Is it okay for us to drink alcohol at all? Us as in those with OCD/anxiety issues? When I was 21-22 I would have a drink when going out to dinner with friends, going to a wedding, maybe have a glass of wine at home. Since my OCD onset I’ve completely cut out alcohol and even before that was drinking less just because. However lately I’ve been wondering if it would be okay to have like a mojito during dinner or a mimosa out to brunch once in a while. Is that okay? Or should we avoid alcohol completely for the sake of our mental health? I’m not currently on any medication either so it’s not like it could react with that specifically as well. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Nelm

Date posted: 4y

I love a mojito.

Nelm

Date posted: 4y

It depends on your reasom for drinking. If it's for compulsion relief then you'll eventually end up in a bad way

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 4y

Definitely not for a compulsion, just wondering if OCD/anxiety symptoms would be made worse with light alcohol usage added to the mix. Before if I went out with friends to dinner I would have one cocktail or something along with the food so wondering if something like that would be okay once in a while or if it would be best to not partake all together

Estrid

Date posted: 4y

@Evelyn4416 I think you have to figure out this for yourself, what works best.

CoreyC

Date posted: 4y

I do drink alcohol but not ever to the point that I’m getting drunk or even like a good buzz.. never like to feel like that since it kinda goes hand in hand with anxiety + ocd that I never really knew I had until the last year... but by textbook no you probably shouldn’t drink alcohol since it’s a depressant which can make symptoms worse.. but it’s really up to you. I personally love beer so it’s just hard to give up.. just don’t abuse it

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 4y

Thanks for the reply! I was thinking like one drink once in a while but if it’ll make symptoms worse then it’s not worth it

Vavina_4

Date posted: 4y

I cut out alcohol as well thinking it’ll make my symptoms worse and it made it worse (for me cause everyone’s experiences are different) only because it was my 21st birthday and I abused it to the max. Never again will I drink that much and now I decided to drink once in a while a beer or two the max but that’s it.

Vavina_4

Date posted: 4y

So far that has been a good limit, my ocd and anxiety don’t go haywire when I limit myself to 1 or 2 beers.

Estrid

Date posted: 4y

If you are on medication its important ti be aware of how it affect in combination with alcohol. SSRI for example can add the effect.

Ocd_istheworst

Date posted: 4y

As long as it’s not abused / becoming an addiction , you are good to make that decision with whatever you feel is best! Yes, it will make depression / anxiety worse after the buzz wears off, sometimes worse than other times, & sometimes not as bad. It’s up to you if once and a while you’re okay with having to deal with the onset of the symptoms here and again. Personally I take that risk every once and a while. I still like to feel buzzed once and a while, rarely now bc my ocd got bad again this year but some times my ocd isn’t as severe and I’m like eh I could have a glass of wine or go to the bar with friends and just enjoy myself. I just won’t drink if I’m already depressed because that’s a completely different road.. I only have a drink or two if I’m already happy/mentally stable at the time.

FindingAnswe...

Date posted: 4y

no! that’s called avoidance and is counter-intuitive! instead, allow yourself to drink in moderation. when you feel anxiety around whatever it may be, work on making peace with the fear and accepting yourself regardless of conditions. also, ERP may be effective here, where after drinking you could do ERP on the fear in question. may be an effective way to help treat it.

Estrid

Date posted: 4y

Agree.

OCDNoThankYe

Date posted: 22w

Medication

Hey friends, I hope you all are well. I just wanted to check in and ask people's experiences about being on medication. I have had OCD pretty much my whole life, just got recently diagnosed 4 months ago and my therapist recommended that I get on meds for it so I have a psychiatrist appointment set up. I'm a little apprehensive about getting on them, but I've realized that I do have some sort of chemical imbalance in my brain that plays a part in my OCD and anxiety. I would love to hear anyones experiences or words of encouragement. Thank you, I hope you all are well.

H399Rocd

Date posted: 21w

Medication for OCD?

Medication for OCD? Hello all, 19 male here, this seems like a cool community that isn’t nearly as triggering as reddit. I have pretty severe bouts of existential thinking or fear of going crazy ( psychosis ) after some pretty heavy mushroom trips a few years ago, I know logically I should be fine but I do know what it’s like to lose it and it’s scary. Currently I deal with relationship focused OCD, it’s all day from before I even open my eyes. I want things to work out with my girlfriend badly. Also I can come close to a panic attack sometimes which perpetuates everything. Anyway, I mention the fear of going crazy because the way my anxiety/derealization makes me feel is that I’m not mentally stable cause I feel out of it or unreal. I saw that a lot of anxiety and depression medication can cause psychosis and I feel like I could use some help in getting ahead of my OCD because the compulsions are had not to give into when I’m in such distress/not knowing. Plus overall I just feel like I have no idea how I feel about close to anything. Anyone relate about that ?

OCDTreatment05

Date posted: 21w

First time opening up 🙈

Sometimes I had some relationship OCD and then I didn’t qualify for contamination OCD however I know in relationships partners like to be close and drink out of each others cup. My partner was thirsty and getting very hot and he asked for my drink and I gave it to him he felt better and I am so beyound happy he did! I feel a lot of shame admitting this, he told me I could have my drink back and I said thank you! 😊 He noticed I didn’t drink it because in my mind it says it is contaminated and I felt extremely bad that he noticed so I got a piece of gum to distracte us I then had to spit out the gum because it wasn’t a good flavor then my brain told me well… ( Ms.OCD) said if I don’t drink it it will hurt his feelings and then that means I don’t like him and then I drink it then I spiraled from there lol 😂 I am so sorry it wasn’t a weird funny story I was wondering if anyone else can relate? I was wondering if there is any advice I can please have? Thank you so much!! Please write down something in the comments if you are struggling because I want to help you all as well!! Thank you!!

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