Can't cope with OCD anymore

[stars345]

I have diagnosed OCD. I had CBT along with ERP (exposure and response prevention.)
This was in 2015. It helped at the time.

However my symptoms have returned gradually over the last 3-4 years, to the point now where I am regularly vomiting, sweating, dealing with severe anxiety, and struggling to concentrate. My trigger now is something completely different than it was back then.

My OCD presents as obsessive thoughts, rumination and some rituals to help, but it's mainly the obsessive thinking and the anxiety state that brings on.

I am on Fluoxetine 30mg. I have previously taken Sertraline.

I don't want to call the GP, they will send me back in a waiting list for CBT and I'm not sure that's the answer?

I have emailed an OCD support charity but after reading their FAQ I can see that they can't really help me.

It's ruining my life. My mind is a prison, I'm torturing myself but I can't stop it. It just won't stop. My mind won't shut up. I'm absolutely miserable. On edge. I think of nothing but the trigger 24/7. And it's a ridiculous trigger. Deep down, intellectually I know this, but it's got to the point where I can't even participate in normal conversation as I'm either thinking about my trigger or trying to decide a plan to escape (I.e run away, shirk my responsibilities, sometimes suicidal ideation).

I can't do this anymore

Chlomipramine is the drug for OCD. I’m not sure why you are on Fluoxetine. And not a very high dose either.

Yoy should be on 150 mg Chlomipramine.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow fluoxitine is used to treat ED and OCD

My 18 yr old son has severe ocd. Had 3 rounds of CBT. Has been on 150mg of sertraline for about 3 months and it has completely transformed his life (and ours). I wish you all the best - it's a horrible illness.

Just placemarking as lots of useful resources here and I don't want to lose this thread

I have OCD I was diagnosed 21 years ago, I have had cbt countless medications over the years even had a hospital stay( this was many years ago!)

The only medication I have ever been stable on is paroxetine, so I have been on it long term now it's worth it as there is no two ways of saying my OCD was so debilitating that I literally couldn't function. I still have reactionary times where my anxiety is higher but I'm good at recognising this and requesting dose changes.

It can take trial and error for the right medication to be found everyone is so different, therapy can work brilliantly for many people. For me therapy just taught me coping techniques, medication has actually been the thing that has given me my life back

My ds, now I9, suffered terribly with exactly what you are describing. It was hell on earth for him and all of us.

He had 3 courses of CBT and started antidepressants a year ago. After a year of trying different ones and gradually going up he is now on 200mg of sertraline - he's now at university and thriving.

He uses meditation, exercise and CBT strategies to also calm his ocd thoughts - but the medication has made all the difference.

I really do wish you well.