subject: A Quick Guide To Ocd Side Effects [print this page] A side effect is an undesired effect that occurs when a person is under treatment. And this is one of the many reasons why people will discontinue their medication. For people with Obsessive Compulsive disorder, a continuous medication is necessary in order to help the person cope with the illness
This therapy is usually done with a trained therapist; they allow the person to be exposed to situations that triggers obsessive thoughts, anxiety or fear and let them handle it in an effective and healthy way. For example, if a person is obsessed about being clean, they may be encourage to try using public transportation or a public toilet and encouraged to wash their hands once. In this way, the person who has OCD might be able to develop a high level of tolerance that can result from the exposure.
While Cognitive - behavioral Therapy is considered an effective way, another option to treat OCD is through prescribed medication. Therapy focuses on exposure and response prevention, medicines often in the form of antidepressants are used to treat depression. Clomipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and fluvoxamine are among the most common medicines that are used and are readily available. These medicines work by interfering with the abnormal neurotransmission of the brain which are associated with the occurrences of OCD. Although these medicines are used to treat depression, studies show that they can reduce the symptoms of OCD, even if they are not under a depress state. Different People have different response when taking these medicines, but the most prevailing and common OCD side effects includes dry mouth, nausea or drowsiness, vomiting and headache. OCD side effects could also come in a form of restlessness and sometimes to the point where in sexual problems occur.
Usually, therapy is combined with medication to be more effective when it comes to dealing with OCD. Anti-depressants like Clomipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and fluvoxamine are given to the person so that neurotransmission of the brain which are associated with OCD and the transmission of the receptors of the brain are corrected. Medication takes 2-4 weeks before they start to work. They may also take 12 weeks to work fully. Since the body is adjusting when the medication starts, mild side effects may be experienced by the person taking it. OCD side effects may wear off after 3 weeks of constant medication. Studies show that medication can greatly help the person with OCD even if they are not suffering from depression. Accompanying the advantages of medication are OCD side effects which commonly includes dry mouth, nausea or drowsiness, vomiting and headache. To other people, OCD side effects could also come in a form of restlessness and sometimes to the point where in sexual problems occur.
Education regarding OCD, Acceptance, Practicing the relaxation and skills learned, a supportive group with family members and the regular intake of prescribed medicine are techniques that will help a person deal with the illness and OCD side effects. Nevertheless, the combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication is considered one of the most effective ways to treat OCD. Therapy helps lessen the OCD side effects and medication helps controlling depression thus the reason they are almost always considered.
