Mirtazapine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews

• han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2023

"I was prescribed mirtazapine when I was in a severe anxiety episode. I felt extremely anxious all the time for several weeks and could hardly function, eat, or sleep. I also have been diagnosed with OCD. It's been a miracle drug for me! I started on 7.5 mg, and literally the first night after taking it, I was able to sleep, after not having been able to sleep without Ambien for weeks, and I woke up with an appetite, which I hadn't had in weeks. Its effectiveness increased for the next week until my anxiety was only about a quarter of what it had been before. I ended up increasing it to 22.5 mg daily, and I've been on that dose for about 1.5 years now and will likely be on it for the rest of my life, or until it stops working for me. It's been a lifesaver for me! Everyone is different, but I just wanted to share my positive review as I know this kind of review can skew negative."

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2021

"I had experienced mild depression as a child and teenager, but it had always resolved itself with minimal effort. Six years ago, I was diagnosed (I now believe incorrectly) with major depression and panic disorder. Since then, I've weaned on and off seven different antidepressants. After I moved, a new psychiatrist prescribed me mirtazapine, and WOW. I feel like myself again. My psychiatrist thinks I was misdiagnosed as depressive when, in actuality, the depression and resulting anxiety were actually caused by long-term, untreated OCD. For me, I think the fact that mirtazapine acts on dopamine instead of serotonin was key. I encourage you to try alternate classes or medications: SSRI, SNRI, DA, etc. Five months on, and the difference is night and day. My thoughts are no longer aggressive and terrifying. Therapy is key. Even if your therapist sucks, talking about how you feel is better than not, even if they don't have anything helpful to say. You're not alone, and you are loved."

• Loi...
• December 9, 2015

"I've had bad panic attacks, depression, and OCD, to the point I could not function. I wasn't eating, wasn't sleeping. I was ready to section myself into a mental ward because I didn't feel safe. Then the doctor gave me this medication and it saved my life. I've been on it for a year and it completely stops my panic attacks and depression. I sleep every night for 8 hours, and don't have any weight gain. If you have bad depression, this will pull you out of it, just got to keep with it and the side effects soon fade and it's worth it in the end."

• Fay...
• November 30, 2017

"I've been on mirtazapine just over a year now for postpartum depression and OCD. I was unable to eat or sleep. Anxiety so severe that I was constantly throwing up. Panic attacks and intrusive thoughts. I was a complete mess and couldn't function. The only side effect from this medication was increased appetite, especially for sweets. This medication has been a lifesaver!! Helped with insomnia immediately along with appetite. Took a couple of months to help with my depression and about 5 or 6 months to help with my OCD/anxiety. Strongly recommend this medication!"

• JDd...
• April 1, 2014

"Absolutely saved my life... I have suffered with OCD and panic attacks my whole life... about 3 years ago, it got worse and led all the way to agoraphobia... I went on a few meds... after being on Prozac for a few months and it definitely helping, I asked my regular MD to try Remeron... I can't tell you how amazing my life is now... I am doing things I didn't think were possible... absolutely amazing for appetite. I've been 140 my whole life, dropped down to 120 from anxiety. After 3 months of this drug, I'm at 168... please try this... it's unlike any other med I've tried... if you're like how I was, you're probably looking at all this stuff in fear... don't take a risk... get your life back."

• Anx...
• September 28, 2014

"Was on citalopram for my anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder for 10 years. It stopped working unfortunately, and my doctor switched me to Mirtazapine as I also wasn't eating well. So pleased as now I'm eating, my anxiety & OCD is under control. I recommend this medicine."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2016

"On 15mg of this for the last 3 months for depression, OCD, and sad anxiety disorder. It didn't sedate me at all, helped with sleep straight away, took away anxiety after 3 weeks, helps with OCD thoughts/harm. All in all, it's a brilliant medication which worked for me immediately, keeps you calm and stable, and just makes you happier. If you can get through the first 2 weeks of side effects, you're laughing. It's a great medication, been on 2 before which sent me crazy. Please do give it a try, but do not miss doses as withdrawal symptoms appear quickly on this drug and are horrific to say the least."

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2023

"I was suggested Remeron for insomnia. I already take Lexapro 10 mg, but I was still a mess. My psych suggested adding Remeron 7.5 mg to 15 mg at night in combination with Lexapro 10 mg in the morning. It worked wonders for me, I still occasionally get insomnia, but in general, I sleep like a baby. It has helped me immensely with depression, anxiety, and OCD. I felt relief within 3 days. My mind is much clearer, my emotions aren’t numb. It helped a lot with OCD and intrusive thoughts, my mind isn’t spinning endlessly on the same topic over and over again. For me, anxiety triggered OCD, and that triggered depression, it’s a never-ending loop. Mirtazapine has helped a lot with everything! I plan to try and shift to 30 mg mirtazapine and go off of Lexapro. Anyone having second thoughts, give it a try! Every medication works differently for everyone, but from my experience, mirtazapine gave me a great boost, maybe it can do the same for you. Good luck! P.S. I had 0 side effects."

