Escitalopram for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Rmp...
• January 14, 2022

"After a move a few months ago, I developed severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and while I haven’t officially been diagnosed, I know I have OCD (I’ll check repeatedly if I unplugged my straightener, or I’ll have intrusive thoughts that I obsess over throughout the day). Well, my Dr. started me on 5 mg of escitalopram, then to 10 mg. I’m now at 15 mg, which was just upped 3 days ago. My first three weeks, I had a lot of ups and downs (I’m only in the middle of week 5 of starting the medication). But eventually, the side effects started to subside. Now that my dose has been upped, I notice some of the side effects are back to an extent (anxiety, obsessive thoughts…). I’m hoping these side effects are just temporary, like when I first started taking it. Has anyone else experienced this? I can’t wait to get back to living my life again! I keep reading everyone’s positive reviews, and it really helps!"

• mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

"Started Lexapro 10 mg on Oct 8 to treat OCPD. So far, haven't felt any side effects or feel like the medication has begun to work at all. I'm hopeful my stress, mood, depression, and suicidal thoughts go away, and I can begin to enjoy being me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2018

"I have been suffering from severe intrusive thoughts about suicide for the last few months. After researching online, I feel OCD is the best fit for what I am going through. Constant thoughts and seeking reassurance, and mental checks that I won’t act on them. After trying to get through it on my own, I finally broke down and went to the doctor. He prescribed 5 mg daily. Hardly any side effects, and after the first 10 days, I felt amazing. I thought I had found a miracle cure! I was able to think rationally, and intrusive thoughts drastically decreased. Now I am on week 3 and feel like I am back to where I started. I think it is common that this can happen, and hopefully, if I stick it out for 6 weeks, I will feel great again. Fingers crossed!"

• Im...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

"So far, it's been about 12 days on this medicine. Not long enough to give a decent review, however, I just wanted to say to anyone struggling with PURE O, I'm with you. I took Zoloft for 3 and 1/2 years, it worked, kept the intrusive thoughts at bay. However, I stopped to get pregnant, but then the pandemic hit, and we decided to wait... Tried to take it again, and it didn't work this time, it gave me more anxiety. I also tried Luvox, which was too strong for me, a lot of side effects. Flash forward to now, I'm stuck in a severe OCD episode. I started at 10 mg, and for about 5 days, I've been at 20 mg, no major side effects except more anxiety and more intrusive thoughts. It's also hard to get out of bed in the morning. I really just wanted to say, if you're struggling in the first few weeks like me, hang in there! I know it takes 5-8 weeks or longer... I'm praying we can all get over this hurdle and back to feeling like ourselves! God bless you all."

• Mys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2021

"Short Answer: From my experience, the escitalopram does work. I currently intake a 10 mg sized escitalopram, and it does its job continuously as I take it every morning when I wake up. Long Answer: I've experienced both a 5 mg size and 10 mg size of escitalopram. I haven't used the 5 mg size as prominently as I have with the 10 mg size to give my full thoughts on that size, but I can tell you that the 10 mg size does work. I take it every morning as soon as I wake up, swallowing it with my saliva, or if it doesn't go down all the way, I'd make it go all the way down my throat with a bit of water (never a lot). I didn't notice at first, but after a while, I realized I haven't been much anxious or fearful as I used to, and that my head had been less busy. After noticing, I could then say that the escitalopram was working and treats my OCD. It's been so long since I've experienced symptoms of my OCD that I forgot a bit of how it tortured me."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2021

"I'm 34, and I had anxiety and OCD my whole life, but it never limited my life, and I always believed those who were limited by such problems were weak. Life came to give me a lesson. After I saw Alzheimer’s in my family, I began to question my sanity, and then all the strategies I had my whole life didn't work. I felt so low. Luckily, I'm not someone who is afraid of drugs or to ask for help, so I almost immediately did. I was put on 10 mg of escitalopram for a week, then 20 mg. I'm now on it for 2 months. The first 2 weeks were worse, and thanks to this website, the feedback of others gave me hope. The first 3 days, I was the most depressed of my life (didn't even want to answer when someone spoke to me). But after 2 weeks, I started to see relief, and now after 2 months, I can finally believe I will have my life back. I recommend having a psychological expert to help, the key is simple but hard: resilience-accepting we are vulnerable and must accept we can't control everything."

