Posted by Phidippus on October 28, 2009, at 19:54:00
In reply to Re: Could use all advice and experiences, posted by Monica L on October 28, 2009, at 18:55:03
I'm really concerned that you have OCD. Your compulsion-the C in OCD-is to worry. If not OCD, you seem to have a great deal of anxiety, either of which is making you very depressed. Another confusing fact is you may not be depressed, just too worried to enjoy life.
First line treatment of OCD is ERP (Exposure and Ritual Prevention). Your ritual is to worry. Finding a good therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders, OCD and ERP will help you manage your anxiety so you don't get so depressed. Here's a link to find a therapist in your state: http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.php?state=NC&spec=15. Finding a therapist who incorporates humor in their practice is a big bonus.
ECT is not generally recommended for anxiety disorders, however your depressive symptoms may have called for it. If you don't learn how to manage your anxiety, you're just going to end up in the same hole, regardless of what medication you take.
In treating OCD, SSRIs are first line treatment and are augmented with atypical antipsychotics. If the SSRIs don't work, other antidepressants are used, including MAOIs, but they are far down the list. Other augmentation strategies exist. SSRIs are usually prescribed in doses twice the amount prescribed for depression and take longer to work.
Bottom line is, you are going to have to go at this two ways: with therapy specifically aimed at managing your anxiety and with medication. Its work, but you can feel better.
If medications and therapy don't work, well there's always deep brain stimulation and psychosurgery. Yay!
P
poster:Phidippus
thread:923128
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091021/msgs/923215.html