OCD Action

Twitchy
Member

i've booked my docs appointment to see about going on meds.I wasn't diagnosed by the GP as having OCD, it was self diagnosed and confirmed by my counsellor,do u think this will be a problem with my GP?

Mon Dec 12 2011 18:47:55 #
slogsweep
Member

Hi Twitchy, at first I was diagnosed as having severe depression and was put on meds, but the moment I asked about OCD, I was asked to mention what made me think I had OCD. I said intrusive thoughts, constant checking and the odd contamination fear and my dosage was doubled instantly. I think self-diagnosis is important.

If your GP is any good he or she will allow you to go on meds, they will be perfectly aware that you need medication for OCD. If not, see someone more competent.

Best wishes and let us know how it goes,

Slog

Mon Dec 12 2011 20:07:46 #
Twitchy
Member

Thanks Slogsweep,just think i should try them coz i need all the support i can get.I've been struggling for long enough now.Thank u for yr support and advice.

Mon Dec 12 2011 20:34:54 #
Unregistered

Hi Twitchy,

you're doing all the right things.

Here are some links to information packs that are on the OCD Action website:

GP Card:

http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/files/2010/03/GP-Card-v04.pdf

NICE Guidelines for OCD:

http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/files/2009/09/nice-cg031-publicinfo.pdf

What is OCD:

http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/files/2011/02/What-Is-Obsessive.pdf

Medication for OCD:

http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/files/2011/02/Medication-for-OCD.pdf

Assessment and Diagnosis:

http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/files/2011/02/Assessment-and-Diagnosis.pdf

In particular, read (and print off) the "GP Card" document. You can take this with you when you go to see your GP.

These information packs are brilliant. Make sure you at least take a look at some of them.

There's no predicting how much or how little your GP will know about OCD. Some will know a lot; other GP's won't have a clue. That's when these information packs can be invaluable.

If you look at the NICE Guidelines (and I would recommend that you do), you'll see that anti-depressants, and a course of CBT, are basically the only two things proven to work on OCD, so far. So medication is one of the two best treatments found for OCD so far.

Have a frank and honest discussion with your GP, as a therapist cannot prescribe medication for you. Make sure that you get the message across to your GP that you believe you are suffering from OCD. (And if the therapist backed this up, make sure you tell the GP this.)

Listen carefully to what the GP says about medications. There are various different anti-depressants on the market. (I'm on Fluoxetine.) You can check the information pack about medication for OCD; it lists recommended drugs.

If you are also depressed, make sure you explain this to the GP. (Some anti-depressants are prescribed for both depression and OCD.) Also, if you have -- or suspect you might have -- any other conditions or disorders in addition to OCD (some of us do), then try to discuss that with the GP as well.

The attached links are brilliant. Try to read them if you get a chance.

Remember: the GP is your ally and your friend. He is one of your biggest allies in the fight against your OCD. So be honest with him if you can; he's on your side.

I hope it goes well for you.

Mon Dec 12 2011 21:09:14 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Twitchy, I agree with what's being said here too... I'm on fluoxetine same as Londoner, and it is good stuff, it works well, and you should hopefully find that whatever is the drug of choice from your GP, things will in their good time, get better for you... Also ask about being referred for a course of CBT... There's probably a waiting list, so the sooner you get your name in, the better... wishing you all the best...
wannabe

Mon Dec 12 2011 21:41:31 #
slogsweep
Member

Yes Twitchy just to add before I leave, I'm on fluoxetine and it's done me the world of good. Since upping my dose to 40mg after a period of 20mg, I had a few discomforting days but from then on have improved markedly and have a good chunk of my life back .

Saying that I know of people on Zoloft and other SSRI's that are improving too .

Whatever happens, good luck and I'm sure you'll be understood. You might feel worse for a few days while the meds kick in but after that the road to recovery begins.

Best wishes & let us know,

Slog

Mon Dec 12 2011 21:50:19 #
Twitchy
Member

Thanks Slogsweep and wannabe,got to say i'm a bit nervous,but it's got to bedone.I have been having CBT on and off for 2 years so don' t know why i am re lapsing so badly,does that normally happpen?

Mon Dec 12 2011 22:51:10 #
slogsweep
Member

I haven't had CBT yet so I can't say, but I do get plenty of setbacks and relapses when I try and do it myself. I wish I could say more. I think we all get setbacks and relapses to be honest, CBT or not,

Best wishes

Slog

Tue Dec 13 2011 8:59:28 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Twitchy, Hi Slog, I did CBT a couple of years ago, and I have relapsed badly, so it seems to me that this does happen... It's like we have the basic knowledge of how to try and face things, but it can all go wrong somehow... It is less successful when you practice on your own, I'm desperate to get back into it, and everyday of waiting seems to make it worse...
wannabe

Tue Dec 13 2011 10:13:20 #
wannabefree
Member

It is like we need a refresher course every so often...

Tue Dec 13 2011 10:17:24 #
Twitchy
Member

Thank you so much for the links Londoner, just printing them off to read now.

Tue Dec 13 2011 19:18:59 #