Posted by Snoozy on August 2, 2003, at 0:54:15
In reply to Stimulants increasing anxiety, OCD? (long), posted by noa on August 1, 2003, at 11:35:48
Hi noa -
I've had OCD as long as I can remember, and I've had behaviors somewhat similar to the ones you describe. One thing that started when I was a kid was absentmindedly pulling out eyelashes. I got over this as an adult because I hated looking in the mirror at those balding eyelids :) It took a while of being very conscious of when I was doing it, and I just tried to direct that energy elsewhere - you know, picking at my cuticles or something! I did realize that I've seen a family member doing this for years (still does).
Actually, I've been able to get away from anything involving the face, it's just directed someplace else. A lot of it was about hating to look in the mirror (just your run-of-the-mill self-loathing).
It sounds like you have some insights into what's going on, and the cognitive behavioral strategies and the habit reversal sound very helpful. It probably takes some time and patience, as these behaviors are like auto-pilot (in my experience).
As far as drugs, I never experienced any significant relief from the SSRI's (I have several other weird OCD things). I've wondered if medications are more helpful for some types of OCD behavior and less for others - like counters versus hand washers or something. Or maybe it's just an individual thing.
I would think serotonin-induced motor activiation (from medication?) could have an effect on the dermatillomania. When I have taken meds that have that agitating/activating quality, I find I do a lot more of those types of things, and it seems to serve a dual purpose of getting that nervous energy out, and also being soothing, as you mention. (There's the famous Prozac leg bounce).
I've been on stims for 6 weeks, and when I started I was worried because I also had read about how they can increase OCD symptoms. I haven't noticed a big effect one way or the other. I can certainly see how it would be possible. Again, maybe it's better (or worse) for some types of OCD symptoms than others. At times it has seemed like with the increased alertness/concentration from the stims, I don't do those OCD things that I tend to do when I'm really groggy/fuzzy-headed/stuporous.
My experience with anxiety and OCD is that in periods where my anxiety is really increased, the OCD is much worse.
Were you on Effexor before Adderall? I've never had akathisia (sp?), but I've heard exercise can be helpful for it.
(I've been off caffeine for a month, and I'm starting to feel a difference - in a good way, but more related to headaches )
poster:Snoozy
thread:247350
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247515.html