Drugs to Help With OCD

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a condition that plagues millions of Americans at varying levels on a daily basis. Many different types of treatments have been used to help alleviate OCD symptoms. Although talk therapy can be effective in reducing some effects of OCD, many people need medication to keep it from interfering in their daily lives. The type of medication and the frequency of its use depend upon a patient's level of OCD as well as his medical history.

Determining the Right Medications for Your OCD

• Before determining which medication is best for you, it is imperative that you see a qualified therapist or physician who can quantify your OCD. For many, cognitive therapy is used effectively and may eliminate the need for medication.

  As described by Helpguide.org, OCD is comprised of obsessions (seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, images or impulses that occur over and over again in your mind) and compulsions (behaviors or rituals that you feel driven to act out repeatedly, typically performed in an attempt to make obsessions go away). Cognitive therapy is talk therapy that focuses on the way an individual thinks. The goal of cognitive therapy within an OCD patient is to recognize obsessions, discover what triggers it and re-train the brain.

Common Medications Used

• When OCD was first recognized, many physicians knew of no way to effectively treat its symptoms. As with most psychiatric conditions, physicians prescribed medications to simply numb the patient. Anxiety.com reports that sedatives such as benzodiazepines, including Xanax and Ativan, can effectively treat the panic associated with reoccurring, obsessive thoughts, but their addiction potential and unwanted side effects ultimately have outweighed their efficacy with OCD.

  Sedatives, however, still are prescribed for "breakthrough," or whenever your OCD becomes so strong that it is preventing you from completing everyday tasks. These medications should not be taken on a regular basis.

  Antidepressants, such as tricyclics, have become the most prescribed medications for treating OCD. These medications are called SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, because they alter brain chemistry into maintaining a higher level of serotonin. In fact, Psychcentral.com states that "the only medications that have been consistently shown effective in treating OCD are antidepressants that interact with the brain chemical serotonin."

  For OCD that is resilient to treatment with antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, potent medications that affect all three neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) as well as other chemicals within the body, sometimes are prescribed. Although they are effective, they have several negative side effects and can cause potentially fatal interactions when taken in conjunction with other medications and even some foods.

Tips

• Whenever diagnosed with any medical disorder or any kind, education and knowledge of the specific disorder is vital. An excellent resource for OCD is the International OCD Foundation's website. The site provides a wealth of information in layman's terms. Before taking any medication, learn of its side effects and potential interactions with other medications.