Basic Information About Medication. BRAND name GENERIC name OTHER names MANUFACTURER'S site Recommended DOSAGE * Anafranil. Clomipramine. None. Manufacturer's Site. Up to 250 mg/day. Celexa. Citalopram. None. Manufacturer's Site. Up to 60 mg/day. Luvox. Fluvoxamine. None. Manufacturer's Site. Up to 300 mg/day. Paxil. Paroxetine. None. Manufacturer's Site. 40-60 mg/day. Prozac. Fluoxetine. None. Manufacturer's Site. 40-80 mg/day. Zoloft. Sertraline. Serlain. Manufacturer's Site. Up to 200 mg/day.

There are millions of meds out there so how does one decide which to take. As far as I know the SSRI'S do not work let me repeat that the SSRI'S do not work well. Although they say that some people will get relife while others will not. I know 3 other people with OCD who have taken them and have not been affected at all by them. The reason they are prescribed so much is because they have little side effects compared to the other stronger medicines. So people are more likely to stay on them. But as I said, I myself have not been helped by them and neither have any of the people I know. Zyprexa, has started to work for me! Zyprexa and its cousin Risperdol are both mostly prescribed for bi-polar or schizo, but in low doses are suppose to give relife from OCD. So far yes they have. But as I previsouly stated, they have considerably more side effects. Problem? Maybe, it all depends how you tolerate medicine. But most likely you will gain weight. Tough break right? Well, not exactly. I have recently found a miracle? Maybe. This miracle is called 5-htp. It is an herbal medicine made from the seeds of a plant in Africa.

I would like to take a moment to talk about therapy. Everyone raves that therapy is the best and success rates are up around 80%. But I'd like to know where they get those numbers because so far for me CBT has not helped at all. I just can not break free from the ideas OCD puts in my head, and if I try to I just get depressed or feel nonfunctional. I would like to hear from anyone out there what their experinces have been with therapy, because mine have been well, not good.

Benefits Many people who take 5-HTP notice improved mood, decrease in appetite, reduced anxiety, and better sleep. I have come across some individuals who get wired instead of sleepy after taking 5-HTP. Some find that 5-HTP helps curb appetite and leads to weight loss. This nutrient could be used temporarily for appetite suppression while other lifestyle and dietary changes are being incorporated regarding a life long plan for keeping weight off. 5-HTP may be helpful in conditions that normally require prescription antidepressants, antianxiety agent, sleeping pills, and weight loss drugs. 5-HTP may also be helpful in some individuals with migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.

Less than 20% of those that take medications, without some kind of therapy to back them up, will no longer have OCD- symptoms.

how good are you feeling now about SSRI'S. Not so great are you. Well thats the same way I feel, which is why I am at least giving the herbal route a try. 5-htp costs about $11 for a bottle of 30 pills. Which is pretty affordable. SSRI's work by blocking the receptors of serotonin in your brain from reabsurbing them so you have more floating around. OCD is a disorder that is caused by a lack of this powerful transmitter. It is used by your body for many things, but if you have OCD you really only are worried about your mood. 5-HTP however is the precursor to serotin, it is absorbed in your body and converted to serotonin. Something our bodies can not easily do.