Saw a psychiatrist today and was prescribed meds for my ocd. I’m super nervous and still contemplating picking them up from the pharmacy. I want to get better but I’ve always been afraid to take meds. I’d rather go a natural route. Anyone deciding no meds and actually improving just with therapy and ERP?

If someone you knew had diabetes, and said they wanted to regulate their disease “the natural route” instead of with insulin, what would you say? Now medicine isn’t a cure all, and many people have to try different dosages or medicines entirely before arriving at something that works for them. Some people are on it temporarily, while others for quite some time. There’s no way of knowing where you are until you make that effort. Who knows what your experience might be, but one thing is sure, you might risk not feeling much better by avoiding something that might help you.

Decided to take the meds. So far no side effects other than having hard time falling asleep but that could just be my mania from bi polar. I guess the scariest part was taking it, now that I did..not so scared about it anymore.

I am a no-meds person unless really needed, then sure. The side effects were too much for me, but I'm this way with all meds. Just sensitive! I've known a lot of folks that get big benefits from medication tho! It's good to tell yourself if the smart doctor thinks it's worth a try, maybe you give it a go. Remind yourself it's not forever, and even tell your doctor you want to set an "end test" date that they think is reasonable. Near that date you check in and if things aren't going well you can regroup. I like having a deadline to remember it's not permanent. For my OCD sleep and therapy are critical. Took gabapentin for sleep for a few years and it made my OCD and anxiety symptoms calm to the point I could start doing CBT and ERP work. Good luck figuring out what works for you!

I’ve been off meds and on meds. I see a difference from a mood standpoint. Are you just afraid of the side effects or that if you take the meds and you still have thoughts that it’ll mean something about you?

You can recover either way. I'm contemplating starting meds after quitting Wellbutrin, but the little treatment I've done already has changed a ton and I'm not on anything. I think either way you'll be okay :).

I was against medication too but it’s literally key for me to recover n cope with my thoughts

I did not get much improvement from my medication but gained 70 lbs

Everyone’s mind & body & recovery is different so we all can’t compare just have to go to your physciatrist n therapist for these things

Makes sense. I’m just terrified of not feeling like myself or gaining weight or any of the other scary side effects. Like heart racing or high blood pressure and I do extreme exercises and the fear of not being able to do the exercises that I find relief and enjoyment in. I know it’s trial and error I guess. Not everyone is the same. I just wish I could go without meds and still get better.