Can Intrusive Thoughts Due To COD Be Managed And Treated So That A Normal Lifestyle Can Be Lead?

Posted on Wed, 4 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 4 Jul 2018 Answered on

Sat, 2 Jul 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

I've been suffering from OCD for the past 20 years. But, for the past few years, it has become very severe. I always feel that my 3 years old son has contacted rabies even though he only touched a cat. Moreover, I always feel that I will harm him in some way or the other. I'm going crazy.
Also, can you please prescribe me some medicine or antidepressants?
I need help. Help me.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide me more details.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I can understand your problem. The intrusive thoughts of harming your own son or fear that he might contract rabies are part of OCD only.

Since you have rabies since last 20 years so can you tell me that which medicines you are taking? Have you ever consulted a psychiatrist for this?

In OCD I usually prefer to start with Fluoxetine in my patients. Fluoxetine can help to control the obsessive thoughts and will surely help to reduce the anxiety. This will improve the negative thoughts in your mind.

Thanks

Please provide me details in follow up.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Hi,

I don't have rabies for the past 20 years but OCD. As of now, I have neither taken any medicine for OCD nor visited any doctor for the same.

Can you please prescribe me some medicines and the dosage of the same.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide me more details.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

This was a typing mistake. I am sorry for that!

As mentioned earlier please provide me more details about the symptoms. Like how the symptoms started. In what kind of situations you have intrusive unwanted thoguths. You have provided situations related to health of you or your child. Do you have any symptoms like repetitive hand washing, doubts and checking, keeping things in order, intrusive thoughts that something bad will happen etc?

Any relation of exacerbation of symptoms with external stress?

I can suggest you medicines with doses but for original prescription you have to visit a psychiatrist in person because of legal control.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)

My symptoms are as follows:

1) When I walk down the road, I always turn back to see if a dog is following me
2) Even if a table touches my body, I feel that a dog has scratched or bitten me
3) I open and close windows to see if any bats have entered the room or not as I am afraid they will bite me and I will die of rabies. bats, too, can transmit rabies.
4) In short, I always have intrusive thoughts of harming myself or my family and it's very difficult
5) In short, my life revolves around rabies. I think about it day and night

Please suggest me medicines and doses. I need to control my OCD as it is interfering tremendously and dangerously in my life.

I am waiting for your answer.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fluoxetine can be started.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The symptoms suggest OCD only and since these are resulting in impairment in your functioning so there is need for medicines and behaviour therapy.

Fluoxetine can be started with 20 mg dose in morning after breakfast and the dose can be increased to 40-60 mg after a couple of weeks. You should see improvement in around 4 weeks. This will help to reduce the unwanted thoughts.

The drug is safe to use and has no serious side effects. This could cause restlessness especially in first week of therapy but that would reduce by own.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (20 hours later)

Is this medicine safe? Will it decrease my intrusive thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The drug is safe.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Yes, the medicine is safe if used in prescribed doses. No need to get worried. There are no serious permanent side effects except mild drug related adverse effects.

Thanks

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng