Re: Opinion on meds - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

dannic1 · 02-11-2007, 07:05 PM

I would like to hear some different opinions on OCD medication. Does it really help? Is it worth any possible side effects and does it really help take away the obsessive-compulsive thinking?

What other things have significantly helped your OCD i.e. food, vitamins, exercise, etc.?

Thanks.

danni

Trixibel · 02-11-2007, 07:53 PM

Zoloft helped with obsessive thoughts but it was a bit numbing so i came off it.

Vitamins help. Read 'Optimum nutrition for the mind' by Patrick Holford. He explains about the link between nutrition and mental health. It's very helpful.

Basically you need to make sure you're getting enough; B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and calcium. and fish oil helps with anxiety too, supposedly. there's also a natural relaxant called valerian or valerian root that you can get in health food shops or chemists. it stinks though.

good luck.

ocdengineer · 02-12-2007, 03:57 AM

I favor Xanax or another Benzo for my anxiety and it works pretty well for me. I still have bad days and whatnot, but not to the extent I did before. Anyway, the major things to do are holistic such as taking care of your body and removing all the horrible things we put into it such as nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine. Exercise and eat well. These will all help a lot and then worry about the drugs. Xanax did not stop me from doing anything. It didn't change my personality and it didn't give me any side effects other than my bed time sliped up about two hours. I now can actually fall asleep. Meditation is also huge for OCD. That or CBT.

Later,
OE

MissyS · 02-13-2007, 10:50 AM

I am on zoloft. It has helped with my ocd thoughts but I've had to up it a few times. I haven't had any side effects from it and will stay on it for now. i take Klonopin for anxiety. It's a little slower acting than xanax but not as habit forming.

While the meds are helpful, with OCD you need to make lifestyle changes. I very rarely drink anymore and never drink to excess. I quit smoking. And I exercise a lot more. The only thing I'm really having trouble with is caffeine. I am having a hard time giving it up.

And while all of this is good and dandy, the best help for ocd is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. You need to be willing to stick to it and work it. But it helps (I've been slacking recently and have had a rough day because of it!) But a combination of all these things have helped me live pretty well minus a few bad days here and there. Much better than I was doing before.

Hope this helps.

MariaBB · 02-13-2007, 11:48 AM

I've had OCD for over 20 years. About six months ago I was prescribed Anafranil and my OCD symptoms are 90% gone. What a relief! The OCD symptoms only return when I'm under extreme stress. I feel like I've been set free.