OCD treatment and homocysteine

[OCDturtle-]

Is OCD related to homocysteine levels and B12 deficiency? Will vitamins help treating OCD or just reduce the symptoms? Is antidepressants necessary with ERP? What do you think about those questions?

[Serendipity16]

I am on B12 injections and feel I could use them more frequently. I have had high homocysteine readings in the past. I have had severe OCD that has required Sertraline and low dose mood stabiliser and Psychology sessions. I feel that B12 deficiency could be contributing to the OCD but I don't think that it could be a cure by itself. Keen to hear other people's experiences/ thoughts.

[OCDturtle- in reply to Serendipity16]

Thanks for your reply. On scale from 1 to 10 how better u feel after using B12 injections

[Serendipity16 in reply to OCDturtle-]

I had the B12 deficiency diagnosed long before the OCD became apparent, I find I get quite run down leading up to my next 12 week injection, my brain doesn't work so well. I agree with sallyskins - vitamin D is worth taking too.

[Serendipity16 in reply to Serendipity16]

ERP didn't work for me, but schema therapy did

[OCDturtle- in reply to Serendipity16]

Are you taking antidepressants

[Sallyskins]

I don't think that vitamins on their own will sufficiently deal with OCD, but it's still good to keep your intake up. That may, in some cases, involve supplements, but don't waste your money on taking lots of supplements that most likely you don't need. In cases of a particular deficiency, it might be good to take a supplement, and I take Vitamin D, but on the whole, eating well is more effective.

It does help to take an antidepressant like sertraline alongside the ERP. For a start, antidepressants do damp down the OCD and make the ERP easier to do. But antidepressants aren't enough on their own - putting in the ERP work is necessary. Think of it as a two-pronged approach to dealing with OCD.

I don't know about vitamin B12, but the B group of vitamins are mostly pretty essential for brain and mental health.

[OCDturtle- in reply to Sallyskins]

Thanks