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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 18:15:59
Hi, I have Obssessive compulsive disorder along with other anxiety disorders. But I was wanting to what part of the brain is actually responsible for the the disorder.
I have always been told it was a "chemical imbalance". I have very invasive intrusive thoughts and memmories that has really taken over my life. I also have rituals such as tapping and touching objects a certain number of times and a preocupation with certain numbers (I have had this since I was a kid). But the awful daily struggle of intrusive thoughts did not start until about four years ago. I am 28 now.
I have tried all kinds of medication and spent hours researching, alot of money on behavioral therapy, and alot of time suffering.
So, I was wondering what part of the brain cause these thoughts to occur. It is like you have no control over your mind. Is a certain part of the brain not working right? Has part of the brain become damaged?
If anyone has any info. or comments I would greatly appreciate them.
One last question. Is there any other medication besides SSRI's to treat OCD because I have tried them all with no success. I am on them right now praying each day for relief. THANKS
Posted by Colleen D. on August 25, 2004, at 19:17:26
In reply to Does anyone know what actually causes OCD?, posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 18:15:59
And I've had moderate success in relieving some of the associated anxiety with Zoloft and Effexor. Here's a bit from the OCD Foundation website that talks about the brain.
"Research suggests that OCD involves problems in communication between the front part of the brain (the orbital cortex) and deeper structures (the basal ganglia).
These brain structures use the chemical messenger serotonin. It is believed that insufficient levels of serotonin are prominently involved in OCD. Drugs that increase the brain concentration of serotonin often help improve OCD symptoms.
Pictures of the brain at work also show that the brain circuits involved in OCD return toward normal in those who improve after taking a serotonin medication or receiving cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy.
Although it seems clear that reduced levels of serotonin play a role in OCD, there is no laboratory test for OCD. Rather, the diagnosis is made based on an assessment of the person's symptoms. When OCD starts suddenly in childhood in association with strep throat, an autoimmune mechanism may be involved, and treatment with an antibiotic may prove helpful."
And too, a link to the site, which has quite a lot of info.
http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocf1010a.htm
Good luck!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by cpallen79 on August 25, 2004, at 19:57:58
In reply to Does anyone know what actually causes OCD?, posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 18:15:59
BRC, I suggest you check out www.brainplace.com ... OCD has something to do with the cingulate gyrus I think... BTW, I have had OCD since I was 11 years old... the first few years were rough as rough could be, I didn't understand what was happening to me.. i can imagine it would be all the more traumatic having it surface when you were in your 20's... here's the good thing, as you get older and you have more experience dealing with your OCD, it becomes more of a nuisance than a trauma... you realize what it is and say "dumb OCD" and what not... TRUST ME ON THIS!!! It'll flare up during times of stress, and then wain back down. I definetely also recommend that you check out www.healthboards.com ... there is a board specifically designated to OCD... think your obsession isn't talked about there?... think again, I thought some of my obsessions were just mine, turns out they're common and whatnot! It's a place of comfort. Your going up a mountain right now, but once you get over it, you'll be fine AND you'll have great defense mechanisms for dealing with stress.
Posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 22:31:46
In reply to I also have OCD... » BRC, posted by Colleen D. on August 25, 2004, at 19:17:26
Thanks for the information. My pdoc gets $115.00 for 30 minutes and has never told me what causes OCD (but he still is a very good doctor). I also have read the book Brain Lock by Jeffery Swartz which gives alot of info but It had alot of medical information I could not relate to.
I was curious. If you don't mind what are your OCD symptoms like. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post
Posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 22:38:26
In reply to Re: Does anyone know what actually causes OCD?, posted by cpallen79 on August 25, 2004, at 19:57:58
Thanks for your words of encouragement. I will check out the websites.
If you happen to read this post as I ask the previous poster. I was wondering if what medications and or therapies helped you with your OCD, and what were some of your symptoms. But I understand if you don't wany to talk about it.
Thanks again for your response.
Posted by Bill LL on August 26, 2004, at 9:48:54
In reply to Does anyone know what actually causes OCD?, posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 18:15:59
I had the same symptoms ever since I was a kid. Sometimes I would have to do things 3 times, sometimes just once. But that is very typical of OCD.
Others have given good answers to your question but I would like to ask you about your treatment. You said that you have tried SSRI's without success.
I think that oftentimes people give up too soon on SSRI's and stop taking them instead of trying higher doses.
There are also non-SSRI drugs that are effective such as Effexor.
I personally take 30 mg Lexapro which helps a lot with my OCD, anxiety and depression.
> Hi, I have Obssessive compulsive disorder along with other anxiety disorders. But I was wanting to what part of the brain is actually responsible for the the disorder.
>
> I have always been told it was a "chemical imbalance". I have very invasive intrusive thoughts and memmories that has really taken over my life. I also have rituals such as tapping and touching objects a certain number of times and a preocupation with certain numbers (I have had this since I was a kid). But the awful daily struggle of intrusive thoughts did not start until about four years ago. I am 28 now.
>
> I have tried all kinds of medication and spent hours researching, alot of money on behavioral therapy, and alot of time suffering.
>
> So, I was wondering what part of the brain cause these thoughts to occur. It is like you have no control over your mind. Is a certain part of the brain not working right? Has part of the brain become damaged?
>
> If anyone has any info. or comments I would greatly appreciate them.
