Is medication necessary for OCD recovery? I used to be on buspirone a few months ago for anxiety and while it worked for a week or so it started making me feel very lightheaded so my doctor told me to stop and suggested supplements instead. Sometimes I wonder if I need to be on medication but I’m afraid of the stories I hear of people trying a bunch of different ones because some made them a lot worse.

blondehairyK...

Date posted: 5y

You can definately go without meds! Its just that if you are having certain really bad symptoms which you feel are holding you back, meds will ease those so that you can focus on your recovery. Personally my depression holds me back, so I take an anti-depressant to give me the energy/motivation to recover.

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 5y

Ah I see! When I was taking the medication it helped with stopping the intrusive thoughts and physical effects of such intense anxiety (I had trouble sleeping, no appetite, food would go through me, etc.) so I was really happy and didn’t do anything else about it, just thought hey it’s gone I’m good now! Now that I’m on supplements it has eliminated the physical effects still (for the most part, I still get tight muscles and tense stomach here and there) but the intrusive thoughts are here to play. I guess that’s where the therapy comes in, huh?

blondehairyK...

Date posted: 5y

@Evelyn4416 Yup that's right! Healing comes from all angles. Even the space you live in too, it all adds up. One step at a time, my dear!

blondehairyK...

Date posted: 5y

@Evelyn4416 Are you in therapy yet? It can be scary but it is soooo worth it

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 5y

@blondehairyKrishna I have been seeing a mental health counselor since December but the last time I had an appointment with her was a few weeks ago due to trouble with scheduling since I had recently started work that had hours all over the place. These last few weeks too, however, I’ve been looking at different options since I became more and more convinced I didn’t have just anxiety but OCD, and my counselor wasn’t specialized in that. I found a psychologist about an hour away from me that focuses on OCD but then I came across this app and thing it would be a more convenient way to receive therapy. I’m just a little hesitant since I’ve only done in-person therapy and not over video call ?

blondehairyK...

Date posted: 5y

@Evelyn4416 Aw I feel you there.. But hey, it is the digital age! It's awesome that you found someone to connect with!

Raee

Date posted: 5y

So for me personally I dont use meds (fluvoxomine is the one I take if I take any) unless I’ve gone through an extremely taxing event (eg; death in the family) and I know that for the next few months my ocd will be more intense. It’s important to work with a therapist and/or psychologist to determine which option is the best for you right now.

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 5y

Thank you for your well thought-out list! Gives me things to consider!

lulu23

Date posted: 5y

Takes the edge off for some but it is never necessary in my opinion. Of course I am no doctor, just an experienced ocd patient !

Raee

Date posted: 5y

As someone who took meds when they were younger and are not on them now I think there are a few pros and cons to both. It depends on ur personal strengths and the symptoms of OCD that disrupt your day. Pros of meds:(based on my OWN personal experience) -the thoughts and visions are not as strong -I can control myself easier with less mental effort Cons: -I feel like my anxiety is just caged up, not gone. -my emotions are barely there and I go through the day drowsy and numb Pros of no meds: -I have a personality -I have developer useful coping mechanisms for different situations (therapist aided) -I am more self aware of the thoughts and can actively acknowledge they can’t hurt me Cons: -extra mental effort to stay functional in public -more frequent anxiety attacks -heavier levels of overall anxiety

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