When you’re ready to confront the impact of anxiety and OCD in your life, a psychiatrist can offer expertise and insight into finding effective treatment that feels right for you. Just as mental health looks different for everyone, there’s no one-size-fits-all for treatment. It can take time to find the right combination of talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication for you. The best asset you can have in your journey to overcome mental illness is a dedicated, compassionate psychiatrist who has access to the newest mental health treatments. If you’re considering pharmaceutical mental health treatment, here are some of the most common medications for anxiety and OCD.
In general, psychiatrists first recommend antidepressants for the treatment of OCD. Some typical medications are:
All medications come with risks of side effects. Your care provider will monitor your mental health to ensure they aren’t detrimental to your overall wellness. Common side effects may include:
The goal is to find the lowest dose of medication with the fewest side effects. Sometimes side effects will disappear after several weeks of use. Because of this, it can take weeks or months to find the proper medication for anxiety and OCD for you.
The most important thing is to not struggle with overwhelming side effects. Instead, work with a psychiatrist you trust and maintain open communication to find the ideal prescription and dosage for you.
If antidepressants aren’t effective in treating your OCD symptoms, your doctor may consider off-label medications. Some prescriptions are FDA-approved for other conditions but have been shown to help people with off-label conditions, such as OCD.
Your doctor may recommend SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as:
Or, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) such as:
While it can feel overwhelming to continually try new medications, finding the perfect prescription can eliminate the most disruptive symptoms of OCD and anxiety in your life. Psychiatrists who embrace new treatment options, such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation, can offer alternatives when medication falls short.
Along with medication, you may consider other treatments to address the most troubling mental health symptoms. It’s unlikely that a single treatment will handle all the ways anxiety and OCD impact your life. In addition to finding a medication, or combination of medications that provide relief and stability, consider these alternative treatments. Studies continue to show that the following can offer myriad mental health benefits:
When you explore alternative, non-medication treatments, you address your mental health holistically, which can be more effective than pharmaceuticals alone. Entrust your mental health to the compassionate, dedicated care providers of Bella Jace Center for Health.
At Bella Jace Center for Health, we provide diverse treatment options for our clients. Our goal is to partner with clients in their mental health to find the right combination of therapies to alleviate the most persistent symptoms. We treat generalized post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, OCD, and major depressive disorder. If you’re struggling to overcome mental illness symptoms, our psychiatrists are here to offer compassionate help and support. Whatever your previous experience with therapy, we provide innovative alternatives for even the most treatment-resistant mental health issues.
Whatever your approach to mental health, we’re dedicated to being a holistic, compassionate resource in exploring innovative treatments, including medication for anxiety and OCD.
