OCD, phobias, and zoloft - Phobias Message Board

ieshaj · 06-09-2006, 10:06 PM

Hi, I have OCD for years. It has gotten a lot worse over the past several months and is starting to control my life. My phobia's have also gotten worse. I cannot even be in the same room with a spider anymore. The doc put me on Zoloft to control my obsessive thoughts which lead to my compulsive behavior. She also said that I am slightly depressed. I am. Most of the time I feel like I am watching a movie even though I am part of it.
Has anyone been on Zoloft? What are the negative side effects? Is it addicting? As we all know, we get addicted to doing things b/c we feel we NEED to do it.
What about Luvox. She originally wanted to put me on that but I did not like what I read about it.

Cecelia117 · 06-09-2006, 11:29 PM

Hi I just wanted to let you know that I also have a horrible phobia of spiders, and also centipedes. Although strangely enough I'm not scared of pet tarantulas. But anyways I'm absolutely terrified by them. There's been times I came and slept on the couch in the living room because there's one in my room. I'm 24 years old, but I see a little spider and start freaking out, I've even been brought to tears because of them. I feel like an idiot, like I'm way to old to be scared of something like that.

I was on Zoloft quite awhile ago for depression. I remember tht it helped, but it left me with an empty feeling all the time. I think I ended up switching to Welbutrin after that, but that was for depression so I don't know if it helps for OCD. But other then the empty feeling, I don't remember any other bad side effects. And just because that's the effect I got doesn't mean you will anyways. I hope it works well for you, but if not there are many other meds out there. Hope you are feeling better.

ieshaj · 06-10-2006, 08:59 PM

I've cried b/c of spiders too. I don't know though if I am crying b/c I am too scared to kill them or b/c they scare me so much.
My therapist wanted to put me on Luvox and my primary doc said Zoloft. I already have that empty feeling. That is why I started going to therapy. The only emotions I know I can feel right now is anger and hurt. The rest I am numb too. I don't want to keep this empty feeling. I feel so distant from everyone, including myself.

Cecelia117 · 06-11-2006, 01:03 AM

Hi again. I was on Luvox for awhile too and didn't notice any bad side effects. Honestly I am bad with sticking to things, and I really didn't give it much of a chance. With the zoloft I couldn't even cry anymore. I pretty much felt "nothing" all the time. It was weird really. But sometimes I feel like that now, without meds. Anyways I hope you are doing better.

dgold · 06-12-2006, 10:39 PM

honestly, your much better of trying luvox before zoloft. Luvox is alot cleaner drug with less overall side effects.
I would use zoloft or paxil or anafranil as last resort drugs.
Luvox is the gold standard drug for most people and seems to work well for alot of people. Too bad luvox did not work well for me but I found prozac to work best for me.