Escitalopram for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Hype
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2024

"I truly cannot believe this drug exists. I was stable with OCD and anxiety for a long time, but life was still not quite right. Then in summer, I had a new bout of OCD intrusive thoughts so disturbing I was crying every day. And so, out of desperation, I went on this and WOW! Like, not only are the thoughts wiped away by 99%, but I'm so much happier and myself in every other aspect of life. I feel emotions so fully and appropriately. I can enjoy a sunset. I can take baby steps towards goals instead of going from 0 to 100 right away. Sex has improved beyond words because I am so present. My creativity has overflowed. My relationships have improved. I thought there was something wrong with me and now I just feel SO me I'm beaming all the time!"

• Melis...
• July 27, 2015

"I was started on 5mg. No effect. Then went to 10 mg. Oh my god, I feel absolutely fantastic. Intrusive thoughts are easier to brush off, a little bit of increased appetite and tiredness, and that's it!! Brilliant. This is the only one that's worked for me!! I have been on sertraline and Prozac, and they were no good. Fab drug. Will be staying on this one."

• PANSE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2018

"I have been using this excellent medicine for the last 4 months for severe OCD. I started on 10 mg and now I am on 40 mg. It has almost completely cured my OCD. I saw an 80%-90% reduction of my symptoms. I would advise everyone with OCD to use this excellent drug. It would help you get cured. The best dosage is between 20-40 mg for the drug to show its maximum potential. For me personally, 30-40 mg is the best dosage."

• Caily
• June 4, 2014

"Began this medication about 5 weeks ago. Currently taking 15mg (escitalopram) and obsessive worrying is so much better/decreased. Minimal side effects in the beginning: some dizziness, some nausea but only at 5-10mg, tiredness that went away and so now take medicine in the morning as it will cause insomnia if I take it in the evening. My sleep is better, appetite better, and I am back to exercising, and anxiety is decreased. I am told I can continue to see results up to 12 weeks."

• xyz
• May 2, 2014

"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - always in limbo. Have only been on Cipralex (5mg) a few days, and I already feel better. I have been an OCD sufferer for years, tried nearly all medications, and only Prozac worked, but the side effects made me stop. Without medicines, I was getting worse, and now I hope to start getting my life back. On such a low dose, I have no side effects. Hoping all you guys with OCD get better."

• Nana
• September 25, 2019

"I developed a chemical imbalance 6 years ago, producing anxiety, depression, and OCD. I experienced horrible intrusive thoughts, insomnia, and fear. I was prescribed Lexapro. After 2 weeks, I noticed significant relief. However, I began to gain weight, experience sexual side effects, and hair loss. Yet, the intrusive thoughts faded along with the anxiety and depression, making it a worthwhile trade-off. Due to weight gain, I switched to Zoloft. Gradually, I tapered off the Zoloft, but my symptoms returned. I tried using vitamins and amino acids (result of Y-tube and online research...beware) to no avail. I began taking Zoloft again, but experienced terrible side effects, increased anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, and panic. I kept reading, 'it gets worse before it gets better.' But after weeks of pure torture, I switched back to Lexapro. After one week, my anxiety level decreased. I have now been on Lexapro for 4 weeks and noticed increased improvement each week."

• Kaden
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2021

"I have dealt with OCD, anxiety, and depression pretty much my whole life. For the past two months, I had been at the lowest point ever in my life. I had no more enjoyment in life, and I was so close to falling off the edge. Now, about two weeks on Lexapro (10 mg), I feel amazing… the happiness I feel now is something that I have never experienced, it almost feels like a high. Along with that, my obsessions and intrusive thoughts still come (not as often), but I don’t obsess and ponder on them. Lexapro saved my life, and I hope it can do the same for you. Remember, it gets worse before it gets better. Stay well!"

• Jeje
• May 24, 2017

"I have taken Lexapro for 3 years. Crippling episodes of OCD-generated anxiety and depression have been put to rest with Lexapro. I am taking 40 mg/day, which is higher than the typical 20 mg/day for depression. The OCD itself is essentially gone, and what's left of it (mixed rituals and obsessions) can be very easily controlled and does not scare me at all. I have had no episode of major OCD/anxiety/depression for 3 years, which has never happened to me before (I am 49). Lexapro, together with behavioral therapy, has saved my life. I am working a great job and enjoy my family life."

