For people who have experienced successes with SSRI’s or other antidepressants, what symptoms did they treat? The intrusive thoughts, anxiety, compulsions, all of it? I have tried other ssri’s in the past, with moderate success in reducing anxiety, but it didn’t reduce the unwanted thoughts. However, at that time, the theme of my intrusive thoughts weren’t as troublesome. So while the thoughts still existed, it didn’t limit my functionality. I feel like even if a new SSRI reduces my anxiety and compulsions, but not the intrusive thoughts, that I will not return to the functionality I had just a short time ago.

Thank you for this.

@Anonymous I went through trials, so i would say about 3-4 months. It is different for everyone.

@Anonymous Speak to your psychiatrist. I started on a med and i remember we raised it every two weeks until i felt better. When the doctor felt that the med is not for me, we switched to another one. Not every ssri will work.

@Anonymous I really think at week 7 if its not getting any better, I would definitely want to try something else. You deserve it. Thats a long time.

:/ I’m sorry to hear that. Are they as prevalent as they were before? Are you also doing ERP? Even on days that I have less anxiety when I get the harm ocd thoughts, I’m convinced I’ll eventually act on them 😔 it’s so exhausting, even when I successfully sit with the thoughts and let the anxiety subside.

@Drew73 They’re not as prevalent but they aren’t easier to deal with for me. I haven’t started ERP yet but I am soon. And i’m feeling the same way tonight i’m convinced that this is going to lead me down a bad path and i can’t get that thought out of my head

@saranothgee Well, ERP in the short time has helped make the thoughts a little less prevalent and they don’t seem to come as vivid images any more. I’m hopeful that between the erp and Zoloft that you’ll go in remission. Feel free to reach out if you need support

@Drew73 thank you!!

@Anonymous Maybe you should switch ? Doesnt sound like its working to much

@saranothgee What do you mean by this. If your anxiety is gone shouldn't it help the thoughts go as well being easier to pass the thoughys

@Kls2121 my anxiety symptoms are gone for the most part-beating heart, difficulty breathing-but my medicine doesn’t help with the intrusive thoughts. i still get them but i don’t experience the same physical symptoms of anxiety that i normally would off my medication

@saranothgee That definitely sounds like a good thing.

@Kls2121 yes and no. it is kind of scarier to me because i’ll have scary thoughts and i won’t have an anxious reaction so it makes me question if i would do these things.

@saranothgee Ohhhh ok now I understand. Hmmm that sounds kind of scary.

@saranothgee I wonder if there is something else you can try. Or higher dose.

Sorry I type to fast lol. I heard bigger doses are better for ocd

So what do you do now? How do you deal?

Got to be something else

@Kls2121 I responded below, my bad.

I do have an appointment with a psychiatrist on Tuesday to iron out my med situation.

Thats great. Sounds like your doing pretty good.

@Kls2121 I got put on Effexor today. It’s used off-label for ocd. I was hoping for something else but going to trust the psychiatrists decision and pray that it works out.

@Drew73 Good luck. Let me know how it goes

In reducing intrusive thoughts? Or for all symptoms?

@Drew73 Both

How was it when you started it?

🥰