PenguincatSenior Contributor
Fear of medication
Hi, I am new to diagnosis of OCD and have been struggling a lot with thoughts of contamination and poisoning (and debilitating anxiety). My GP has prescribed me an antidepressant [name edited by moderator] at a low dose to trial, along with other medications [name edited by moderator] for particularly bad high anxiety days. However, I am scared to take it! My brain is not cooperating, and I keep thinking that if I do take the meds that something bad will happen to me... My doctor affirmed me that nothing bad will happen to me if I take the antidepressant with my iron supplement and that it's a safe combination. Even antidepressant iron tablet and anxiety medication on a rough day wouldn't pose any harm apparently... I've also been making a tonne of excuses not to take them. I have been on this medication before, years ago, and it helped me a lot when I was having panic attacks. Since I have not been on medication for 4 years I've gotten sober and this has improved my wellbeing greatly, and I think I'm dealing with some shame about still needing to fall back onto medication for help. I don't know where this shame comes from but if it were a friend or family member needing support for OCD, I would be empathetic to the situation and encourage them to focus on the benefits of meds, but when it comes to myself I just can't seem to find the words to tell myself it is ok to take medication (even though I have taken meds this exact med in the past! argh). I don't see my therapist for a couple weeks and thought I'd reach out to the community for support in the meantime. I am just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with medications, and how you have overcome it. Thanks