• Class...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2016

"I can't believe a drug like this exists. I've been suffering mentally and emotionally with OCD for so many years because I thought I was out of options. I've tried Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and trazodone. Most had side effects so bad, I couldn't keep taking them. But years later, I decided to try again. The first 9 days were awful with insomnia, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, cold sweats, and a general 'loopy' feeling. I wanted to stop taking it so bad, but the reviews on this site made me want to keep trying because I really felt brand new mentally. When I woke up on the 10th day, I felt amazing! The impulsive thoughts are mild and manageable with the techniques from my therapist, and I feel better than I have in years."

• billa
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2023

"For OCD, it's my eleventh day experiencing wonderful effects. Using 20 mg. Before, I used 10mg but felt a partial response. Until day 10, anxiety increased but on day 11, I'm feeling so calm. It's an excellent drug."

• seatt...
• May 15, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Had horrible anxiety upon waking up for the first two months. But it took Lexapro (15 mg) 3 months before I got the full effect and am much better now! Dr also prescribed Seroquel to speed things up. Give this medicine time, it takes longer than the average 4-6 weeks as stated. I felt a difference within a few days."

• Pano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 22, 2020

"Almost a year on Lexapro, and it worked to improve my OCD like 70% or more. But the side effects from Lexapro were weight gain and loss of sexual drive. My dose that I am taking is 20 mg. My psychiatrist said that at a year, he will lower the dosage. I hope the symptoms don't come back again! Overall, it is a great drug, the only downside is the side effects that I mentioned. By the way, medication must come hand in hand with therapy!"

• Alex
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2023

"Let me just begin by saying thank you to those who post their reviews on this forum...it gave me hope. This medication has been an absolute godsend but please note the first 2-3 weeks were probably the worst weeks of my life. All my symptoms including my intrusive thoughts, depression, and anxiety became worse but I pushed through it, thankfully, with the help of my family. It took about 8-10 weeks to feel the full benefits, I know they say 4-6 weeks but I feel like it takes much longer. For OCD and anxious depression, this medication completely obliterated my symptoms. Thank God for science, right? With this medication I am finally able to live my life the way I want to. Give this medication time and I mean TIME because it feels like forever before it started working. In the end, all is well and I know you will be too!"

• absol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 2, 2018

"I was having constant, fearful, unwanted thoughts. I had become afraid of thoughts and was always trying to stop thoughts. I took Lexapro for over a year. I think it helped take the edge off, but it's important to do it in combination with therapy. If you are feeling hopeless, do not give up! There is absolute hope for recovery. I have been writing hints and tips about my journey toward recovery: fearofunwantedthoughts. Remember, there is hope."

• SooNo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2016

"I have OCD, GAD, PTSD, and depression, agoraphobia, panic attacks. It is helping. Early side effects were hard, nausea, insomnia, and some higher anxiety. Take it in the AM if you get insomnia! This helped me. I'm glad I pushed through the early side effects. It took over 7 weeks to start to feel better, so don't give up unless SEs are too bad. Some posts say it's a miracle cure. It's not, you still have to do the work: therapy, diet, self-help, etc., but it can help with the fear and racing thoughts. It's helping me, but if I'd believed all the big claims here, I'd be disappointed. Keep your expectations realistic, give it time, and do everything else you can to be healthy. It's an aid, not a cure, but it can help."

• C1990
• July 12, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I am on my 9th day of taking 5 mg of Lexapro, and I feel much calmer than I normally would be. I had horrible headaches and dizziness at first. It's starting to get better, and I'm starting to feel normal and relaxed. It's working great so far for me."

• hope
• March 28, 2019

"I started escitalopram low and steadily increased to 15 mg daily in the morning. The first 1-2 weeks were a phase of adjustment. My personal side effects were mostly sleepiness and feeling a bit out of it. At best, always plan in free time when starting on a new medication. I've been taking it for a year now, and it keeps my panic and anxiety from OCD in check. I still have an urge to check certain things. Sometimes I still find myself in OCD thoughts, but they are manageable, and I'm able to get out of the loop myself rather quickly. The medication took a couple of months to work, maybe 2 to 4. My only noticeable side effect now is that after I take it in the morning, I sometimes feel a little bit nauseous and a bit funky, in the sense of 'ah, I just took escitalopram,... right.' That goes away quickly though and is ignorable. Medications sometimes only lift you up and put you on your feet again, but don't cure you of your illnesses. I'm able to work again thanks to medications and therapy. Good luck!"

