Posted by tom_traubert on November 28, 2004, at 0:25:23
In reply to Meds for Obsessional Thoughts, posted by TommyIsland on November 26, 2004, at 3:46:57
Anafranil worked really well for me with very manageable side effects. It took me a long time, and still in the process of getting to the point where I don't need to figure it out, and know that many of the thoughts are just OCD. The effort used to employ logic and reason to explain the thoughts and 'get control' actually gives the thoughts more strength and increases their chance of a return visit.
I'm a broken record recommending this book, "The Imp of the Mind", but I don't care because I think anyone who suffers from Obsessional OCD should read it. It's a small little read, but very professionally written, in a non-patronizing, non-clinical way. I don't know of any other books that deal solely with the Obsessional form of OCD. Although we don't exhibit any compulsions, you find that your internal need to combat and reason with the thoughts is its own compulsion.
Anyway, you're not alone, you're not going crazy, you can get by. The meds get you through, but the structure of the thought patterns has to be addressed and understood and that's where this book leads you. Sorry to sound a bit preachy, but I really want to convey the importance of how what you're going through is not a sign of insanity, is not a life sentence of fear and dependence. It's from my own experience of simply relying on the meds and not really looking at the structure of the thoughts and giving myself the permission to deal with it, and I regret not being more proactive with my symptoms and recovery. It's really hard to be confident about yourself at all with the thoughts cutting you down at every turn, which is why I feel that the more you learn about it, the less you condemn yourself.
Hope this helps,
tt
poster:tom_traubert
thread:420388
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041123/msgs/421160.html