Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What you need to know about OCD anxiety disorder.
OCD, which is also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, is often seen in people who suffer with unwanted, constant, and intrusive thoughts. These thoughts persist and will not go away, which is the obsessions part of this disorder. The thought also compel the person to perform ritualistic and repeated behaviors over and over again. This is the compulsive part of the disorder.
As an anxiety disorder OCD is treatable. But it should be noted this problem often occurs along with depression and a variety of other anxiety disorders. If left untreated, OCD can become disabling.
For those who receive treatment, many will be able to resume normal daily living. The best treatment option, however, can only be determined by a health care professional.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs most often prescribed for the treatment of OCD. These drugs will increase the levels of neurochemical serotonin that is within the brain. SSRIs work because they selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake that is in the brain. This blocking action takes place at the synapse level, where the brain cells (neurons) connect to one another. Serotonin is a chemical that carries messages from one brain neuron to next.
SSRIs keep serotonin levels at high concentrations within the brain's synapses. They do this because they prevent the introduction of serotonin into the brain's nerve cell which otherwise would be transmitting the impulse. In effect, this basically turns off any new production of serotonin. This allows the serotonin message to come through. Studies suggest that this helps to activate brain cells that may have been deactivated by OCD. In turn, this may be effective in relieving the various symptoms of OCD.
When it comes to side effects, SSRIs have fewer than clomipramine, which are a much older drug that some believe is more effective as a treatment option for OCD. The FDA has approved the following SSRIs for OCD treatment: fluvoxamine (
Luvox),
fluoxetine (
Prozac), sertraline (
Zoloft), paroxetine (
Paxil), citalopram (
Celexa), and escitalopram (
Lexapro).
In some cases, people with OCD may not see improvement with SSRI alone. When that happens, the doctor may also prescribe a neuroleptic medication such as risperidone (
Risperdal), olanzapine (
Zyprexa), or aripiprazole (
Abilify).
The true goal of OCD medical treatment is to control the symptoms using the lowest possible dosage. Because people are different, medications are different. What works for you may not work for the next person. In many cases, it may take several weeks before any improvement is noticed.
Many of those with OCD may have to change medications. It is not uncommon for your doctor to try several medications in order to find the one that will work best for your particular symptoms. The physician may also recommend a combination of medications. These might include
antidepressants and
antipsychotic medications. Combining meds is often effective in controlling symptoms.
SSRI side effects are normally mild. These drugs are usually tolerated well by most patients. Common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, headache, agitation, and insomnia. After a month, these side effects will normally go away. Some of those taking SSRI meds may also encounter sexual side effects. This might include: decreased sexual desire, delayed ability to have an orgasm, or the complete inability to achieve orgasm. A few patients may also experience tremors while taking SSRIs.
If treatment is not received, OCD symptoms can progress until the person's daily life is consumed by them. This can severely restrict their ability to work or stay in relationships. Those with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder may have thoughts of suicide, with one-percent of those actually doing it.
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