• bdano
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 24, 2018

"I have been on Lexapro for about 10 years. Hardly any side effects, sweating and possible weight gain, however, that could also be due to improved appetite. I'm very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone."

• PikaG...
• January 28, 2021

"If you look at all of my army men and similar soft plastic toys from four years old on (I am 69 years) you will find that just about every one has chew marks. For as far back as I can remember I had always chewed my fingernails. My nails were about half the height of normal nails. I had cracked and bloody/infected edges along my exposed nail bed. My fingertips were constantly sore. I was always chewing and yanking at bits of nail and tough skin. About seven years ago I started on escitalopram 20mgs and then we went to 30mgs. I'd say that within two weeks I stopped chewing my nails! I mean, now I have to trim my nails! It is amazing how useful finger nails are. I no longer have stubbing fingers or painful infections. I can actually scratch my wife's back instead of just padding it like a declawed cat. I can actually say that my quality of life has improved. Yes. Yes. Obsessive behaviors, anxious ideation and all of the other benefits have been realized."

• GD1975
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

"I've had OCD (Pure O - Harm) for 6 years. I tried everything: sertraline, even the big one for OCD, Anafranil, and they didn't really do much for me. My doctor put me on Lexapro two weeks ago. After 10 days, it started working, the thoughts haven't gone, but they're less bothersome and less frequent. I feel almost normal. I'm on 10 mg at the moment and hoping to go up to 20 mg today. I hope things stay this way."

• Choue...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2016

"I've been on it for 7 years. Worked like a magic bullet at first. Reduced severity and intrusiveness of thoughts and obsessions. Helped with panic attacks, anxiety, and helped me get back on track. However, I have constant fatigue. I'm fat now. I have no energy. Can't get anything done. I love that my OCD is better, but I can't go on like this."

• Justme
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 30, 2016

"Have been on this medication (between 10-20 mg) for around 3 years now. I have literally tried all SSRIs, as well as Wellbutrin, TCA, and a few others. Escitalopram is the only one so far that can keep me stable enough to function. I still have emotions (not zombie-like), and I can cry and feel sad when I need to. Sometimes I have a hard time sleeping, but I take melatonin, and it helps a lot. When I am not on this medication, I am on the floor curled into a ball, a crying, terrified mess. It helps me function well enough to keep a job and raise my children. Sometimes my thoughts start to run, but then I just try and rationalize them (can't do this without med), and I can usually get my mind back under control fairly quickly."

• mikeG
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

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

• back_...
• August 21, 2018

"Lexapro saved my life. I started having OCD symptoms as a child, however, I never recognized them. Things got really bad just before I turned 30. I became so trapped in anxiety related to my OCD that I considered suicide might be my only way out of living in so much dread, fear, and panic all of the time. I went to a psychiatrist who immediately put me on Lexapro. I didn't see much improvement in the first two weeks, but slowly my symptoms started to have less of an edge. I did have some slight nausea and slept a lot during those first two weeks. I have now been on 20-30 mg Lexapro for the past year and a half. When I went up to 30 mg, my symptoms decreased even more, however, I felt slightly deflated all the time. I went back down to 20 mg with my psychiatrist's blessing and feel great. My symptoms are not entirely gone but are very manageable. I am back to living my life! My libido is pretty much gone, but I just started on Wellbutrin to alleviate that."

• Ashle...
• March 10, 2016

"I have been taking Lexapro since May of 2014 for OCD and mild depression. It has helped me leaps and bounds! I was able to get my moods leveled again and regain control over my life. Started out taking 20 mg but have been down to 10 mg for about a year. Currently tapering off. The one downside, the only reason I can't give it a rating of 10, is because I've gained 25 lbs while taking it. I am/have always been very active and eat primarily healthy, yet continued to gain weight. No matter how active or strictly I stuck to a meal plan, the weight would not budge. But it was still worth it to get me out of the dark place I was in."