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OCD brought on by ecstasy use!
Hi there everyone!
For the past 5 months I have been experencing constant intrusive thoughts relating to stabbing. I just have an image of stabbing in my head for most of the day even though I am 100% certain I do not want to stab anyone. I also have mad thoughts, like for example, when I am driving I get images of what would happen if I drove into oncoming traffic. Looking back I can see that I probably was also a bit depressed before these thoughts started but at the time did not realise it. As you can imagine these thoughts are really starting to get my down and affect my ability to perform at work. I have been taking sertraline (50mg) for about 4 weeks and have also started CBT and have found that both of these have helped but thoughts are still with me albeit a bit more muffled.
I am sure my problems with intrusive thoughts have been caused by using ecstasy. I am now 23 but between 15 to 22 I took about 40 ecstasy pills and also some MDMA powder about 5 times with the last occasion being on February, 2009. I also took cocaine on about 20 occasions and have also smoked cannabis regularly although since April 2009 I have abstained from all drugs and alcohol, except for tobacco. I now know of the link between ecstasy use and low levels of seretonin in the brain and am aware that low levels of seretonin are a cause of intrusive thoughts. Of course I wish I had researched this earlier and also wish I had done things differently but of course I can't turn back time.
I wanted to ask has anyone else had a similar experience to myself? With time and healthy living can the effects of ecstasy on seretonin in the brain be reversed? Is there any tips anyone has to help me get better from this?
Anyones advice would be most appreciated!
Cheers
Gooner
For the past 5 months I have been experencing constant intrusive thoughts relating to stabbing. I just have an image of stabbing in my head for most of the day even though I am 100% certain I do not want to stab anyone. I also have mad thoughts, like for example, when I am driving I get images of what would happen if I drove into oncoming traffic. Looking back I can see that I probably was also a bit depressed before these thoughts started but at the time did not realise it. As you can imagine these thoughts are really starting to get my down and affect my ability to perform at work. I have been taking sertraline (50mg) for about 4 weeks and have also started CBT and have found that both of these have helped but thoughts are still with me albeit a bit more muffled.
I am sure my problems with intrusive thoughts have been caused by using ecstasy. I am now 23 but between 15 to 22 I took about 40 ecstasy pills and also some MDMA powder about 5 times with the last occasion being on February, 2009. I also took cocaine on about 20 occasions and have also smoked cannabis regularly although since April 2009 I have abstained from all drugs and alcohol, except for tobacco. I now know of the link between ecstasy use and low levels of seretonin in the brain and am aware that low levels of seretonin are a cause of intrusive thoughts. Of course I wish I had researched this earlier and also wish I had done things differently but of course I can't turn back time.
I wanted to ask has anyone else had a similar experience to myself? With time and healthy living can the effects of ecstasy on seretonin in the brain be reversed? Is there any tips anyone has to help me get better from this?
Anyones advice would be most appreciated!
Cheers
Gooner
hey, so OCD is a biological disorder caused either by genetics or viral, such as untreated strep. So the drug use didn't cause the OCD. You probably had a very mild form of OCD and the drug use made it flare up. OCD can flare up at different points in your life.
I take a high dose of Prozac in order to keep my serotonin level up. Any effects of ecstasy on the brain is reversed over time but your OCD will not go away. Keep up the CBT and if the medicine is working then keep using that too. But the CBT is what will allow you to get a handle on your intrusive thoughts and compulsions, the medicine just makes the CBT easier by keeping anxiety down.
Hope this helps. I've been plagued by OCD my whole life so I know how horrible it can be. Best of Luck
I take a high dose of Prozac in order to keep my serotonin level up. Any effects of ecstasy on the brain is reversed over time but your OCD will not go away. Keep up the CBT and if the medicine is working then keep using that too. But the CBT is what will allow you to get a handle on your intrusive thoughts and compulsions, the medicine just makes the CBT easier by keeping anxiety down.
Hope this helps. I've been plagued by OCD my whole life so I know how horrible it can be. Best of Luck
Hey mate!
Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. Do you really think taking the Sertraline is a waste of time? I have found that it has helped reduce my anxiety at present anyway.
How long do you reckon until you start to feel better again? Is it a matter of months or years. I've recently started working again and found that I feel much better for being busy. It must help to keep my mind occupied and keep the thoughts at bay.
Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. Do you really think taking the Sertraline is a waste of time? I have found that it has helped reduce my anxiety at present anyway.
How long do you reckon until you start to feel better again? Is it a matter of months or years. I've recently started working again and found that I feel much better for being busy. It must help to keep my mind occupied and keep the thoughts at bay.
Hey, i just came out of that position of being depressed without knowing it, then i cured myself until recently when i fuked up by going to far and having to much fun and snorting alot of cocaine which made OCD/ADD and my serotonin all fuked again.
But dude, pills will never be the answer and they wil never take away the original problem. Try something herbal or meditiating, pills will *** it up in the end , especially with all the **** you done!
I heard you can gain serotonon back but its more difficult with of course, OCD beacuase u cant help how the thoughts and when they come in play. So i know a real good cure which works for me and its knowing exactly when to make yourself feel good. And focusing on it. Working out, eating healthy and using krill oil will help alot. This is from experience, not doctor advice. But it always works for me, and i am seeing the permanent sane happiness i once had again. And yeahh all the thoughts about hurting somone or really wanting to f*$% **** up by head on collision are still here. I tell myself that it is not my fault and its normal, becuase eventually it will fade. So keep focused on who you are going to become.
If that helps, which it does for me.
L8r
But dude, pills will never be the answer and they wil never take away the original problem. Try something herbal or meditiating, pills will *** it up in the end , especially with all the **** you done!
I heard you can gain serotonon back but its more difficult with of course, OCD beacuase u cant help how the thoughts and when they come in play. So i know a real good cure which works for me and its knowing exactly when to make yourself feel good. And focusing on it. Working out, eating healthy and using krill oil will help alot. This is from experience, not doctor advice. But it always works for me, and i am seeing the permanent sane happiness i once had again. And yeahh all the thoughts about hurting somone or really wanting to f*$% **** up by head on collision are still here. I tell myself that it is not my fault and its normal, becuase eventually it will fade. So keep focused on who you are going to become.
If that helps, which it does for me.
L8r
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