I have suffered with OCD intrusive thoughts (raping people) for 12 years. I have tried various medications and right now I've been put on aripiprazole which is making me restless. I havnt been out of the house for 2 months as I am scared the thoughts of raping someone will give me more distress and therefore more anxiety.
I am thinking now should I I leave the house and ignore all my compulsions to check if I have raped somone and leave the house everyday to try and be better?
Thank you for your replies.
Written by
BobbyRidges
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That sounds like a plan! And a good one too. It's not much fun being cooped up indoors, as I know myself.
I shouldn't do the reassurance bit, but it's worth remembering that rapists aren't concerned about what they do, or worry that they might do it. They just do it. That is not you. Someone like you, decent and caring, simply doesn't do it.
Do get out of the house. It could be to go for a walk just down the road, or to a local shop, if you feel you can't manage much. Then push yourself to do more.
I too take aripiprazole, but only a low dose of 5 mg a day to supplement the sertraline I'm also on. It has a good effect on me, and gives me a boost, but I note that one common side effect is restlessness. It's for the individual to decide if the pluses outweigh the side effects, but don't come off it suddenly if it's too much.
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