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What Are The Best Natural Supplements To Take For OCD?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2015
Question: What is the best natural supplements to take for ocd? I am now taking inositol not much help.
My doctor does not deal with anything but physical problrms. Most do not know anything about natural
supplements. I am considering 5htp.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Have listed all the possible supplements there are for OCD :)

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand how natural supplements and such nutrient supplements may not be widely known by doctors, this is mainly because their effectivity has always been questionable and so not many doctors have considered putting in an effort to learn more about them.

I have although read a few articles about their effectivity and those which have been listed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They are:

+Inositol (which you are already on): Good effect reported

+Milk thistle: There have been good outcomes with milk thistle and I would recommend giving it a try ma'am

+Caffeine: Effectivity has not been clearly studied or proved, but some individuals have reported good results with caffeine use

+L-theanine: Can be found in green tea and has shown good results

+St. Johns Wort: Questionable effect due to different studies reporting different effects on test subjects, but there have been no side effects at all, so you can consider trying this even

+Tryptophan or hydroxytryptophan:Extensive studies have shown that it can be helpful in treating OCD and other anxiety disorders

+N-acetylcysteine: Mainly to treat compulsive disorders, but has shown promising results in treating OCD as well

These are all the possible natural supplements that can be used in treating OCD, and I hope you can find all the information you were seeking with the above given list ma'am. I too strongly recommend 5-HTP, and wish you lots of luck.

Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, i am always here to help. I also really hope you liked my response.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING.
WOULD INOSITOL AND 5HTP BE COMPATIBLE? IF SO WHAT DOSAGE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND.

DO THINK ANY OF THE OTHER SUPPLEMENTS WOULD BE BETTER OR
IN COMBINATION WITH THE ABOVE.
YYYY@YYYY .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No interactions listed, pls do not self medicate, 18 mg inositol, 50mg 5HTP

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Yes, they are compatible and do not have such interactions listed ma'am. :)

About 18 mg (approximately) of inositol can be taken on a daily basis, and about 50 mg of 5-HTP per day.

But if at all you do not experience any improvement with 5-HTP, I would like to recommend sertraline or venlafaxine to you, but only after an elaborate discussion/consultation with a psychiatrist who will surely be able to guide you through this. :)

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Are The Best Natural Supplements To Take For OCD?

Brief Answer: Have listed all the possible supplements there are for OCD :) Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand how natural supplements and such nutrient supplements may not be widely known by doctors, this is mainly because their effectivity has always been questionable and so not many doctors have considered putting in an effort to learn more about them. I have although read a few articles about their effectivity and those which have been listed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They are: +Inositol (which you are already on): Good effect reported +Milk thistle: There have been good outcomes with milk thistle and I would recommend giving it a try ma'am +Caffeine: Effectivity has not been clearly studied or proved, but some individuals have reported good results with caffeine use +L-theanine: Can be found in green tea and has shown good results +St. Johns Wort: Questionable effect due to different studies reporting different effects on test subjects, but there have been no side effects at all, so you can consider trying this even +Tryptophan or hydroxytryptophan:Extensive studies have shown that it can be helpful in treating OCD and other anxiety disorders +N-acetylcysteine: Mainly to treat compulsive disorders, but has shown promising results in treating OCD as well These are all the possible natural supplements that can be used in treating OCD, and I hope you can find all the information you were seeking with the above given list ma'am. I too strongly recommend 5-HTP, and wish you lots of luck. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, i am always here to help. I also really hope you liked my response. Best wishes.