Zoloft or Prozac better for ocd?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an OCD therapist. The issue with SSRIs for OCD is that they are "supposed" to be at the highest possible dosages, as in that's what is evidence based. Meaning like 200mg. That's a lot for a young person to tolerate, so don't be discouraged if they try the meds and the side effects are too difficult. ERP works wonders.

But our neuropsychologist said ERP is cruel and torturous unless the child is medicated. Is this true in your experience as an OCD therapist ?
-OP

This is crazy. ERP is evidence based and the gold standard of care for OCD. No one in their right mind would say that about ERP, it's the first thing that's tried (before more radical therapies like ketamine or TMS).

My biggest advice is to find someone REALLY trained in ERP. Don't just go to psychology today. In general, the better the therapist the fewer things they will treat. Be wary of therapists who have 20 disordered and modalities listed on their website. ERP is dangerous when done poorly and you really need someone who knows what they're doing.

[Anonymous]

Prozac or Zoloft - OCD usually responds best to higher dose range of SSRIs

[Anonymous]

OP, read about current Exposure and Response Prevention treatment for OCD so you understand it better. As another parent who has a teen with OCD, I can’t emphasize enough becoming knowledgeable about OCD.

OCD is insidious. I know from our own family’s experience that we had unknowingly accommodated our child’s OCD for years (helping them avoid things, modifying things, overly reassuring, participating in checking and ruminating, etc.) which made the OCD worse.

Whether also medicated or not, with ERP your child will partner with the OCD therapist to develop their exposures ladder and to choose which exposures they work on going from easiest to hardest over time. Between therapy sessions, the whole family supports your child’s ERP practice.

The International OCD Foundation has an up-to-date evidenced-based treatment guide for OCD on their website which lists first, second, and third-line treatment approaches. It covers evidence-based medications and explains ERP under first-line treatments.

https://iocdf.org/ocd-treatment-guide/

“OCD can be a chronic and sometimes debilitating disorder. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help manage OCD symptoms, greatly reduce suffering and possibly experience full relief. While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for people living with OCD, there are many first, second, and third-line approaches that can get individuals on a treatment journey so they can thrive.

The treatment guide below outlines the first, second, and third-line treatment approaches available to those impacted by OCD. It also outlines adjunctive treatments that can be incorporated to help improve treatment response, as well as treatments to avoid that are ineffective and potentially harmful.

Use the guide below to educate yourself on all evidence-based treatments for OCD so you are equipped with the knowledge to build out a treatment plan with your care team.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an OCD therapist. The issue with SSRIs for OCD is that they are "supposed" to be at the highest possible dosages, as in that's what is evidence based. Meaning like 200mg. That's a lot for a young person to tolerate, so don't be discouraged if they try the meds and the side effects are too difficult. ERP works wonders.

Do you think ERP is not as effective without meds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, read about current Exposure and Response Prevention treatment for OCD so you understand it better. As another parent who has a teen with OCD, I can’t emphasize enough becoming knowledgeable about OCD.

OCD is insidious. I know from our own family’s experience that we had unknowingly accommodated our child’s OCD for years (helping them avoid things, modifying things, overly reassuring, participating in checking and ruminating, etc.) which made the OCD worse.

Whether also medicated or not, with ERP your child will partner with the OCD therapist to develop their exposures ladder and to choose which exposures they work on going from easiest to hardest over time. Between therapy sessions, the whole family supports your child’s ERP practice.

The International OCD Foundation has an up-to-date evidenced-based treatment guide for OCD on their website which lists first, second, and third-line treatment approaches. It covers evidence-based medications and explains ERP under first-line treatments.

https://iocdf.org/ocd-treatment-guide/

“OCD can be a chronic and sometimes debilitating disorder. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help manage OCD symptoms, greatly reduce suffering and possibly experience full relief. While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for people living with OCD, there are many first, second, and third-line approaches that can get individuals on a treatment journey so they can thrive.

The treatment guide below outlines the first, second, and third-line treatment approaches available to those impacted by OCD. It also outlines adjunctive treatments that can be incorporated to help improve treatment response, as well as treatments to avoid that are ineffective and potentially harmful.

Use the guide below to educate yourself on all evidence-based treatments for OCD so you are equipped with the knowledge to build out a treatment plan with your care team.”

This is a great post - my young adult dc has ocd and has been dealing with it for years. The best therapists will help your dc learn tools to manage the ocd. It can also take time to find the right therapist even if they have great credentials.

Medicine alone is not sufficient. My dd had been on Zoloft for anxiety but it wasn’t until she saw an ocd therapist that she saw improvement.