Daughter Diagnosed with OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Howitt44 · 07-06-2006, 11:20 PM

My 20 year old daughter was just diagnosed today with OCD. She came to my husband and I about 2 months ago and confessed that she thought she had a problem with drinking. This was devastating to me as my father was an alcoholic. We consulted our family physician who recommended that she see a therapist. He had asked her some questions that made him think there was more going on - depression, bipolar, he wasn't sure. She did mention to him that since a bout 14 years of age her brain "races" and she drinks to make it stop. ... She took a written evaluation about 2 weeks ago and today we had our first session about the results of the test. She has paranoia, bad dreams, extreme worry, etc. I think he is going to prescribe some medication - Effexor ? - maybe. He said that much of the medications for OCD are also for depression. Is this true? I am very wary of these medications, but I trust my doctor and feel like we have to do something to get her some relief. The drinking is a serious issue. She has driven twice while intoxicated. HEr car is in our name but she makes the car payments. The insurance is also in our name. WE have told her that if she continues to drink and drive we will take her car from her. We can't have her risking her life or someone elses. I would appreciate any advice or information about the medications usually prescribed for OCD and what to expect - how long do they take to work? Are there side affects? Will she have to be on them forever or does that vary from person to person? Thanks so much.
Cindy

steveo23 · 07-07-2006, 05:02 AM

Dear Cindy

Im sorry to hear about your daughters problems with OCD and the booze. Unfortunately its very common for younger people with OCD to try and "self medicate" or escape their problems with alcohol or recreational drugs. Substance abuse tends to neutralize OCD in the short term, but only makes things a lot lot worse long term, and of course abuse represents serious problems of its own. I know because I have been there myself. The late teens/early 20s is also a common time for OCD to become more severe in females, as males are prone to earlier onset. Bad dreams and paranoia are common with OCD, although these are likely compounded by the alcohol.

Yes, meds used for OCD are also commonly used for depression or other anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders and depressive illness largely stem from serotonin deficiency in the brain, which is involved in transmission of thoughts and neurological information. The medication attempts to readjust the serotonin balance. Dont be wary of meds... SSRI drugs (like Effexor) are highly effective for a lot of people and are considered some of the more safer pyschiatric medicines. If your doc feels your daughter needs meds, then she probably does. Medication does not have to be a long term solution. It is usually administered to help people out of an intense OCD mood. Long term treatment is usually CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), which addresses specific OCD problems directly.

Yes, there are side effects with OCD medications... they tend to be mild and short term. Rarely do people have serious side effects, if this happens, it is common place to switch to another medication. Most side effects occur in the first several weeks of taking meds... headaches, fatigue, dizziness, general malaise, but these pass quickly as the body adapts to the meds. There may be long term side effects. In all my time on meds though I have never experienced long term problems.

It very much depends on the individual how long medication takes to work... your daughter may experience benefits within days. On average, it is usually several weeks before they take full effect. A general rule of thumb is to stay on one medication for 3 months to determine the benefits.

It may be worthwhile researching OCD and Effexor on the net, there are a lot of resources about OCD in particular. I can understand your daughter turning to alcohol, OCD can be a nightmare at times.

I wish both her and you well. Also, I just wana say that OCD is VERY treatable, and its only a positive thing that you are getting help. Best of luck

Steve

Howitt44 · 07-08-2006, 04:10 PM

Steve,
Thank you so much for replying to my post. You have been very helpful with the information you gave me. I feel like my daughter has an excellent MD and therapist working with her. I am so thankful she came to us and admitted she thought she had a problem with the alcohol; otherwise, we might not have given the OCD much consideration. Even as a child, she had some habits that we thought we cute, but now I see it as the beginning of OCD. She has also been a worrier, but my whole family is, so I thought it was normal. But I see that some of her worrying is not normal. She has her second session with her therapist next week and they are going to discuss some of her nightmares (which she has dealt with a long time).
Cindy

seriousperson · 07-08-2006, 10:46 PM

About the car:
When one of my daughters was still in high school, I got a new car and gave her the old car, keeping it in my name. The last time she totaled it, she rear-ended an elderly, terminally ill person. It was about 18 months before our insurance companies reached a settlement. During that time I was liable for the accident because the car was in my name. If I had wanted to finance another car or a house during that time, it would have been very difficult.
My advice is to either put the car in her name or get rid of it.

A bit more about the medications:
There can be other unpleasant side effects as well, most of which do fade over time, but may be intolerable at the outset, and so may make it necessary to stop the medication.
In the event that medications do not work, there is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She can ask her therapist about it.

gotitbad · 07-09-2006, 08:34 PM

Just one more thing to consider. I believe you said she felt like her thought were racing. That could be a sign of bipolar disorder too. Giving her an anti-depressant if she is bipolar could sent her into a dangerous manic episode. It did with my doughter who the doctor thought was just depressed. She ended up in the hopital after 2 week on Effexor. I would just be sure she is very clear with the doctor about all of her thoughts, behaviors, sleep patterns and emotions before beginning the meds to ensure the right diagnosis. Once you have that, the meds are very affective at treating these illnesses, although it could take several months of trying a few out before you get the right combination for her. Be patient and proactive with the doctor and she should be fine. You may need to keep her on meds the rest of her life or you may not. It is too soon to tell. But the good news is that there are options today to treat these illness that they didn't have 30 years ago.