• mis...
• May 16, 2022

"Before taking escitalopram, I was in a very bad place mentally. I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety/OCD, and waking up every day became unbearable… repetitive, irrational intrusive thoughts that wouldn’t stop. I felt I was losing my mind. Was prescribed 10 mg, but took 5 mg at first because I was breastfeeding. I had NO relief on 5 mg and honestly felt worse. I gave in and took the full 10 mg, and that was completely game-changing! I can feel myself in a better mood and finding the joy in life with my children again. Am I cured? Not at all. I still have intrusive thoughts, but I can brush them off 10 times better now. Thankful I gave it another shot."

• Cal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2021

"I'm writing this review after coming to this website when I was prescribed Lexapro in May 2021 at the age of 31. My whole life I have suffered from horrible bouts of crippling anxiety and intrusive thoughts without ever knowing what was wrong. In February of 2021, my anxiety and intrusive thoughts were so crippling that I could no longer function normally since I was consumed by the intrusive thoughts - I considered quitting my job, leaving my boyfriend, and couldn't socialize. After speaking to a psychiatrist, I learned that I was facing SO OCD, ROCD, False Memory OCD, and Real Event OCD. She put me on 5 mg of Lexapro and have since bumped it up to 20 mg, which I feel is the right dose for me since I am now able to live my life and experience happiness. Relief is definitely not instant, however, and I want to underscore the fact that, at least for me, medicine MUST be coupled with an experienced psychologist who practices CPT & ERP. My only side effects have been sweating and tiredness."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2011

Escitalopram "I have been on Lexapro since August of 2009. Initially, the OCD went away altogether, but it has recently returned as of July 2011. I'm pregnant in my third trimester, so it may not be working as well due to body chemistry changes of pregnancy. But I'm not sure if it could also not be working as well due to what is informally known as 'Prozac poopout,' which according to my psychiatrist may happen to some patients anywhere from possibly a year but may not happen until 30 years on the medicine. Time will only tell if Lexapro will continue to work for me. I'm not sure what to do if it stops working completely. I am also on Seroquel to help with the symptoms and help me sleep since SSRIs tend to keep me up at night."

• Fou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2022

"I've been on escitalopram for 11 weeks in total, going from 5 mg to 10 mg and now to 15 mg. Almost 5 weeks (in 2 days) on 15 mg. I have pure O, had it off and on in bouts/waves since I was around 9 years old. Escitalopram has helped me get from one of my worst lows to almost normalcy again, and I am really thankful. I'm wondering if it will be even better at 20 mg, but I'm going to stay at 15 mg until I notice my anxiety more. My intrusive thoughts have really diminished, and they are a lot quieter now and easier to brush off (they aren't completely gone though). There were times when I thought it wasn't working fast enough, and when I first started it, my anxiety did get worse, but only for a few days from what I remember. Going up to 15 mg also made my anxiety go up a little, I think, but I know this really depends on the individual. Just for reference, I've only been taking meds, not been going to therapy at the same time. Do whatever works for you! Thanks to everyone who posts their experiences!"

