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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Stressing about medication

Sarasalt
Sarasalt
So various factors have led to my not seeing a psychiatrist until the end of this month. After an awful experience with one in August, I'm anxious to see someone I feel that I can trust and to begin the process of finding something to help calm all of the raging thoughts. I feel like my mind is never quiet, and I desperately wish that it could be more so.

I've never been at the point of desiring medication. It's always been something that I've rebelled against, and this newfound desperation to find something that works (in connection with the CBT I've recently started) is strange. I'm really, really nervous about taking the medication, though.

I know that many who use SSRIs experience significant weight gain, as well as decreased libido. These are two things that I can't stop obsessing over. I have a difficult relationship with my body (stress eater, but struggle to remain of average weight and have typical esteem issues), and my anxiety affects my experience of sex already, so the thought of either of those things getting worse makes me even more anxious than before. I'm nervous that if I start experiencing these side effects, I'll stop taking the medication. I don't know how to make the experience "worth it" to help keep the OCD at bay. :(
wildflowers44
wildflowers44
I can relate to how you feel. I have OCD as well and for the longest time, was against medication. My therapist kept urging me to try it, so I finally did. I was terrified of possible side effects and thought of all the bad things that could happen, but I didn't really have many side effects at all. Prozac has actually caused me to lose weight. My sister and mother take Celexa, and they haven't gained any weight. My doctor explained to me that often the weight gain that results from the SSRIs isn't from the medication itself, but is a result of depressed patients feeling better, thus wanting to eat more. The medications can't magically make you gain weight, I promise.

The reason I decided to try meds is because I figured I didn't have anything to lose. If you try a medication, and it doesn't work out, you can always get off of it and even try a different SSRI. You might have to try a few before you find the one that suits your body chemistry the best. But it's worth a shot, right? Definitely keep up the CBT. I think if you combine that with medication, you could really see some drastic improvements.

Best of luck to you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I start taking meds and then obsess over the side effects, so I quit taking them and quit seeing my doctor. I have done this many, many times with the same result. I eventually hit rock bottom and have to come back to the meds and therapy. Finally I asked my husband if he was okay with me quitting my meds, and he said, "we can't stand you when you're off your meds." Hurtful, yes, but true. I had to decide between quality of life and perhaps, quantity of life. The only med I have ever had weight gain with was Effexor ( I gained 35 pounds). It is very hard to get off of it, bad withdrawals. Anyway, meds are the only thing that keep me from eventually locking myself in the bathroom and crying all the time. side effects or sanity. I still worry about side effects, but then again, I worry just about everything! P.S. I have lost the weight I had gained.