Understanding my OCD & coexisting conditions

[soundwave]

hi, been reading few threads, didn't really know where to start in this forum but maybe someone could recommend a thread for me

i have previously been diagnosed with GAD, then finally OCD.. ocd it seems was what was causing severe depression. CBT has helped understand the complications the mind creates with ocd as an anxiety disorder and helped me realise compulsions to rid anxiety only fuel the process, similar to what you say about rumination only fuels the negative thoughts.

the meds helped somewhat initially but their drowsy side effects are too much for me.

the most progress i have made is more recent tho, when i for the first time looked back to childhood to see where the problem might have started. i suddenly realised i need to let go of anxieties that started in childhood if i am to improve further. i feel you internalise anxieties inflicted on you intentionally or not, if left unaware causes sever probs in adulthood. the letting go of which i feel is the next step

cheers
sw

 

[Retired]

Re: Understanding My OCD & Coexisting Conditions

the meds helped somewhat initially but their drowsy side effects are too much for me

Have you reported the drowsiness to your doctor? Depending on how long you have been taking these medications, it's likely you will become acclimated to the them, and the drowsiness will subside; if not your doctor may consider adjusting the dose or even changing the prescription.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

What medications were you taking, soundwave?

 

[soundwave]

chlomipramine

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Clomipramine is an older style tricyclic anti-depressant. I wonder why ytou were prescribed that... were you unable to tolerate the newer SSRIs, in particular Luvox (fluvoxamine) which has been shown to be effective with OCD?

 

[soundwave]

i see, nope haven't heard of that one. il ask to try it next time, is it similar to chlomipramine?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

i see, nope haven't heard of that one. il ask to try it next time, is it similar to chlomipramine?

No. Clomipramine (brand name Anafranil) is a tricyclic antidepressant. Fluvoxamine (brand name Luvox) is an SSRI antidepressant. Both can be used to treat various anxiety disorders as well, including OCD.

 

[soundwave]

makin some progress, gettin diff perspectives from diff therapists and its all gettin there...


when you have constant ocd, right after the first thought hits in the mornin,
is it really possible to cbt your thought, turn the interpretation of it around,
in that tiny moment after you think it?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

when you have constant ocd, right after the first thought hits in the mornin, is it really possible to cbt your thought, turn the interpretation of it around, in that tiny moment after you think it?

With practice, yes - but it does take a lot of practice. Often, the best way to do that is to "stop fighting the thought" - accept it as just your OCD way of worrying about things. It's normal to worry - it's what keeps us safe - but with OCD your worrying creates more anxiety and throws you into a vicious cycle. What you need to do is break that cycle, reframe it so that it has less power over you.

Have you read Brain Lock by Jeffrey M. Schwartz? There's also a followup book by the same author which I haven't yet read myself: Brain Lock: A Four-Step Self Treatment Method to Change Your Brain Chemistry.

 

[soundwave]

k thanks, thats really helpful. just to remind myself that it is actually possible to change your interpretation of the thought (which i guess is the goal of therapy!)

yea i read some of it but was not too keen on it tbh, i liked 'overcoming obsessive thoughts' tho, found it more kinda easier to read and more thorough.

if you don't mind could you explain the four steps? i forgot them

cheers
sw

 

[David Baxter PhD]

See The Four Steps - Dr Jeffrey Schwartz - Brain Lock - Psychlinks Psychology Self-Help & Mental Health Support Forum

 

[soundwave]

excellent...
the steps describe what ive been hoping to do - change the feeling that 'somethings wrong' into a feeling of acceptance -or potentially no feeling, or at least a positive feeling lol

if you think of other thoughts that pop up that arn't obsessive - remember that they do not demand your attention, and there is nothing different betweem thoughts, only out interpretation of them.

so the brain chemistry should hopefully change for good with consistant effort to tame the feeling. or 'urdge'