After an OCD diagnosis, the first line of treatment will often consist of medications aimed at addressing the symptoms of the disorder and managing the daily intrusive thoughts OCD can cause. With the current advancements in OCD meds treatment, many people consider OCD medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes to be the most effective way to treat symptoms and obtain relief. Learning about the workings of medications, their advantages, and their place in treatment can provide a sense of control to people who are trying to take charge of their mental health.
Introduction to OCD and Its Impact on Daily Life
Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves unwanted and disturbing thoughts along with the repetitiveness of completing a task in a certain way, to the ruling obsession. OCD can take the form of a variety of chronic mental health disorders. The most common include contamination disturbances, and compulsive checking, counting, or mental tasks. Cope with OCD by collapsing thoughts, however, paradoxically, the disorder can cause distress in an escalating manner. Each of the compulsive tasks will often become an obsession, and the person suffering from the disorder will be unable to perform simple tasks.
The way OCD manifests in individuals may differ but affects multiple facets in terms of relationships, work, and personal aspirations. The emotional impact can include feelings of isolation, frustration, and potentially depression. Those with more severe obsessions and compulsions may have therapies complemented with medications, which in some cases can even become critical in the past of symptom management.
Common Medications Prescribed for OCD
Medication is often an important component of treating OCD. Prescribed antidepressants, more specifically the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) class of medications, are typically aimed in the treatment of OCD for the purpose of restructuring brain chemistry. The OCD medications do increase the brain’s serotonin, which in turn stabilizes mood and decreases obsessions.
Commonly prescribed SSRIs are fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, and fluvoxamine. In certain cases where the patient is unresponsive, clinicians do escalate treatment by adding atypical antipsychotics, specifically risperidone or aripiprazole, in sub-therapeutic dosages.
These medications will not “cure” OCD but are effective in decreasing the intensity and obsessions of compulsive behavior which makes it easier for the individuals to attend therapy. This can help the person obtain more control over their everyday life.
How OCD Medications Work
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for controlling mood, anxiety, and behaviors. OCD is associated with higher anxiety and obsessive behaviors with a mal-distributed Serotonin concentration. serotonin- OCD medications assist in the regulation of the serotonin concentration in the brain.
When the Serotonin concentration is higher, the neural communication is improved, and the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are diminished. However, the medications need to be taken consistently for a few weeks so that they can reach therapeutic levels.
The brain is the most complex organ in the body, which is why OCD medications differ from one person to another to achieve the most desirable effects with the least adverse effects.
Benefits and Potential Side Effects of OCD Medications
The most important advantages of the use of OCD medications is the decrease in anxiety and obsessive thoughts. OCD medications assist in the control of compulsive behaviors that the patient is forced to be in, which enables the patient to feel more engaged with the therapy. The patient can also improve socially, and improve their productivity in their work.
Medications do more than help intrusive thoughts disappear. They help people sleep, help people be less irritable, and help people feel more balanced emotionally. With less compulsive behavior, people will be able to be more geared to long-term healing rather than focusing on relief all the time.
Medications do have side effects, and they do vary from person to person. People do report nausea and headaches, dizziness, and sexual side effects when they first start taking SSRIs, and these are really just mild short-term side effects. They will pass. However, some side effects will need to be discussed with a doctor, such as increased anxiety, and mood swings.
Most of the time, the benefits will be greater than the challenges. This is of course, when all the challenges are calculated. It is important to not just stop taking the medication, because this will result in exposed relapse OCD symptoms, or will have withdrawal effects.
Integrating Medication with Therapy for Optimal Results
Medications for OCD only help with symptoms. To really improve, therapy is really essential and it is important to do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is a specialized form of CBT.
CBT encourages people to rethink faulty thinking, and ERP is designed to encourage people to face their anxiety in a safe and controlled way. Patients gradually learn how to tolerate anxiety and discomfort without using compulsive behaviors. With therapy, medications can improve efficacy, as medications provide a way to calm down the obsessive thoughts, and this allows the patients to focus on the more intense therapy exercises and practices.
Having therapy and medications provides integrated therapy which gives both temporary relief and the tools to cope in the future. While therapy focuses on the cognitive and behavioral shifts that patients can make, medications provide a way to calm down and stabilize.
Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions about OCD Medications
People often avoid medications for OCD, and this is often due to a misconception. The medications prescribed for OCD are safe and non addictive. Medications prescribed for OCD, like SSRIs and SNRIs, are unlike addictive medications in that they are used to balance chemicals in the brain instead of causing the user to have a physical craving for a substance.
People often avoid medications for OCD due to a misconception that the medications will cause a person to lose their personality. These medications reduce intrusive thoughts and anxiety in a way that allows the patient to express their unfiltered self. Patients often report feeling more like their true selves with OCD medications.
It’s also not true that medications have to be taken forever. While some people do need to continue long-term maintenance, others taper off their medication under medical supervision after therapy and coping strategies have been established. The decision to stop or continue medication should always be made with a mental health professional.
In the end, taking medication for OCD isn’t a weakness, it’s a form of self-care and empowerment. Mental health disorders are medical conditions and seeking help shows courage and a true dedication to getting better.
Future Developments in OCD Medication Research
Research on treating OCD is constantly evolving, and with it, new possibilities. Scientists are studying new medications that work more quickly and new methods that focus on the specific brain receptors that cause obsessive thoughts and anxiety.
Another exciting area of research involves glutamate modulators. These early-stage compounds may help OCD patients more quickly and with fewer side effects. Additionally, researchers are studying ketamine for OCD, which may help patients who do not respond to standard medications.
There are many efforts underway aiming for personalized medicine—using an individual’s genetics and biology to find the ideal response for the OCD treatment medications. This might help provide more personalized and effective treatments and shorten the time it takes to determine the best medications.
The innovations and research focus on the future of OCD treatment. This draws hope for patients as many new treatment and management strategies will become more effective and focused for the patients’ needs.
Medications for OCD are imperative for helping patients manage the disorder. They are not a replacement for therapy as that is the base of any long term recovery, but medications provide additional assistance. They help rearrange faulty brain circuitry, improve psychosocial functioning, and boost overall wellbeing. Thoughtful use of medications under a clinician’s guidance is life transforming and recovering for many.
Shine Mental Health aims to help patients gain an understanding of their unique needs and treatment options to best assist them. If you or your loved one has OCD and needs help, our team is ready, willing, and able to assist you on your healing journey.