Medication for intrusive thoughts?

[SaltyLemons]

Hello, i am very resistant to going on antidepressants and wondered if anybody had any experience on any other meds for intrusive thoughts? Many thanks!

Sertraline is an effective antidepressant for anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I know you said not an antidepressant but it worked for me

I'm put off by reports you get worse before you get better, and I really can't afford to get worse

It’s a complete misnomer that they are called anti-depressants. Sertraline is highly effective at eliminating intrusive thoughts and is technically used for many things other than as an antidepressant. It’s even highly effective for irritable bowel syndrome.

Would you use medication for diabetes? Having low serotonin is very similar to having an insulin imbalance. It would be absolutely crazy to deny your body diabetes medication so why would you be against something that regulates your neurotransmitters?

Therapy.

I agree - setraline (not used it but many friends have.) It has a gentler profile than most antidepressants and it targets anxiety and intrusive thoughts.

Mine went when I was on citalopram and never returned. Ten years on, I don't get them. It seemed to kill them off.

If you titrate up very slowly on Sertraline, you won't get worse first.

Sadly it has to get worse before it gets better, but it's 2-3 weeks versus a lifetime. EMDR can also be helpful if it's trauma related.

A family member whose OCD went into overdrive during pregnancy has started taking sertraline or citalopram, can't remember which. It has revolutionised her life - she's relaxed, free to enjoy her baby, and no longer has to expend daily energy on managing intrusive thoughts.

Gosh really? I struggle to accept that there's something wrong with my brain as my thoughts keep me safe. As much as i can be. But I'm miserable and exhausted. Therapy doesn't change real life. And that's the other reason I struggle with the idea of ADs : they won't change reality. But I know I catastrophise and I'd like to get a handle on it. And I can't bear to "see" what I see anymore. I've resisted for a long time...maybe I should give in. I just wondered if there might be another route

Fluoxetine helped my DD and she went to 20mg with hardly any issues. Maybe had the occasional headache at first.
She didn't find it made the thoughts worse. Just suddenly it was like she couldn't hold on to them anymore they still came but then just drifted off and slowly stopped.

I was you. I gave in and I'm so glad I did! Therapy is good but sometimes not enough.

I'm off the meds now and feel much more balanced and healthy than those hellish years before.

I've been on sertraline for 8 years.. had other AD'S before.. for last 30 years.. they didn't stop my intrusive thoughts.. but EMDR has.. finally after having counselling for 30 years...including CBT...been in psychiatric hospitals.
I'm still on sertraline for chemical depression.
I guess it depends how bad the thoughts are.
Sertraline is well known for very vivid dreaming.

ADs don't change reality, no. But they do make it a hell of a lot easier to deal with! I have been on and off SSRIs for 15 years and honestly don't think I'd be here without them. It's always been anxiety, catastrophising, intrusive throats and excessive worry that have been my problems. I've been on Sertraline, Fluoxetine and Citalopram. I have felt worse before I get better but it is soooo worth it to dull the pain and the suffering I had while not on anything.

This elusive drug you're looking for to calm intrusive thoughts, without any side effects, sadly does not exist. If it did, someone would be very rich and a lot of anxiety sufferers would not have anxiety any more. This is not an option. If you want medication for anxiety, SSRIs are where you start. You'll need to tweak and adjust a lot, even if it works for a year then something happens that sets you back. There is no quick fix.

What's EMDR? The thoughts are bad, about my child dying horribly. It's always been, but suddenly much worse as a result of the current political situation. Not sure if ADs will change it but I'm getting a bit desperate

This is what makes me think they won't work and might make things worse. I know a magic bullet doesn't exist but I just really can't risk getting worse by taking something that doesn't work, then chopping and changing. Possibly making it worse. This is exactly why I'm reluctant. I wish they'd just give me diazepam for when it's overwhelming but I don't feel I can request that

I've been on Citalopram for 10 years.

I no longer have intrusive thoughts, I no longer catastrophise, I don't have swirling thoughts and I have an energised, focussed, successful life,

It's changed me for the better.

I’ve been on Venlafaxine for 7 years now and they’ve saved my life.

CBT helped too.

They won't give you diazepam. This is clearly not a fleetingly occasional problem. You'll just end up addicted.

Sertraline has been a miracle drug for my intrusive thoughts/excessive worry. It's also stopped my IBS too which I wasn't expecting but pleased about none the less. I say to people that it makes my brain feel 'normal'. It helps it to work how it is suppose to work rather than the overthinking, overdrive about everything I usually have.

A close friend with OCD has had the same experience with Sertraline too.

Neither of us got worse before better in terms of mental health. Did have side effects though like dry mouth etc. This passed in 2 weeks.

There are different types of AD. SSRIs and SNRIs.
i find that different people react differently but each can be equally effective. Perhaps Mirtazipine can be very useful, Duloxetine is one that is considered beneficial.
there is newer research that states the possibility of seratonin flooding rather than low seratonin, in which case an SNRI may be preferable.

As an aside, I had pnd forty years ago; it was tricyclics in those days. Things like amitriptyline are still used and again effective.

My advice would be to have some sort of ongoing support whilst you’re on starting doses.

I've been there and it was horrendous - well done to you for recognising that you need help.

I've been on citalopram for 12 years and am never coming off. Yes, first 2 weeks were slightly worse (the GP had forgotten to tell me to expect this) - but I got through it. And it was 100% worth it - I cannot tell you how much better I am.

So although I still have worries, I am now able to rationalise and move on. I look back at those thoughts I had before meds I just couldn't stop the spiralling.

Sending you love and support. Keep us posted on how you're getting on.

And yes, make sure you have support during the first few weeks - had I known what to expect it would have been much better

Apologies in advance if this is inappropriate...

I had intrusive thought at night that stopped me sleeping.

I started listening to audiobooks as I fall asleep and it's been a game changer.

I set a timer, focus on the story and the spinning bad thoughts stop. Then I can sleep, and of course having sleep makes me feel so much better.

Might be worth trying?

Again, apologies if this is obvious and you've tried it already.

I had them and have been on citalopram for years now. If I do get them fleetingly I ignore them