How is medication working for y'all? I'm thinking of taking it to maybe help me because the anxiety and physical symptoms pull me back. I've never taken medication before and am scared and don't really even know where to start. Is it a journey to find the right medication?

Thank you so much! Yes I talked to my therapist and she told me that maybe it would be a good think to keep in mind.ive been going to therepy since August and I've made a lot of improvement but I definitely am considering medication because I've been in the mindset of I can handle and be on this journey without and maybe one day I can or maybe not. But I think the physiological parts of OCD take me in and I'm not able to progress. Thank you for messaging back.

@Anonymous it's normal to be nervous about medication, especially as a person who has an anxiety disorder in the first place. but if you aren't comfortable taking meds, don't feel pressured into doing it. i would say if your life feels unmanageable even with therapy, or you feel like you cannot function well enough to go to work/school or leave your house due to your symptoms, you should consider medication in these circumstances. when i started taking meds, it was because i was in a place mentally where i could not bare to cope with the anxiety well enough to the point that i could not work, had trouble going out by myself, and would spend hours trying to make small decisions due to the distress it gave me. i have been off of my meds for several months now, and although i am having a rough period currently, i feel stable enough to cope without assistance for now. i wouldn't have gotten to this place if not for the time i was on medication to stabilize me.

@pamela97 Yea I think that it's really hard for me to focus on school work and so even with therapy there is so much I think I can handle which maybe I can but talking to you is making me realize that I don't need to be ashamed of it. That's a big part of it too. I'm sorry you are going through a rough period! I'm proud of you for having so much courage and strength to be able to handle the circumstances and hard times you are going through. Thank you for responding to me even when you are going through your own times.

@Anonymous talking to people definitely helps. both for me and you! that's why we are all here. it's super common for people (with and without OCD) to take some form of medication. i think if you are worried about people judging you, keep this quote in mind: those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter. if for any reason you're not comfortable sharing the fact that you're on meds or what they're for, then you can decline to share details or explain that it's for "personal health reasons." of course, this is all just hypothetical, if you so choose to go ahead with meds. it's entirely up to you, of course! i can only give you so much advice not knowing you personally. your therapist and/or psychiatrist will be able to help you narrow down the best decision for your health and they will guide you through the entire process. never be afraid to ask your doctor(s) all the questions you may have for them. if they're worth anything, they'd be glad to answer for you.

@pamela97 That's true like they are brain vitamins. I love that quote. No everything you said is so helpful! I'm now more willing to explore medication! Definitely going to try to include other methods for my recovery. I guess medicine might be in my process maybe maybe not.

I'm glad it helped you! Yes when my OCD changed themes and I got an extreme amount of intrusive thoughts my appetite was gone. I didn't eat at all or get out of bed. I had no idea what was happening and it was such a scary time. But yes I've been getting recommended doing things that are good for me like yoga and working out, vitamins, and so much more. I am trying to implement it but one day at a time lol

@Anonymous Yes exactly!! And be patient with yourself. Progress isn’t straightforward it’s an individual experi nice and we’re all trying to figure out what’s right for us :) hope everything is going great for you!

@Bluedog Thank you so much! I hope the same for you!!!

@ashcash I did try medication and it was a journey that fit my treatment plan. It helped me have a brain that can make space between thoughts and they were announced in my head but in a way that didn't feel as intrusive but I can see the thought for what it is. I have been on an SSRI for about two years and a half! Keeping up with a therapist who goes through changes has helped and sticking with ERP also helps the process. It is hard and it is not like I live in a perfect brain. I'm able to shift my expectations of myself and see how I interact with my inner world with OCD. Life is manageable and I wake up wanting to take on another day rather than dread how much I'll be in my head. I know how to be better with sticking to a decision like not doing a compulsion and having grace. Not perfect but livable and more freeing these days. Took tears and so much SO much nonsense in my head to sort through😂

@Anonymous I wasn't expecting to write this much so thank you for asking! How are you?

@Anonymous honestly im not doing well, im considering medicine (specifically prozac) and honestly ive been obsessing over that decision. im scared of what it will be like but i know that i need it if i want to tackle treatment properly! ive been severely struggling with ocd for about a year now (21 F) and i have pure-o so its just like really busy and messy up in here, especially in combo with my adhd.

@ashcash I get that feeling and I had a similar experience where I was worried because of the effects other people have talked about and it overall triggered my health fears. It felt like I was giving up but I tried to turn it around that it will give me an opportunity to see things more slowly. It's stressful and anxiety provoking to deal with mental thoughts and compulsions all day where you feel you have no purpose anymore. I'm getting diagnosed with ADHD tomorrow and I think this will help my process of knowing and being able to treat it. The idea of medication isn't perfect nor the decision to take medicine means anything about you.

@Anonymous thank you! i hope ur diagnosis goes well. if it helps i tried vyvanse for a few days and it helped my focus even at a low dose. i have a theory that unmanaged/unmedicated adhd especially in women, increases risk of ocd and anxiety period. because our minds think so much so fast so often, its not outlandish that we have higher rates of intrusive thoughts that happen just cus our brains are scattered already.