• MTB...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2023

"These reviews have helped me keep up hope and look ahead to a more positive future once my new dosage has stabilized. I've been on Cipralex since my early 20s for panic disorder and depression. I was supposed to be on 10 mg, but stubborn as I am, I wanted to stay on 5 mg. It worked so-so for several years. I just turned 36, and my anxiety, and what looks to be a bit of compulsive disorder, reached an all-time high. I felt dread over every little thing that might go wrong. I was constantly on guard for what might go wrong. Even how things looked, say not aesthetically pleasing, made me depressed. The worst was the intrusive thoughts pulling me down: thoughts about 'what if' I reached the point where I would hurt myself or someone else, go crazy in public, insult someone. I upped my dose, as originally instructed by my doctor. After 1 week, I'm feeling so much better already. More stable, and the intrusive thoughts have lessened a lot! I'm working on a more positive outlook as well."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2019

"The first time I was on it for a year, and it made absolutely no difference. When I got off it, no withdrawal side effects or mood change, basically a sugar pill. This time I was on for 1.5 years. Again, no help for OCD, depression, or anxiety at 20 mg. AND I developed panic disorder on this. I've always had panic attacks, but usually only a few per year. With this med, there were times that for 2 weeks at a time, daily I'd wake up and have a panic attack lasting 1-8 hours. Yes, 8 hours in a full-blown panic attack with all the classic symptoms. Getting off the meds over 6 weeks: the first 2 dose decreases, my OCD actually improved 3%, but once I got down to 5 mg and 0 mg, the withdrawal hit me: Daily panic attacks, headache, nausea, stomach issues, floating head, insomnia, short-tempered, lack of cognition, suicidal ideation. Gene testing like GeneSight: you can't rely on the info they give you. This was in my column of meds that should work along with others I had bad reactions to."

• oKA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

"No help for my OCD whatsoever from a low dose of Lexapro. I have only taken this medication so far, so it is my only experience. I did not feel it has been any easier to avoid tapping, obsessive handwashing, or ruminating on Lexapro."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2016

"I have severe anxiety. Constantly thinking bad things are going to happen also worries, and I get panic attacks at least once a day and automatically in the heat. I was on 25 mg of amitriptyline for six months. I thought it worked okay for sleep, but then I stopped because I thought I didn't need it anymore. Now I have never had such bad anxiety. I feel like my muscles are always tense. I started Lexapro 3 weeks ago on 10 mg, recently went up to fifteen. I'm so tired, and my panic attacks are still there. The only good thing so far is I am sleeping like a log. I tried it at night, and I had insomnia, so now I take it in the morning. My doctor told me if my anxiety is still there, go up to twenty. Sometimes I feel I will never feel myself again."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2023

"If you’re trying to decide whether or not to try this, definitely just give it a solid week of trying. After 4 weeks on this medication in combination with talk therapy, I am finally starting to feel like my normal self again. There is hope, make the leap of faith."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 16, 2023

"If you’re struggling with OCD, intrusive thoughts, etc., PLEASE try an SSRI. I struggled with OCD (intrusive thoughts) for most of my adult life. It literally ruined me for months at a time. When my wife became pregnant with our son, the disease attacked, and I fell into a deep hole. She finally convinced me to try an SSRI, my PCP prescribed me 10 mg of Lexapro, and it absolutely changed my life. For the last 14 months, I can honestly say that the intrusive thoughts that used to control me are barely even there. If they do come, I can shake them off with relative ease. I did gain some weight, but I will happily take that. I realize it does not work the same for everyone, but for me, it made all the difference in the world. I used to stay up all night, wrecked by terrible thoughts, reading reviews like this, looking for help. If you’re in that same boat, please do yourself a favor and try it out. It may make a world of difference."

• Thu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2016

"I have been on escitalopram for 3 months or so. I take it for mild panic attacks, and it seems to have knocked them out for the most part. A side benefit is that my OCD has pretty much been eliminated. I didn't really realize that I had OCD, but I guess I have always had it. Nothing severe, I couldn't have remotes, cell phones, or similar items pointing at me, and at work, I used to make sure I did everything in a certain order while having all my tools lined up in specific ways. I think now I do it out of habit, but I'm not scrambling to put something in order if I notice that it isn't. I'm not sure what my dosage is, but I haven't experienced any negative side effects that I can think of. Hope you all have the same benefits that I do."

