Struggling with Sleep due to Somatic OCD: Should I Increase My Medication?

I am on Paxil for my OCD, and my doctor prescribed it to help with that and my sleep as well, since my sleep can be affected by my symptoms. My sleep quality has gotten a little better, to the point where I can go into REM some/most nights. However, I still struggle with getting to sleep because I have somatic OCD which makes me very aware of my body and it keeps me awake until everything is in the right condition for me to fall asleep. I also am still extremely tired during the day. I’m only at 20mg of Paxil right now, should I up my dosage or pursue getting meds specifically for my sleep?

Possible ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood: Seeking Advice

One of my newer doctors has been the first doctor to ever mention the possibility of adhd. I’ve thought it was a possibility and I definitely can see how this could be an issue, but I’m having a hard time figuring out why this would only be brought up now as an adult 🤔

Looking for Advice and Support on Dealing with OCD

Is there anyone I can chat to that has diagnosed OCD as I suspect I have it but just want some advice and to ask some questions. Thank you!!!

Concerns about Antidepressants and Side Effects

I've been offered antidepressants and worried it might make me feel drowsy, sleepy and potentially make me gain weight. Are these fears based on reality? or am I been paranoid?

Seeking Advice: Talking to Psychiatrist about ADHD Diagnosis and Medication

How did you talk to your psychiatrist in order to get a diagnosis and medication for adhd

Understanding the Overlap between OCD, Autism, and Anxiety

My new therapist says my OCD symptoms could actually be autism and anxiety, can someone tell me how these overlap? I can’t find any solid information online.

Dealing with Intrusive Paranoia at Night

Does anyone else have/have had and issue with intrusive paranoid thoughts hitting you like a truck out of nowhere? I'ts currently 2am as of typing this and I can't sleep because I just got an overwhelming fear that something bad is going to happen while I'm asleep, or that I might not even wake up at all. I've had no paranoia prior to this and my routines were completed so I don't know why I'm having such paranoia. I know that its very unlikely but my brain won't stop thinking and filling me with fear. Would it be possible if anyone had any tips or ways to help manage spontaneous paranoia? It would be much appreciated

Questioning if I have OCD and its relation to bipolar disorder

i am questioning whether or not i have ocd. i have been diagnosed for a year or so after my symptoms were increased after going on adderall (bad idea lol). my symptoms: - have a specific self care ritual, obsessed with cleanliness. have to wear gloves some days to cope or shower more than once - have to do things in sets of threes to calm my intrusive thoughts (relocking the car, locking door, etc). sometimes i have to do it over and over again but it's always in a group of three - intrusive thoughts that are very distressing - a few others i can't recall at the moment also, my mom said i was obsessed with organization as a child or else i would get super upset. no idea how relevant this is i know this all sounds textbook to an extent but for whatever reason i have no idea. my current psychiatrist thinks i do but says that it can also be contributed to some sort of mania since i am also bipolar.

Dealing with Intrusive Thoughts and Sleep Anxiety

How do you deal with knowing something isn't true, but feeling like you need to do a certain action associated with it anyway? For example, thinking "I need to do (action) in order to fall asleep. If I don't do (action) then I won't sleep and something bad will happen" when past experiences have proven to me that I can fall asleep even without doing that action. My brain will come up with weird explanations for why I was able to sleep last time without doing (action) like "I was in a different room that time." And lately I have been struggling a lot because I've been the last person to fall asleep in the house, I keep planning on falling asleep earlier but something always gets in the way (like this time, my family member wanted to go to the store at the same time I had set my sleep alarm to start winding down for bed). My thoughts have just been a huge struggle for me lately and I feel extremely alone which is why I was hoping the Alike community might be able to offer some coping advice. Thanks.

Realizing the Impact of OCD: Self-Analysis and Perspective

When I was diagnosed with OCD, I relised how much I wasn't aware if my symptoms until my cindition was brought up by my psychiatrist. I still go through times where I notice my behavior that I now see very diffrently because I would have thought nothing if it, but now everything has been put into perspective. This has added on to my own self analyzing and I was wondering if anyone else has a tendancy to feel this way as well?

Anxiety vs OCD: How to Tell the Difference with Mental Compulsions

How do you tell the difference between anxiety and OCD with mental compulsions? I have always had consistent anxious, ruminating thoughts, and I have long reached for a certain person mentally as a way of calming those anxieties. That person is no longer a comfort, but my brain continues to go to them as an attempt to quiet the ruminating thoughts and spinning feeling in my chest and head. I am autistic and also have stimming behavior and general movement as a normal part of my life that my abusive mother used to yell at me would cause ocd, so it's been a common worry for much of my life even though I've never been diagnosed with it. I've been wondering, lately, if my compulsions might be mental rather than physical and that that might be why my anxiety and depression have been treatment resistant. Can anyone differentiate these for me?

