What brain chemical is responsible for ocd and what meds help?

[Kathym1957]

I have many ocd issues.  I wash my hands probably 50 times a day.  I have a lot of debt because I order things I do not need.  I hoard food, because there have been times when I have been so broke that I had no maney for any.   Every night, I get up and recheck to make sure I locked the doors.  I have animals and I am getting to the point where I do not want them near me because of their germs.  I never use public restrooms and also do not use money because of the germ issue.  At one time I was on Wellbutrin SR and it seemed to help, but then I got switched to generic and it no longer worked.  Does anyone know if ocd is a norephenepherine, seratonin, or dopamine problem? What medicines have the greatest efficacy?
  

[Confused about HIV risk]

Certain personal beliefs help me from time to time.  But meds, I don't think they can, at least not for me.  For others they may work.

[Kathym1957]

Thanks for your comments.  I agree with confused.  I have been experimenting with meds for 20+ years now.   I have been on several SSRIs and NDRI and an NRI.  I had the best luck with the NDRI.  I was just wondering what meds had helped others.

[Confused about HIV risk]

It's the age we live in.  Contradictory information from many different sources.

[moonflower13]

Hi,

I've read most theories point to a serotonin unbalance, that's why medication called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) is usually the most prescribed for OCD. I was on one for a while and it helped a lot.

[Leah22]

I am studying psychology right now, and I have also been diagnosed with OCD. From what I have learned and what my psychiatrist has told me, it is very hard to tell exactly what causes OCD. It is believed that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain of someone with OCD, however that has not been proved. Like many psychiatric illnesses, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. There are many meds that can help with OCD. Since it is an anxiety disorder, many anti-anxiety meds can help it. Also, many anti-depressants can help as well, such as prozac, which helped me a lot. Everyone is different though, and sometimes it takes a few tries to figure out what med will help you. Good luck.