OCD medicines and treatments

[cc38]

Hello, I am thirty eight and I have had OCD at varying levels all through my life.  Most of the problems that I have concern feelings of being dirty and further contamination if I touch public things.  I am currently taking 150 zoloft, but I don't see any improvements or changes in my OCD feelings.  I was wondering if, maybe for some people, there just isn't any medicine or therapy that can help.  I have been told about behavior therapy, but it scares me too much to try it.  Do you think that I am wasting my time with this medication?  I have tried a few others in the past as well with no help, just side effects.  Are there any other possibilities?

Thank you very much for any responses.  Stephen.

[cc38]

Thank you susieq87 and samm284 for the encouragement and suggestions.
It is much appreciated.

In regards to the questioned that was asked to me about germs, it is definitely more of a feeling than a rational, or evidence based, belief.  Unfortunately, it is an extremely strong feeling; that is, some situations, like a restroom, make me feel extremely dirty and anxious, even if I haven't actually touched anything, and then I feel like I'm going to contaminate everything I touch and make 'the whole world' a dirty place.  Ironically, I am a very rationally oriented person concerning any other aspects of life, but when if comes to the ocd, if 'what I feel' comes in conflict with 'what I know', then what 'what I know' simply doesn't stand a chance.  It seems that 'the heart' is kind-of like the weather--we can try in so many ways to not let it influence our lives, but now and then it's going to remind us who's boss.

Any way, thanks again all.

[samm284]

My eldest son, 25, has  OCD-O.  At 17 he became very depressed (OCD not diagnosed as yet) so went on prozac.  Since then, because of various side-effects (bladder/sexual), his psychiatrist switched him to zoloft, then paxil, effexor, back to zoloft, then prozac, all the while trying to get rid of the side-effects.  They helped his depression, but not his obsessive thoughts.  He tried 'cognitive behavioral therapy', which helped immensely. Yoga & meditation also help. My son decided to go off the SSRIs, and his psychiatrist took him down slowly a year & a half ago, but it wasn't slow enough we figure....a few months later, he began having 'head shocks' (electric shock feeling up the back of the head).  Not common, but they happen.  He's been back on the prozac 20mg ever since.  Blood/urine tests showed last year he had no seratonin left.  His OCD continues....major anxiety if under stress, and the obsessive thoughts, songs in his head.  His theory now is that he needs to boost his dopamine levels, so he's slowly decreasing the prozac (20 one day, 10 the next for a month)....now he's down to 10mg & taking concerta which takes away the head shocks (not too much or it affects his mood). He decided for himself when he realized he had OCD that he's going to take this as a challenge, and that together with his self-monitoring & research helps him.  Sometimes his anxiety is too much (like when a paper is due or he met with a professor & goes over the conversation he had afterwards...major anxiety sets in).  His goal is to get off the prozac, and use cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, & yoga to help with his OCD. He won't know until he gets there.  Reading books like 'A New Earth' by Eckhart Tolle or his book, 'Stillness Speaks', all this helps him to keep a positive attitude.  Hope sharing this helps....keep your chin up!

[susieq87]

I have taken several medications in the past, effexor and now Lexapro.  A lot of my OCD stemmed from anxiety and racing or jumbled thought.  I still have OCD but I have learned to distinguish them as not true or necessary.  Do you believe if you keep doing these things you will stay germ free or is it your mind telling you these things are necessary to prevent germs.  There is always hope.  You are looking for a balance in your thoughts.  Learning something different could help.  Don't close the door on all options.  You ar worthy and if all this is a major problem keep searching for your answers, you have to work for it and change your thinking.  Don't let it all keep you a prisoner.  Take some options offered and if the medication doesn't help look for a change.

[cc38]

Thanks, Salyna.  
I was wondering if any medication or therapy has helped you in some way that you might recommend.

[Salyna]

I don't think you should continue you taking it if it's not doing what it is intended to do.  I'm not sure what other medictions you have taken, but there are several out there.  Zoloft is a general med, mainly for depression.  I would talk to your doctor about changing meds.  There is help for you, don't give up.  I think you should consider the therapy as well.  Good luck!