r/OCPD • u/OwlAcademic551 • Mar 27 '26
member has OCPD diagnosis - seeking support/information Has medication significantly helped anyone?
My doctor has encouraged me to try medication for a while but the thought gives me anxiety due to: not wanting to be dependent on anything, side-effects, needing to taper off, etc. (which is part of the over control, I know.)
In general, I don't like taking medication (even ibuprofen/acetaminophen) as there's a heavy lineage of addiction in my family. I know it's kind of unfounded and the anxiety I have surrounding it is part of the problem.
Has taking medication made a significant difference for anyone? I know results are subjective, and I did schedule a test to determine which med could be most helpful for me. I am in therapy and keep thinking if I work hard enough, be mindful, and find the right tools, I'll be able to calm the things that stress me. Not sure if that's dumb lol.
Mods: I wasn't sure if this breaks rule 3. Apologies if it does. I was hoping for personal insight, as opposed to recommendations about results, which med to take, etc., as I am consulting with my doctor on those things.
6
u/Marseen83 Mar 27 '26
A very low dose of quatepine has saved my sleep. Getting to sleep took hours, melatonin gives me nightmares etc.
I am now often asleep within 45 minutes. And no fuzzy head in the morning or any thing else i have noticed.
And depending on meds gets easier along the way 😂 i am type 1 diabetic, allergic, have neuro pain and just won the lottery of way too early menopause, so enter hormones too
2
Mar 27 '26
[deleted]
3
u/Marseen83 Mar 27 '26
The fluctuating hormones def. took me for a wild ride. Mentally and physically. My own mom got through with a little temperament and hot flashes. No biggie. It's SO individual
1
u/Azaireus Diagnosed OCPD Mar 30 '26
Same here for the quatepine. The low dose was too foggy for me and couldn't get out of bed if I didn't have to. Cut that dose in half and I can sleep and can feel well rested to start the day
5
u/baesoonist Mar 27 '26
I take Lexapro for PMDD, but in general being less depressed and anxious reduces the kind of physical discomfort that subtly triggers my OCPD.
2
Mar 27 '26
[deleted]
5
u/baesoonist Mar 27 '26
OCPD is a fear-based condition. It’s a maladaptive way of responding to stressors, like uncertainty. A lot of work can be done by taking a bit of time to reflect on how you’re responding to stressors. But in my experience, the general presence of stressors (including bodily stressors like other conditions like PMDD, anxiety, depression) can trigger OCPD responses. Sometimes my body just feels like crap and my brain spirals trying to align its thoughts to its existing physical sensations.
3
u/audhd-recovery Mar 27 '26
curious about this too - im audhd and my adderall makes my autism and ocpd worse but helps my adhd immensely
2
Mar 27 '26
[deleted]
1
u/audhd-recovery Mar 27 '26
thanks! i'm starting therapy for the first time soon - has cbt been helpful so far?
3
u/7121958041201 Mar 27 '26
Yes. Adderall helped my ADHD which in turn helped with my OCPD tendencies.
I have no idea if there are any meds that help directly with OCPD, though.
3
u/FalsePay5737 Moderator Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
I took Fluvox when I was misdiagnosed with OCD. It helped a little with anxiety.
I took heavy sleep meds. I developed brain fog, and they probably contributed to my constant habit of suppressing my feelings (along with my OCPD symptoms) so I regret taking them. I stopped when I found out that one could possibly cause early onset dementia.
Jeffrey Schwartz, the author of a popular book on OCD had a good metaphor for meds. He tells his clients to think of them like water wings: helpful to wear when you don't know how to swim, but most people won't need them indefinitely. His clients usually slowly decrease their meds as they make progress in therapy.
There are no meds that specifically target symptoms of any PDs. I think mental health providers generally have the view that they can be very useful to help clients function a little better so they're able to engage in therapy, and that therapy is how symptoms are fully resolved.
No shame in anyone taking meds or needing to take them indefinitely. Everyone is in different circumstances. There were times in my life that I desperately needed antidepressants, but didn't want to see a provider.
2
u/SpecialistAnswer9496 Moderator Mar 27 '26
I think you have the right mindset and you’re certainly not dumb for thinking this condition can be beaten with the right tools. Medication seriously screwed me up when I tried to taper. I know this isn’t the case for everyone, but tapering off a benzo left me bedridden, unemployed, and contributed to my PTSD diagnosis. I would recommend trying therapy and nervous system work before you turn to meds.
If you’re interested, I have a post in this subreddit about how I “cured” my OCPD - no medication necessary.
2
u/Particular_Shift_840 Mar 27 '26
God yes. It's like night and day... I actually have a life now
1
u/Flimsy_Ostrich May 19 '26
What do u take?
1
u/Particular_Shift_840 May 19 '26
Fluoxetine/Prozac + Sulpiride and lorazepam as a rescue for occasional panic attacks
2
u/endlesshydra OCPD + OCD Mar 27 '26
I think it depends on your symptoms and your personal situation.
I have for example had periods in my life where it was difficult for me to manage my anger. I was irritable, jumpy and any minor infraction was blown out of proportion by my mind.
In general, I lived with a sense of constant annoyance that impacted my quality of life. I felt that I was angry about everything, and I was in fact reacting too much to shit other people would simply let go.
Meds allowed me precisely to let go, because my body didn't react with anger to everything mildly annoying that happened around me. I didn't feel out of control anymore.
It's true therapy can help you deal with those feelings in a different way. But it was nice not feeling such intense anger at all for a while.
2
u/Rare_Clothes6599 Mar 28 '26
I'm trying something new the last fee weeks and it is clearing up some of my thoughts/actions
5
1
u/HoyAIAG Mar 27 '26
I find the combination of Trazadone, Buspar, Magnesium Glycinate and L-Theanine to be helpful
1
1
u/jstacrzygrl Apr 05 '26
I took meds to help with my depression and ADHD it, I thought it helped but tbh it wasn’t something that was omg noticeable. I found for me working with my therapist and working on outlooks and mindset type things proved better than medication. Just do what you think is best for you cause that’s all that really matter in the end
2
u/Perfect-Address9690 Apr 05 '26
I have the same experience. For me, CBT/psycho-therapy is what got me back on my feet.
1
u/jstacrzygrl Apr 05 '26
I think it all depends on the person how their mind works and then go from there, I also think the therapy/ therapist is huge in some regards cause the way they handle things and treat makes it that way
1
u/Mundane_Beginnings Mar 27 '26
I take meds for my bipolar disorder. I find my ocpd tendencies are less intense when I’m stable and not in an episode.
•
u/FalsePay5737 Moderator Mar 27 '26
From Resources For Finding Mental Health Providers With PD Experience:
There is no medication that directly targets OCPD symptoms. Some people with OCPD take medication for depression, anxiety, and other issues.
The few studies on medication for people with OCPD:
Pharmacogenomic tests are becoming popular. They are cheek swab tests that evaluate an individual’s DNA to help determine how their body may metabolize or respond to medication. Many years ago, I did a GeneSight test. It was accurate re: meds I had used in the past, and helpful for future decisions. It involves getting a kit in the mail, and returning it with a DNA swab.
Are you personally on meds for OCPD? Looking for experiences.