How to Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With SSRIs
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the psychotropic drug class of choice when it comes to treating obsessive compulsive disorders. Known by such recognized names as Luvox, Prozac, Zoloft and ****, SSRIs have been on the market for decades and are used to treat a wide variety of mental conditions. If you or someone you love has obsessive-compulsive disorder, knowing how to treat it with SSRIs can be helpful.
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Instructions
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Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With SSRIs
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Visit a psychiatrist to find out which SSRI drug is right for you. There are many different SSRIs, each one with its own particular set of potential benefits as well as potential side effects. Your psychiatrist will prescribe an SSRI for you based on your symptoms, age, weight, other medical conditions and tolerance for medication.
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Expect to start out with a small dose. This is normal, as your psychiatrist will want to see how you respond to the drug and whether any side effects appear. If you tolerate the drug well, the psychiatrist may increase the dose after a few weeks or months. However, if your symptoms begin to disappate while on the smaller dose, the psychiatrist may opt to keep you at that level.
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Take your medication exactly as your psychiatrist prescribes. This means more than just taking the prescribed amount. It also means taking it at the time of day your psychiatrist wants as well as taking it with food if that has been indicated.
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Report any side effects to your psychiatrist immediately. Side effects could mean a change in dosage is necessary, or a change in medication altogether.
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Realize you may have to try several different SSRIs before finding the right one for you. This is not unusual. In fact, most patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder go through two or more SSRIs before hitting on the one that finally makes them feel better. Be patient and keep an open mind and the process will go a lot more smoothly for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not expect results overnight. While SSRIs can effectively treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in many patients, they are notoriously slow to work. Consistently taking an SSRI for a period of two to three months is typical before benefits may start to be seen.
Most SSRI side effects are mild enough that you can wait until your next appointment with your psychiatrist to report them. However, SSRIs can sometimes cause psychotic reactions in certain people. If this happens to you, call your psychiatrist immediately. You may need to go to the emergency room. Your psychiatrist will be able to tell you if this is necessary.
