OCD Information & Discounts

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OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves repetitive thoughts and actions that interfere with everyday activities. There are various treatments and medications for OCD. Review our coupons and discounts and get up to 75% off the retail price of your OCD medication. Our coupons can be printed or received via e-mail or mobile phone. They are ready to use and never expire. Claim your free coupons now or continue reading about OCD below.

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OCD Information & Discounts

General
Management
Types of Medication
Symptoms

What is OCD?

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is an anxiety disorder identified by repetitive thoughts or images that replay continuously in the mind. These obsessive thoughts can leave a person with feelings of fear and anxiety. The thoughts lead to compulsions to try and calm or stop the worry through obsessive washing or cleaning, repetitive checking, extreme hoarding, and relationship obsessions. OCD can lead to obsessive rituals such as locking or opening and closing a door so many times before moving on. An obsession with or aversion to certain numbers is also common. Individuals with OCD may appear to be psychotic and paranoid, but they often are aware of their obsessions and know that they are irrational.

Causes of OCD

The causes of OCD are still unclear, but cases of OCD have been linked to abnormalities with the neurotransmitter serotonin wherein serotonin is not effectively transmitted from one neuron to another. Scientists are not sure if these abnormalities are a cause or an effect of OCD. OCD has also been linked to the genetic mutation of the human serotonin transporter gene. Those individuals diagnosed with OCD are likely to have relatives that also exhibit signs of OCD. They also display abnormalities in the striatum of the brain which is affiliated with the ability to plan and initiate action. From an evolutionary perspective, OCD is perceived as a result of genes that are predisposed to hoarding, hygiene and constant checking. These genes evolved for our survival as a species, but are more prominently expressed in those with OCD.

How can I manage OCD?

Luckily OCD can be managed with treatment and medication. Treatments for OCD usually involve a combination of medication, behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Medication

Because OCD is linked to serotonin abnormalities, medications that regulate or boost serotonin levels are usually recommended. Medication is not a cure for OCD, but can reduce symptoms by 40-60%. To read more about OCD medications, see the Types of Medication section.

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven as one of the effective treatments for OCD. One type of cognitive behavioral therapy in particular called exposure and ritual prevention, or ERP, is said to be the best and most effective OCD treatment. ERP involves working with a therapist to confront the thoughts, images or objects that are causing anxiety and then making a commitment to abstain from the compulsive action that usually follows. The patient must abstain from completing the compulsive activity until feelings of anxiety finally start to dwindle. A newer cognitive therapy that has emerged is called association splitting. This therapy aims to reduce obsessive thoughts by having the patient focus on the thought causing anxiety and then create new associations to it in the mind. For example, instead of thinking of cancer and its terrifying aspects, the patient would associate it with something else like the Zodiac or Cancer the crab, snow crab, good food, etc. Therapy can be highly effective if patients are willing to stick with the program.

What are the different types of OCD medication?

SSRIs

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are used to treat depression and different types of personality and anxiety disorders, such as OCD. SSRIs increase levels of serotonin available in the synaptic gap in the brain. Because those with OCD have evinced abnormal serotonin levels, SSRIs are recommended as the best medication for OCD for those with moderate to severe impairment. Treatment with SSRIs usually takes six to eight weeks before the full effects of its potential to treat symptoms are realized. Side effects from SSRIs include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, strange dreams, changes in appetite, headaches and teeth grinding. Most side effects only occur during the first few weeks of treatment, except for sexual side effects such as low libido which may occur later in treatment.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes recommended as a second-line treatment for OCD, as they have more side effects than SSRIS, but they may also be more effective. It may take up to two months after starting treatment with tricyclic depressants to notice their full effects. Tricyclic antidepressants block both the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters which results in higher concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine in the synaptic gap. Tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs, also act as sodium and calcium channel blockers. This makes them very dangerous if taken in excess. Overdose on TCAs has a high mortality rate.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Symptoms of OCD include obsessive or repetitive thoughts surrounding an idea, image, object or even a number. These thoughts produce anxiety and fear which lead to compulsive actions such as repeatedly opening and closing a door or doing things a specified number of times. OCD interferes with an individual’s daily activities. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions take up a substantial part of the individual’s time. Symptoms of OCD may also include obsessive sexual or religious thoughts that lead to anxiety. Some may also exhibit signs of hoarding and treating inanimate objects similarly to living things. The Yale-Brown OCD scale may be used to diagnose OCD and its severity. Symptoms of OCD usually start to occur before the age of 18.

OCD Drug Information

Anafranil
Zoloft
Prozac

Anafranil Information

Anafranil, or clomipramine in its generic form, is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat OCD. It works by increasing the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Anafranil can be the best medication for OCD, but it also has more side effects than SSRI drugs. For this reason, drugs like Zoloft and Prozac are commonly recommended. Anafranil comes in the form of capsules to be taken orally. Follow instructions provided by your doctor. Treatment with Anafranil can take up to two months before reaching its full potential to improve symptoms of OCD. Side effects include: fatigue, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth, constipation, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate and others. Anafranil can be fatal if taken in excess. Withdrawal symptoms may occur when stopping treatment. Check our site for free coupons to get up to 75% off Anafranil at your local pharmacy.

Zoloft Information

Zoloft, or sertraline in its generic form, is an SSRI that works as an effective OCD treatment by improving serotonin levels. It is also used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks and PMDD. Zoloft may be purchased as a tablet or a liquid. Follow dosage instructions given to you by your doctor and do not stop medication or take more or less without asking your doctor first. It may take several weeks to notice the full effect of Zoloft on symptoms. Stopping treatment with Zoloft suddenly may lead to withdrawal symptoms. Thoughts of suicide and suicidal attempts are rare side effects from Zoloft and are more common in young people diagnosed with depression. Check our site for free Zoloft coupons and save up to 82% on the retail cost.

Prozac Information

Prozac, or fluoxetine in its generic form, is an SSRI that has been proven effective as an OCD treatment. It works by increasing serotonin levels. Prozac is also used to treat depression, PSD, PMDD, and panic disorder. This medication comes in a tablet or capsule to be taken orally on a regular schedule. Follow instructions given by your doctor. Do not take more or less of this medication that recommended by your doctor. Abrupt discontinuation of Prozac may cause withdrawal symptoms. Thoughts of suicide and suicidal attempts are rare side effects from Prozac and are more common in young people diagnosed with depression. Check our site for Prozac coupons and get up to 85% off the retail price.