5 years after already starting treatment. Several months have passed, and I’m finally coming to terms with the severity of my OCD. I deeply trust and care for my therapist, and I don’t think I could or would be willing to continue healing without her. However, she specializes in Complex Trauma, not OCD. The work we’re doing is important and worthwhile, but I find my OCD has only gotten stronger since becoming aware of it. And I feel like I’m drowning. I see people discussing their medication journeys to assist with their OCD, and many call it life-changing, if not life-saving. And for the first time in my life, I’m considering this option for myself. I’m very aware that some of the fear I have is just the OCD itself in disguise. However, there is also fear that predates my OCD entirely, and it deserves a role in this conversation. I worry about introducing new variables (side effects, etc.) when my regulation and window of tolerance are already so fragile due to my CPTSD. I might be screaming into the void here, but I’m hopeful that someone out there may have some insight or experience to share.

mellowrabbit

Date posted: 16h

I have struggled with fear of medication as well, specifically antidepressants. i was on zoloft for a a bit a few years ago (before OCD diagnosis) and it did improve my mood. it made the physical sensations of depression and the anxiety of my ocd spirals more mild and easier to cope with. However, I stopped it. I have a possible family history of bipolar disorder, and I was scared that I possibly had mania. i feel annoying to my doctor because i left it and never got a refill. i want to be brave and give it another try.

Chlover612

Date posted: 16h

I also deal with OCD, CPTSD, as well as audhd (the last being undiagnosed because it’s just way too expensive for my current budget lol). And what I can say is this - I used to have a huge bias against pills or meds of any kind due to a lot of trauma with a drug addicted parent in childhood/ early teen years… Until my own mental health reached the absolute lowest it had ever been. I was put in a position where I understood how easy it was to not care about anything, and only caring about stopping the pain. I did research on what options there were, what each med did, what side effects were most common etc. and I read people’s testimonies. Then I was able to make the informed decision that I’d rather treat what I can’t control with meds and keep my sanity, than continue to lose the battle against genetic mental health. You can always wean yourself off when you’re better (or you may have to continue meds for many years and that’s ok too) My biggest life saver though wasn’t just starting therapy and meds - it was my support system. Surrounding yourself with people you can trust and rely on during such a hard time is so so important. Even just one person.

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond