Are you or someone you know on Prozac or Zoloft? My daughter has OCD. And before we go and try one of these?

Question

meds, I want to know more about the sucicide risk. How risky is it? Is it for example in ppl who have a depression to begin with or in everyone? Is it one of those "possible" reactions, or something that is likley?
My duaghter is 23 but still lives at home. Luvox is just making her too tired.

Answer 1

It is risky but prozac is pretty safe. I wish I had some right now. Both release endorphins which can cause a person to become relaxed and tired. The suicide tendencies are worse without the drugs though.

Answer 2

I am 37 years old and also have OCD. I know OCD is different for people...mine was mostly checking and germs. Then the intrusive thinking began... thoughts like.... If I wear the green shirt today my cash drawer at work won't balance. I call them bad luck thoughts....if I don't do a certain thing bad stuff will happen.

Anyway, I am taking Paxil and at first it made me sleepy, but then as I got used to it, I don't get sleepy anymore. It has really turned off those intrusive thoughts in my head. I also have to cognitively battle this. When I have a thought like that or know that I am fixing to have a thought like that I will identify it as OCD and dismiss it. That is working great for me.

I wish your daughter the best. I know this is difficult to deal with at times. As far as suicide goes, I really doubt she would have a problem. I think that is rare. My sister takes zoloft for OCD too and she has done well on it. OCD can be inheirted and my sister and I both got it from our Dad. I believe it is a lack of seratonin in the brain.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Hello. I read this question and a certain incidence happened a few years ago here where I live. The boy is about my age (I'm 16) but this happened when he was 12. He was taking Zoloft and ended up shooting both of his grandparents and setting the house ablaze then taking off in his dead grandparents car. You can read the whole story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/09/48hours/main768263.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories . There is an ongoing debate on if it was the medicine Zoloft that triggered the boy to do what he did. But, then again, he was younger than your daughter. I just hope you read that article and it helps you with your decision.

Answer 4

I met a lady with scars on her wrists and saw the paperwork where she was bi-polar and had been committed to a mental hospital at least twice. Four years later when I saw her again she was addicted. Three days later she received Jesus and with prayer and the word of God she was off cocaine, no longer needed meds and was fine as long as she continued in THE WORD. Whenever I'm depressed, angry,sad,worried, afraid,etc. I can escape the feeling in minutes thru the WORD. The only thing it didn't work for was loneliness. I had to give that directly to GOD. GOD came to save. Your daughter may not be ready to receive the LORD but you and I can pray for her. GOD will not go against a person will but he can make them willing. GOD does not push people HE draws them. If your daughter is not ready to receive HIM you can draw her by the example of your walk with HIM.

Answer 5

if she wanted to commit sucicide, she would do it wether she is on pills or not, right?
I take welbutrin and xanix. I am in depression, but I have a fear of dying, so I am not gonna kill myself, well I hope not anyways. You should really talk to her doctor about that if it really concerns you. Good luck

Answer 6

I take Zoloft. It's a very mild drug. No side affects and it works great for me! :) Been taking it since my 20's!

Answer 7

PLEASE have your daughter evaluated by a second and even a third physician. Note I said physician.

Then if their diagnosis is still OCD, PLEASE read the article at http://www.ocdonline.com/definecbt.php
BEFORE you begin ANY chemical therapy program.

Many physicians believe that OCD is vastly different from ADD or depression which are chemical imbalances in the brain. Treating a disorder that is not chemical WITH chemicals seems questionable. Good luck.