if a person comes out of a severe depression (therapy, medication etc..) does OCD/BI-POLAR and whatever else sort of lighten up? I have been tormented by obsessive problems (and I think Bi-Polar too) since about 1983. I don't want to play around with medication that takes 2-3 months before it kicks in somewhat, and then all the side effects. Is there a medication that can help without horrible side effects? I teach music, perform around 6-8 times per month. I can't do my jobs all spaced out. I deal with parents (with the music lessons) and I perform singing Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin etc etc.. the songs are very challenging. I'm afraid to take prescriptions because of the side effects. I take amytriptyline at bedtime 50 mgs but that is just to help me sleep. It does make me spacey but it's better than being up all night. In the 80's I used to have insomnia for sometimes 3 days in a row so the sleeping is important. I really don't know where to begin.. anybody have any ideas??
OCD/BI-POLAR/DEPRESSION.. is this all one thing? - OCD Support
OCD Support
OCD/BI-POLAR/DEPRESSION.. is this all one thing?
I don't think there's a 'perfect' medicine that works for everyone and without side effects. The SSRI group of antidepressants are pretty good, though they don't suit everyone. I've been on one called sertraline for about 12 years and the only side effects I've really had is a bit of nasal congestion. It takes about four to six weeks to kick in.
Before that I took clomipramine, an older antidepressant which also worked well. The real down side was that it made me feel dopey.
For the insomnia, it might be worth exploring other remedies. Perhaps go onto the Sleepio website which has a lot about CBT methods of combating insomnia.
There is a herbal remedy called Rhodiola Rosea which some people swear by. It had been promoted as having no side effects and no interactions with other medications, but apparently this is no longer considered the case. I took it for a while and didn't really feel any difference. I stopped taking it because it was too expensive for me, but you could consider giving it a go.
Conditions like OCD do fluctuate a lot. It is perhaps best, if you are on a medication that suits, to continue taking it not just when it's bad, but when it isn't, so flare ups aren't so bad or frequent.
It sounds like you've got an interesting job. Don't let it go, as congenial employment can be hard to get, particularly when you have a disability or mental condition!
Hi Imissannieandal - I think that depression does exasperate OCD. I don't have any personal experience with bi-polar. I've taken Sertraline (generic for Zoloft) for years & years. When I first started taking it, I got sleepy, but then started taking it at night instead of mornings to help with that. There is a huge difference in me if I am not on it. Your job does sound fun. I wish you the best of luck.
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