Struggling with Social Anxiety: How to Reconnect with Friends

im feeling a lot better agter getting off medication but im still too scared to get out and see friends. im just getting into voice calls and stuff and feeling less anxious about it. my mom is really pushing me to have people over and go to friends houses but its so hard to not be anxious just THINKING about a person coming over. im 17 and i WANT to be like any other teenager. 2021 i was doing things and comstantly out and about. but 2022 and 2023 have been the absolute worst and i completely lost my social self. im a recluse, im hidden, and i dont know how to escape. i make excuses and im scared to have 10 minute visits with friends

Feeling Empty: How Do I Help Myself?

I feel this really weird version of sadness, that I don't quite know how to explain. Its this very empty feeling, and I can feel my mind and body need something but I can't pin down what I need as it isn't a physical need, but an emotional one. I will start crying but its more me sitting in silence with tears running down my face rather than a more active way of crying. I don't know what this is and I don't know how to help it. It usually comes out at night. I'ts making me extremely uncomfortable but I have no idea how to help myself, this is one of the rare times I truly am clueless. I needed to get this out of my mind.

Living with OCD and ADHD: Which One Affects You More?

OCD and ADHD have a high comorbidity rate so my friends who are lucky to have them both like me, which one effects you the most?

Concerns about propranolol and low heart rate

I am struggling with anxiety getting worse at the moment and have been given propranolol again. I'm a bit concerned about my heart rate getting too low if I start it. My resting pulse rate is 50-55 without medication, even though psychologically I always feel like my heart is racing. Before when I was on propranolol I used to get dizzy, super tired and have horrible trippy dreams. Does anyone have issues with low heart rate on propranolol?

First Time Neurology Visit for ADHD, OCD and Anxiety

Hello all! I am new to the app. I hoped to find people similar to me that will relate to my experiences. I am going to the neurologist for the first time tomorrow after seeing my pcp about ADHD and they also believe that I have OCD and anxiety issues on top of that. With the visit I am hoping to get some things affirmed and start getting the help I need so I can feel functional again for the first time in forever. After my appointment as a treat for finally going he will be taking me out for all you can eat sushi!

Do Psych Meds Help or Hurt You?

Do your psych meds help or hurt you? Do you live better with or without? Has your life improved or gotten worse since you started taking them? I was watching a YouTube video by an influencer I really like. And she was saying how she quit her meds cold turkey and talked about how great she feels without them. And how they were probs unnecessary. Which for her is excellent. She was not bashing meds by any means but that was just her experience and other ppl commented agreeing with her. Which is totally cool, no judgment. Meds are for sure not for everyone. And if you don't have to take them- more power to you. I had the opposite feeling as the others. I was grossly overmedicated (terrible psychiatrists) for a long time and was a zombie and my marriage sucked and I got into a bad car accident. Then went thru the process of finding the right cocktail. And am off over half of the meds. Which is still quite a few. But after finding the right mix, I feel the best I've ever felt. My life has drastically changed since being on meds. And things aren't perfect, of course- some things suck and are hard. But I feel more alert, rational, and smarter (well having more access to my thoughts and processing faster) and also I don't sleep 16 hrs a day. I actually enjoy most days. And I'm alive and finally functioning at my best. Sobriety helps a lot too. Admittedly, there were many very bad years of crippling side effects and untreated symptoms. But after finding the right meds, everything is great. No noticeable side effects that I can remember at this moment. I mostly am happy with my life as a whole. Again, not perfect but great. How do you feel about your meds?

BPD and ASD: Overlapping Symptoms?

my current diagnosis is bpd, ocd, social anxiety, afrid.. but over the past few months my sensory issues have been getting worse… I’ve been researching ASD and it’s resonating a lot, has anyone had similar symptoms to ASD but had a BPD diagnosis?? I’m scared to bring it up to my DBT therapist :/

How to tell if Zoloft is working?

how do I know if zoloft is working? I switched to it (150mg) from lexapro (150mg) and I'm not sure I feel any different.

Is it OCD, anxiety or control issues?

does anyone know if this is OCD or anxiety related or if I just have control issues that are unsolved, yesterday I came home and my mom had taken everything out of my room including furniture because she was trying to deep clean it but when she was done she took everything off of the walls to patch holes and paint them and then moved my furniture completely different then how I liked it and I freaked out I felt like I was crawling out of my skin because my room was now unfamiliar to me it caused an entire panic attack too the only other time I've seen some be frantic the way I was last night was when my friend (who has OCD) her mom did the samea thing. I'm not saying it is but I'm just curious if anyone knows if it's OCD, anxiety, or my need to control my own life