Posted by katekite on May 20, 2002, at 21:16:10
In reply to Reply » Marie416, posted by tinker on May 20, 2002, at 15:30:56
I realize that for many people stimulants might make ocd worse.
But I thought I would relate my experience in the case someone out there hasn't even considered the idea.
I started pulling my hair out at 12. Not bad, mostly mild and not noticeable to others (except for a few stressful times in high school where I had to wear my hair different) just impossible to totally stop. Also I am the type who obsesses about things, especially in anticipation. Sort of anticipation anxiety: driving to the shrinks office thinking over and over about what to say, worrying. That type of thing. So soft ocd, I guess.
I stopped even trying to treat it, seemed like my depression episodes were worse and anxiety too and that was more important. Plus none of the twenty or so drugs I tried did much unless I was too sedated to direct my hand to my hair.
About 2 months ago got diagnosed as having ADD which surprised me, having gotten good grades through grad school.... I was more shocked to start ritalin and realize a week later I hadn't pulled out a single hair while the medication had effect. Not one. I am now off of ritalin for a week for some medical testing and the hair pulling urge is back. Like an on/off switch.
And with obsessing type thoughts: on ritalin I'm able to control things and say to myself, 'now is not the time', or, 'it won't make a difference if I obsess -- how bout listening to music instead'. I still find myself starting to think in circles, but I can mostly stop, its much more of a choice.
So -- hair pulling is considered by some to be an impulse control problem. Considered by others to be ocd.
So if you have impulse control issues where whatever you do you don't do for a reason, more of its an urge and traditional things haven't helped a whole lot -- maybe consider a trial of ritalin or another stimulant, both ritalin and dexedrine worked for me, although ritalin felt calmer to me.
Other impulsive traits are interupting, disliking standing in lines, impatience, liking things "your way"... or at least those are my traits, LOL.
Anyhow I was shocked that ritalin helped, I would have assumed it would make me more on edge or just would make my symptoms worse -- but it was the reverse.
kate
poster:katekite
thread:106680
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107117.html