Hi, you might have obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD (with the emphasis on might have). This is where the brain ruminates or small loops, and it can become worse during periods of stress.
In addition, there is a subcategory of rapid onset OCD and one study found that 50% of cases in this subcategory were caused by PANDAS, which is where antibodies to strep also attack the basal ganglia of the brain. So if you symptoms worsen a brief to moderate time after getting a sore throat, this might be something to consider.
Now, I'm telling you this because I think you have a right to know. But here, I really advise you to take a deep breath and remember there's such a thing informally called 'medical student's disease,' which is where a medical student reads about something exotic especially if it includes some vague symptoms and becomes emotionally convinced that he or she has it, more so than intellectually convinced.
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Okay, if you do have OCD, medications like Prozac help both with the OCD and with depression. But, and this is important, Prozac might work great for some people and not do a thing for other, just that everyone's biochem tends to be a little different. In a respectable sense, it's trial and error, and so you may need to cycle through a series of medications, which is okay. In fact, I'd encourage you to embrace the trial and error aspect. And also, it's sometimes important to step down from a medication in phases even if it doesn't seem to be working.
And personally, I have not been real impressed with either psychologists or psychiatrists, finding they often have a pet theory they care about, seemingly more than the human being right in front of them. Other people here at WrongPlanet have had good experiences. Another good option is to go to a 'regular' doctor such as an internist or family practitioner (who used to be called a 'general practitioner'), or even your longtime pediatrician if he or she still sees older teens and young adults, and I understand that most do. And since it's trial and error, the traits needed on the part of the doctor are light touch and willingness to tinker with dosage and medication. (And you're the one to decide if the side effects are acceptable, but if they're not, phase down rather than stop abruptly.)
Having one or several people to talk to about this might help, who need not necessarily be mental-health professionals. Reading about cognitive behavior therapy and other psychology might help, although a lot of it in truth comes down to zen techniques.
If it does turn out that it's the sub- subcategory where antibodies to strep are a major contributing cause, taking antibiotics longterm like people do for acne or ear infections might help. You definitely need a doctor for this, and it may take more than one to find one who's well-informed about this. Or alternatively, bring an otherwise good doctor up to speed on this.
And, be open to adding free positives to your life, perhaps especially during difficult times.
03 Jun 2013, 4:26 am
