Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.

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Asics 07/25/2011

I had a question for everyone. Has anyone ever tried an MAOI for your OCD SX? I've tried Paxil and have been on it for years but it's effects are clearly wearing out. I've done a few bouts with different ssri's but my OCD appears very treatment refratory at this point. I've done 3 3 week trips to outpatient facilities totalling 9 weeks of CBT and am still suffering from symptoms. Each time I went to the outpatient treatment things would get better for a couple of years and then my symptoms would return. I'm very pissed and bitter which isn't helping anything. I guess I just don't give a damn anymore.

deleted_user 07/27/2011

So sorry you are having a hard time. I have tried them yes, and for me, they only made them worse. Right now I am trying abilify in conjunction with luvox and valium. I think the drugs make things worse to be honest. I am going to try the natural route and take St. John's Wort. I am also starting partial flooding therapy with an in-home exposure therapist. I would try some natural things and def. herbal elements.

Hugs,
Kris

Asics 07/29/2011

Thanks for the response. I'm not 100% sure whether or not drugs help or not. Seroquel has been helpful at 150mg and so has taking Fish Oil. Omega 3's are important I think to getting this under control. Paxil may be doing something for me but I'm not sure. I'm ready to try another form of anti-depressant and am kinda hoping for different results. I don't like to place all my faith in medicine but I've really done alot of work with counseling and have persevered much despite my OCD which can get extreme at points.

deleted_user 07/31/2011

I haven't tried that class of drug but i do have a long history of extreme OCD and medications never helped. I tried all SSRIS zyprexa mirtazpine plus more. In my case the luvox zyprexa combo triggered caused a progressive muscle wasting disease as it damadged all the motor neurons in my spine and also caused erythomelagia. Thats a one in a millon rare reaction though. I tended to find the ssris made me more anxious. The zyprexa just harder to think. With OCD multiple genes are involved and depending on the mutations the drugs may not work. ie those with a double mutation on the hsert transporter gene tend to have a more severe form of ocd non responsive to drugs. Also current seratonin antidepressants work on all seratonin receptors some of which raise anxiety some of which decrease it so the effect on anxiety is often mixed. Ideally they will eventually put out medications that only effect the seratonin receptors responsible for decreasing anxiety.
CBT can be great but its so dependent on the therapists skills. What sort of CBT do they get you to do? At least you say the outpatient treatment helps ... often with CBT you have to keep doing it and applying it to each new symptom as it arises. Mindfulness meditation (using left nostril pranayama) helped me a lot and can work well with CBT.

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