Treating OCD with Antidepressants
Rx Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be treated effectively with antidepressants for many patients.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a devastating psychological illness that falls under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. One treatment option for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is medication. Antidepressants are one type of prescription drugs that can effectively treat the symptoms of OCD. Not all antidepressants are helpful for OCD patients, though.
People with OCD struggle with obsessions - which are recurring and distressing thoughts, fears, or images, and compulsions - which are urges to perform certain rituals or routines in order to prevent the obsessive thoughts or make them go away. Common obsessions include a fear of germs and a fear of harming someone else, like a young child. Common compulsions include repeated hand-washing, counting things, repeating actions, and cleaning. Certain antidepressants can help relieve these symptoms.
Antidepressants for Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:
- Luvox (fluvoxamine)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
- Paxil (paroxetine)
- Anafranil (clomipramine)
These five antidepressants work on the neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is responsible for mood, emotion, sleep, and appetite. Anafranil is from a class of drugs called tricyclics, or SRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The other four prescription medications are from a newer class of antidepressants called SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The SSRIs tend to have fewer side effects as a general rule, but if they are not found to be effective in treating a patient's OCD symptoms, the older drug Anafranil may be successful.
Common Side Effects of the SSRIs
- Nausea
- Inability to sit still
- Sleepiness or insomnia
- Heightened sense of energy
- Lower sex drive
- Sexual dysfunction
These side effects are generally tolerated by patients who find them easier to cope with than the symptoms of their Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Sleep disturbances may be treated with complementary therapy or other medications. Decreased sex drive and sexual dysfunction may also be treated with an increasing number of drugs that are formulated to affect libido and sexual performance.
Side Effects of Anafranil
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Racing heart
- Memory problems
- Poor concentration
- Problems urinating
- Weight gain
Again, many OCD patients find the side effects of Anafranil to be preferable to the rituals related with their obsessions and compulsions. Dry mouth can be dealt with by drinking more water, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy. Men who find that Anafranil causes problems with urination can talk to their doctor about possible treatments.
Mild forms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder may be treated successfully with psychotherapy, but moderate to severe OCD generally requires prescription drugs in order to control its symptoms. Use of antidepressants as described above can help patients gain control of their symptoms and make psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, more effective.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with your physician. For more information about OCD and antidepressants, visit MedlinePlus or biopsychiatry.com.
