Re: Hypochondriasis

Posted By julie on May 26, 1999 at 09:54:04
Hi- I am a 35 year old female on 200 mg. Luvox for OCD (hypochondriasis) The med has helped me return to just about normal.  Do you think I should still go to therapy 2X per month?  I have come to acknowledge my hypochondriasis is a result of deep seeded guilt about past events in my life (dropping out of college Sr. year).  Is therapy helpful for OCD?

[Jody__0__0]

Posted By Jody on May 26, 1999 at 19:22:11
I too suffer from OCD with hypochondria.  I personally prefer therapy to meds because I have learned some amazing things about gaining control over the flow of my thoughts.  Unless you want to or plan to stay on meds for the rest of your life, therapy will give you the cognitive strength to not be so frightened of OCD without your meds.

You mentioned learning your reasons for your OCD.  In my own research and therapy I discovered that uncovering meanings and symbolism behind OCD isn't beneficial in helping control it.  In other words, that form of traditional psychotherapy is somewhat a waste of time and maybe that's why you don't feel your therapy is necessary.  The main thing behind OCD therapy is not learning the reasons, but learning to find a comfort level with whatever your thoughts are.  If that is not something you touched on in therapy, I strongly recommend it.  I never thought therapy would help me, and I was amazed at what I was able to accomplish with the right thought techniques.

[Bernadete]

Posted By Bernadette on May 28, 1999 at 07:53:54
Even though I have not been officially diagnosed as of yet, my therapist has told me that there are no meds for hypochondrias.  There is not a day that goes by where I am not sure that illness I have and will it kill me?  This has been going on over two years.  This has taken over my life and I don't believe I will ever be happy again.  How does this medication that you are taking make you feel?  I'm on Serozene and it does not seem to help, I am also taking .5 mg a day of Xanax but don't want to stay on it the rest of my life.  Please respond and good luck to you.










Follow Ups: