Discussion Is OCD incurable?

[Raichu]

I think my SSRIs are starting to fail. I was diagnosed with OCD in 2023. I was prescribed with SSRIs, stalin and haloperidol. It worked for a while I suppose. The symptoms like feeling on the edge 24/7 or my heart pounding every waking second and my head filled with questions and fears; reduced and it reduced to a great extent. Off late I am starting to sense the symptoms of initial stage, like questioning myself or searching the internet returning. It's a ride to hell. I would rather die than to go through the same kind of experience again. I am starting to think it's incurable and although it's not as bad as of now, but I am really scared of the future. What to do?

 

[Moroze]

Had OCD ever since I was a little kid. The thing with mental illness is that it can never be treated, it can only be managed. What helped me was my first SSRI, and has been helping ever since. The thing about mental illness is about it being manageable. I still remember my worst OCD episodes. Spilled something on my bedsheets and was so triggered that everyone called me crazy and overdramatic. I'd say the best thing to do is to accept the chronic nature of it, and have in mind that it can be managed. Keep on trying different medication. Share your worries and fears to people who are dealing with similar experiences. I accepted the OCD is just a part of me, and that it's not going away. I guess at times I tried to embrace it, use it to carry out everything perfectly, but at the end of the day, I really do think that it's something that we can at least try to manage. May I ask what SSRIs do you think are failing for you? I just started Duloxetine and it's meant to the like a gold standard for OCD.

 

[Tombs_in_your_eyes]

Are you able to access exposure and response prevention (ERP)? I appreciate that depending on which country you live in, it can be expensive / hard to access.

Some people are able to experience remission in OCD after ERP, i.e. periods of time, sometimes many years at a time, where they have no symptoms. And many people's symptoms reduce to a low, manageable level. I agree with what others have said, for most people OCD will be a chronic condition that needs managing - but with the right therapy it can be quite manageable to live with.

 

[Holu]

Im sorry you are going through this :(.

OCD is treatable not curable sadly. As another person said, it can be managed, but not really fixed unless it's very low severity OCD. If your meds effectiveness are starting to wane talk to you psychiatrist. They can up the dosage or find different meds to help.

 

[dead dav]

I have been told I have ocd it's scary but my anti depression meds have helped as has therapy it has destroyed my marriage got me in trouble with the police but now I know the nature of the beast I can hopefully manage the symptoms better

 

[cemeteryismyhome]

Maybe you can find a way to channel it as a strength? I suspect what modern society calls "mental illness" is often just differences which are unappreciated. Science and art would be missing many good things if everyone had been "cured" in the past. I hope I'm not being insensitive and hurtful, that is not my intent at all.

 

[Raichu]

I thank all of you who took out time and tried to help. And to those who are suffering here, I know the pain and the downwards spiral. I just hope that you all get better, and talk to near and dear ones in times of distress.

Now I would try to answer as many questions as I can-

.The medicines I was prescribed with were sertraline and haloperidol. The doctor increased the dosage gradually.

.I am from South Asia. Mental health itself is a kind of stigma here. ERP might as well be costly (I don't know very well, just a hunch). The fact is that, my parents did so much during the worst phases. Initially I did not tell anyone. But when it was getting uncontrollable I told my father. I myself asked to contact the counsellor of my previous school (I was acquainted with the counsellor). But just counselling didn't work. Then parents decided to try out a psychiatrist. And now though they would never let it show, or express it, I can sense a bit of apathy (not really apathy but a kind of "tired of these" sort of feeling). And I really don't mean to stress them out more. Sometimes I feel a sort of shame to be not able to handle myself even though all my financial and material needs are met.

.Well, I do try to write stories and poems. Sometimes I paint. Unconsciously maybe, but I think through these I try to channelise these feelings in a positive way. And no sir/mam you were not insensitive asking this question. I appreciate your concern, deeply. (Someone asked this question and thought maybe it would sound insensitive)