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Suggest Treatment For Severe OCD While On Clomipramine
Question: Hello i am struggling alot with ocd. Alot of intrusive thoughts. I am currently on anafrinil and it is not working and ive been on it for about 8 weeks 4 per day. Am also seeing pyschologist. Dont know what to do. Crying every day. My life isnt worth living
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry you are suffering so much from OCD. You say you have been on clomipramine for about 8 weeks. What is the dosage? Have you had a clomipramine blood level drawn? The first thing I would do is either increase the clomipramine dose, or if your dose was already sufficient I would switch you to a different antidepressant such as Luvox.
I would also highly encourage exposure-response-prevention therapy (ERPT), if you are not already doing this with your psychologist. A combination of medication and ERPT is the most effective treatment.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, you need to visit your closest emergency room immediately for an emergent evaluation.
This is surely very difficult for you, but try to have patience. Medications work, but they take several weeks to kick in, and the first medication you try may not be the best one for you. Try to have patience, and focus on ERPT while waiting for medication to kick in, as it is also highly effective.
I see you have asked many premium questions on this website. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry you are suffering so much from OCD. You say you have been on clomipramine for about 8 weeks. What is the dosage? Have you had a clomipramine blood level drawn? The first thing I would do is either increase the clomipramine dose, or if your dose was already sufficient I would switch you to a different antidepressant such as Luvox.
I would also highly encourage exposure-response-prevention therapy (ERPT), if you are not already doing this with your psychologist. A combination of medication and ERPT is the most effective treatment.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, you need to visit your closest emergency room immediately for an emergent evaluation.
This is surely very difficult for you, but try to have patience. Medications work, but they take several weeks to kick in, and the first medication you try may not be the best one for you. Try to have patience, and focus on ERPT while waiting for medication to kick in, as it is also highly effective.
I see you have asked many premium questions on this website. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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