>
> One last question. Is there any other medication besides SSRI's to treat OCD because I have tried them all with no success. I am on them right now praying each day for relief. THANKS
Posted by cpallen79 on August 26, 2004, at 12:48:11
In reply to Thanks cpallen 79 for your response » cpallen79, posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 22:38:26
Hi Brc.... hmm, there's been alot that has helped me /w OCD... namely I'd say Paxil and Luvox have been the most beneficial in terms of SSRIS... unfortunately Luvox makes me hypomanic so I'm thinking about heading back to my beloved Paxil or doing cymbalta, that new antidepressant. I've found that mood stabilizers help keep me on somewhat of a level playing field, but I do have a mild case of bipolar that surfaced last winter and is aggravated by the Luvox so that's why I take a mood stabilizer. Also, talking with my therapist about my obsessions, no matter how wierd or freaky they are helps... he listens and most of all understands as he has a background and experience in some of this stuff...liek I said, I assure you that as you get used to OCD that it won't be as paralyzing. It's a tick that will be there, but eventually it won't bother you as much and life will go on. Again, I can't emphasize how much the healthboards.com help, it's a great site with great people.
Posted by Colleen D. on August 26, 2004, at 14:08:26
In reply to Thank you so much for your Resonse Collen D. » Colleen D., posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 22:31:46
are checking, counting, ordering, arranging, worrying, fearing contamination and having intrusive thoughts that me much anxiety especially at night when I am trying to go to sleep. If I lose something, I cannot rest until I find it, which is a real pain for me and my family. I am also somewhat of a perfectionist, but have not been officially been diagnosed with Obsessive-Complusive Personality Disorder, just OCD (along with depression and anxiety).
Best wishes!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by BRC on August 26, 2004, at 19:11:26
In reply to Re: Does anyone know what actually causes OCD?, posted by Bill LL on August 26, 2004, at 9:48:54
Hi, Bill I first want to thank you for answering and contributing to my post.
I guess one of my biggest problems with medication is that due to change of insurance and other factors I have seen several different pdocs and they would all change my medication. And at the beginning I was being treated with different medications until I and the doctors figured out it was panic and anxiety disorder. This new onset of panic and anxiety has brought out my once overlooked nuisance of OCD I had since a kid into OCD that is totally out of control with very daily intrusive thoughts and memmories. Here are some of the medications I have tried
Paxil about five years ago for three months
Luvox for about six months
Anafranil
Effexor for about a year and a half at over the max. dose.
I currently take 60mg of Lexapro, 4mg of Klonopin, 30mg of Remeron. I have been on this combo for almost two years.
I never miss a dose of my meds. But I have often wondered if the medication is actually making the symptoms worse or if I just have not found the right combination.
I have also tried mood stabilazers but only briefly.
I read an article from the OCD foundation that said with severe cases of OCD thoughts (which is the hardest to control) that adding a very small dose of the atypical antipsycotic Risperdal 1mg may help.
I will be seeing my pdoc. next week. He is a very good doctor one of the best in my state. He actually has a hospital named after him. But I don't know what to tell him. I am scared to change to anything else because I am afraid things may get worse. I am afraid to ask about the Risperdal because I don't want to be on an anti-psychotic because they can have irreversable physical side effect. He says that with intrusive OCD thoughts that medication will only help to about 80% when it comes to OCD and thoughts. I have also tried CBT therapy and REBT therapies.
But life is "hell" right now and it use to be so much better. Sorry about such a long post. Thanks againg for your response. Hope you respond back.
BRC
Posted by SDA on August 27, 2004, at 22:17:15
In reply to Does anyone know what actually causes OCD?, posted by BRC on August 25, 2004, at 18:15:59
> Hi, I have Obssessive compulsive disorder along with other anxiety disorders. But I was wanting to what part of the brain is actually responsible for the the disorder.
>
> I have always been told it was a "chemical imbalance". I have very invasive intrusive thoughts and memmories that has really taken over my life. I also have rituals such as tapping and touching objects a certain number of times and a preocupation with certain numbers (I have had this since I was a kid). But the awful daily struggle of intrusive thoughts did not start until about four years ago. I am 28 now.
>
> I have tried all kinds of medication and spent hours researching, alot of money on behavioral therapy, and alot of time suffering.
>
> So, I was wondering what part of the brain cause these thoughts to occur. It is like you have no control over your mind. Is a certain part of the brain not working right? Has part of the brain become damaged?
>
> If anyone has any info. or comments I would greatly appreciate them.
>
> One last question. Is there any other medication besides SSRI's to treat OCD because I have tried them all with no success. I am on them right now praying each day for relief. THANKSI also had childhood OCD starting around age 11. For better or for worse, I took Zoloft (200mg) all throughout high school. While it probably helped with the reppetitive actions and fears (skipping steps, tapping out numbers, and handling my food with napkins), I think it may have been harmful to my cognition. Specifically, I wonder if it was responisble for mental over-activity and "thought congestion".
I am 20 now. I went off of the meds cold turky before going to college. Although I may have denied it at the time, in hindsight I can see that I started obsessing more about things like cleanliness and order. This was compounded by severe insomnia that soon followed. Right now I'm having what my doctors tell me is severe anxeity and depression. My thinking has gone down the toilet (memory problems, math skills are horrible), and I have terrible head pressure/fuzziness. I'm hesitant to hop back on the SSRI bandwagon, but I know that when I recover my OCD will seem like nothing at all. As you continue to learn and grow thoughout life, you will find what is truely important and how to keep your OCD on a leash. I for one know that I'll never give a damn about cleanliness or the condition of my material posessions again.
Well, my head is killing me right now, so I might bag it for the night and post more tomorrow.
This is the end of the thread.
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