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OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder/Prozac for OCD
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I have a question. I am new to this site. I had been on Prozac for about 9 years and it was wonderful. It almost totally alleviated all of my OCD symptoms. Well, I was incredibly stupid and thought I no longer needed medication and weaned off of Prozac last October. Needless to say, my OCD came back full force (worse this time around) in March of this year. I honestly thought I was going to die. Well, after a try on Lexapro which made me tired and more depressed I went back on Prozac. I started on 20 mg eight weeks ago, went up to 40 mg six weeks ago, and now have been on 60 mg for 2 1/2 weeks. The last time I was on Prozac 40 mg the entire time. Well, I am really scared. Sometimes I feel like I am feeling better and at other times I feel awful. I know increasing the dose brings increased anxiety, etc., but should I wait with the 60 mg for an extended period of time or do you think Prozac is not working for me this time????
I want this to work again so badly. I know the meds work because it worked for 9 years. I also know I can feel better because I did feel great. Please help me!!!!!!
OCD is not something that you get better from . You do not et bettewr from diabetes or heart disease or many other illnesses. Of course stopping medication without consulting your doctor is never appropriate. If the prozac was working for you and continues to work then stay on it. Do not take anything new if the tried and true medicine works for you. All medicines of this nature can take up to 6 weeks or more to show improvement as a level needs to build in your blood. This cannot be hurried. Your body naturally tries to filter out any foreign substance which a drug is. You need to consult back with the psychiatrist and keep him or her informed. You may need something like Xanx)alprazolam) or Valium(diazepam) for anxiety but take the smallest dose possible and try to learn to adjust to it so you do not need to take it also. OCD is a lifelong condition and you are from being alone with having OCD. You as i said can never abruptly stop taking medicine. Some persons with high blood pressure do because they feel all right and the result is often a catastrophe.
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Answers by Expert:
John
Expertise
I am only too familiar with the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) formerly neurosis. I understand the various treatments available and medication therapies being used and other co-existent problems along side OCD. I can help you identify it in yourself and in others and where to get help.
Experience
I correctly identified it in a family member when it was still though to be a rare illness. I later identified it in my daughters classmate and some co-workers. One of which kept being fired because of it. I have watched the progression of the disease and the areas it creeps into and the effect of medications on it on a person. If you see it in a person especially a child you need to intervene quickly. I did and now the one child just graduated magna cum laude at a state university.
Publications
I would suggest a separate heading for this disorder under the heading of Obessive Compulsive Disorder.
Education/Credentials
BA in Psychology
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