• Med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2022

"I started this med in November 2021 after trying others for the first time in my life, but I was tired all the time, so the doctor switched me to Lexapro. Started with 5 mg for 1 month and then up to 10 mg the second month. The first 5 days were tough, but I committed, and my family helped me go through it. After that, no more side effects, and the benefits have been great! I can manage my fears and OCD episodes way better. I also take weekly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Thinking of upgrading to 15 mg, but I don't know if it would make a high difference. I totally recommend it."

• Gai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2022

"I only took one 5 mg of this. Four hours later, I began feeling woozy and sick. My heart began racing at 9 and beating hard. I had this nearly all night. Thought they'd go away as the drug wore off, and I had a low dose. But at 3 the next day, urgent care sent me to the hospital, where they had to do a cardioversion of my heart to reset it. Anyway, I am a 52-year-old female who weighs 125 and will never, ever try that drug or anything similar again."

• Cli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2016

"I started taking this after Celexa stopped working for me (from Celexa to Lexapro). I noticed the results immediately. SSRIs work incredibly fast for me, within hours. I have no sexual dysfunction like with some other SSRIs. I started from 10 mg to balance the 20 mg of Celexa since they are the same. I then went to 20 mg of Lexapro. I have been spaced out since. I think that I get more frequent depersonalization. It does help with my anxiety levels most of the time. However, it doesn't really affect my OCD. I just got put on 30 mg, which I started today and am skeptical about it. I don't want to feel like a zombie all day or wake up every day with horrible depersonalization. Overall, it is okay for reducing anxiety."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2012

Escitalopram "I took Lexapro for approximately 3 years for OCD and panic attacks. Initially, it did help the OCD and anxiety, but I then seemed to adjust to it, and it did nothing for me anymore. I did gain about 15 lbs on it. It took me about 8-10 weeks to get off it, and I have to say the withdrawal is the WORST feeling in the world. Now that I'm free of it, I'm back to the OCD and panic attacks, but can't say I would go back on the Lexapro."

• Esc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2021

"I have been on escitalopram for like 3 months now, and it’s been incredible for my symptoms from OCD. Although sometimes the intrusive thoughts take place, the good news is that I am more capable of ignoring them and getting past them. Definitely a good drug that has worked for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing the following results."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2021

"I've been struggling with Harm OCD for five years. It comes and goes in episodes. I experienced my third major episode two weeks ago and immediately had to start again with Lexapro like I did previous times. This time I had to start on 20 mg to have quicker and more effect. After 1.5 weeks of taking the medicine I already feel much better. Thoughts still come and sometimes they still scare me, but I'm now much more able to let them come and go and not overreact or go into panic. I'll ask my doctor to go down to 10 or even 5 mg in a few months as I don't want to build tolerance, but for now this medicine really helps me to be able to live again a normal life instead of always obsessing about the thoughts and the what if questions. I only have one side effect: less libido and more difficult to ejaculate, but compared to the improved quality of life I'll take these side effects anytime above OCD."

• Win...
• July 3, 2018

"Second day taking generic Lexapro. Haven't taken an antidepressant for 14 years, I'm 32 now. My anxiety is starting to get the best of me, as well as my depression. I'm actually on Lexapro for my OCD, which I've had forever. I have touch rituals before I leave the house that I'm ready to get rid of now. But man, I feel so good today, I am loving life. I hope the comedown is bearable, as well as the side effects. I have read the bad side effects from others' testimonials, but so far so good for me. My PCP accidentally misdiagnosed me last week with ADHD, which I took Ritalin for when I was young. I totally forgot to mention my OCD, so he gave me this stimulant called Vyvanse for ADHD. I took it for 2 days and went into a deep depression I haven't felt since I was a teen. I was high all day and had every common and uncommon side effect. It was brutal, it took a couple of days to return to normal. But I gotta say I can tell the Lexapro is helping."

• Itc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2018

"I don't think it suits me. I've changed meds from paroxetine to escitalopram. It takes me more time in my morning rituals. It increased negative thoughts and obsessions in my mind. Thus, I have to repeat over and over again the rituals to ease out the obsessions longer now with escitalopram compared to paroxetine."