OCD (intrusive thoughts) scared to take medication

[Hylo46]

Hi all,

I have been diagnosed with OCD and Anxiety. It's great fun, NOT! Intrusive thoughts are widespread that I will hurt someone etc, don't feel comfortable listing the exact thoughts, but they are debilitating like many of you know. I have been prescribed medicaiton and of course, have read that side effects, one that stood out was impulsiveness, can cause you to be impulsive... this has scared the crap out of me and I haven't been able to start the meds, it's my worst nightmare, I can't get the fear out of my head that what happens if the meds force me to be impulsive and act on my terrible intrusive thoughts, it could be anything, hurt my niece or nephew - lose control I guess. Does anyone have a similar worry or do SSRI make you lose control?

thanks!

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Hylo46,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for posting!

I don't have OCD, but I have had my fair share of trying a number of different medications for a number of different things, so I can see where you are coming from. The side effects can be a scary list!

One thing that has helped me a lot in the past is talking to the pharmacist; they know so much about the medication that you won't find on the info sheet. Sometimes side effects will be like a 0.05%, but they have to put it on the form anyway even though the risk is so low. Finding out what the chances are may help put your mind at ease that you won't experience this.

The thing with OCD is that it's not the thoughts themselves but the obsession of them and why these thoughts exist. Although the thoughts may be disturbing, they are just thoughts. I can imagine that the idea of acting out on these thoughts are maybe frightening to you but trying to remind yourself that they are just thoughts can help.

Also the idea of impulsivity can seem alarming (doing things without consequences) but it does not necessarily mean major things either; other medications can cause this side effect and that can often be quite minor - such as interrupting conversations, energy levels, inattention or fidgeting. If you decide to start the medication, or even if you have concerns about it - I really encourage you to chat with your GP (or Psychiatrist) again.

[CheeseSlices]

Medication made my OCD far far worse. It took years to figure it out. Now that I am off it I am able to observe the thoughts - but this was not possible while on the medication. I have acted on impulse and intrusive thoughts (self harm) it gets me locked up more often than not. You have right to be worried, there are others that worry (and experience) the same thing. I am thankful I have access to the internet to have found others like me (and you). I dont think I can give out specific sites but there are a few if you know or have the brain function to search. Usually I find people coming to this information on their own, are much more open to that possibility.

I have found peace since stopping that horrid drug.