• Caz...
• September 24, 2014

"I was on Citalopram for 10 years for my anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I've always struggled to eat on that medication, though, so I went to my doctor, who decided to switch me to Mirtazapine. I cross-tapered medication over a 4-week period to reduce Citalopram withdrawal. I started on 15 mg of Mirtazapine for a week, then my dose was upped to 30 mg. I'm so pleased with the results. I feel calmer than I have for years, and I'm also eating again, which is a big thing for me, as when my anxiety is bad, I lose my appetite. It's also controlling my obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms well. I love this medication. I take it an hour before I go to bed, and I sleep for 8 hours and feel refreshed the next day. It also has fewer side effects than SSRIs."

• jbu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2019

"I've been taking mirtazapine 30 mg for about four years. It has been effective for me in managing OCD symptoms-has enabled me to put things in perspective much better. Positive help with sleeping. Weight gain has been a challenge, but I've managed fairly well using exercise and limiting refined carbs."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2015

"I previously had sleeping problems and had to take Benadryl every night to help me to bed because of my anxiety and ADHD. After I started this medication, the first night I tried it, I already could tell it was going to be better. I woke up the next day, and I felt the best I had ever felt. My doctor prescribed me a 30 mg dose but told me to break the tablet in half for the first two nights so my body could adjust to it. I am also prescribed 30 mg Adderall XR, which I take in the morning. These medications together are a miracle. I never felt better and more clear-headed than ever before in my life. I recommend this to anyone who has ADHD, anxiety, or sleeping problems."

• Bai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2024

"I had a severe OCD episode where I couldn’t get out of bed or function. I didn’t sleep or eat for weeks and was convinced I would never feel better. I was put on Sertraline which was absolutely awful. It kept me awake and suppressed my appetite, which was a nightmare as it was on top of me being severely depressed. My doctor finally put me on this and within days, I felt a million times better. I could eat, sleep, and function. It has well and truly worked wonders for my OCD and anxiety. Please give this a go if you suffer from OCD and sleep problems. Side effects - dizziness, couldn’t think straight for a couple of days, and a little bit sleepy during the day. Remember that medication works differently for everyone, and don’t be put off by side effects as they are 100% worth it."

• deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2021

"Before this pill, I did well for several years on sertraline, but they lost effectiveness. After that, I tried Prozac (didn't work), citalopram (didn't work), now to mirtazapine. The first pill, I knew it would help. It just changed my mood for the better immediately. I am on the max 45 mg, and the OCD thoughts I suddenly noticed were more faint (at 45 mg). It's got no sexual side effects, and combined with zopiclone 3.75 mg, I get 6 - 7 hours of sleep a night even with terrible fibromyalgia pain. I am very grateful for the sleep. It is, however, ZERO help with fibro pain, which some say Cymbalta and Savella may be helpful for (??). This is such a good antidepressant, even 2 years on, that if my pain is gone (ever), I sing with joy. So I am loathe to change it to one of the others for pain in case they don't work like this for depression. Thank you, Mirtazapine makers, your pill helped me every day for 2 years."

• kha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2020

"I was facing severe OCD and anxiety in the morning. After I took mirtazapine at night, the next day, anxiety was much lower in the morning. OCD also got better. But after a few days, when my body got used to it, its effect began to vanish. I increased the dose from 15 mg to 30 mg and then to 45 mg, but the same problem I experienced, i.e., it began to lose its efficacy as the time went by. Moreover, this medication caused the most scary and weird dreams. I also experienced severe restless leg syndrome and uncontrollable shaking of my limbs during sleep. As soon as I tapered it down, these side effects reduced. It may work initially controlling your anxiety, but not recommendable for longer use."

• Buz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2015

"After 5 months of sleepless nights, I was prescribed mirtazapine yesterday. Must have slept through hot flashes last night and woke up only once. Was reluctant to resort to medications, but the sleep was so great that I'm doing it again tonight. Felt very dopey today, so let's see what tomorrow brings after having tried every SSRI on the planet."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2023

"It got worse before it got better. However, I believe Jehovah God inspired these medical doctors to arrive at this type of medication. I'm at 100% recovered. I'm sleeping well and feeling great. I'll be on this medication forever because it develops bad chemistry in the brain if left untreated."

• Mel...
• April 2, 2021

"I started mirtazapine about a month ago to treat OCD (followed by anxiety). I take Adderall as well, but I don't think I will need it once I have my compulsions under control; hence why I am trying to find a medicine. My psychiatrist mentioned mirtazapine is a good drug to try alongside Adderall because it also helps you sleep, and I have severe nighttime anxiety habits. I took the medicine right before bed because after about half an hour it knocked me out. I started at half a pill - 3.75 - and the nighttime grinding and sweating almost immediately disappeared. My daytime anxiety did not get better, and my OCD symptoms might have become worse after a week or so. It is hard to say because I also had a lot of stress at work. I had a REALLY hard time waking up in the morning and couldn't work out, which might also have led to more unbalance. I would give this a try if you need a low-key anxiety medicine. I didn't experience any symptoms other than what's mentioned above."

• Col...
• June 11, 2016

"I tried this after citalopram quit on me after about 5 years. What an awful drug for me. It did little for my anxiety and OCD. Some OCD symptoms actually worsened, and weaning off it caused extreme anxiety to the point of panic attacks. I'm finally off it after the final rude downshift and am trying Zoloft with good results so far. Good riddance to bad rubbish."

• Zen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2022

"Took this for only a month and quit. I believe this is the best drug for sleep: 15 mg, or 7.5, or 3.75 mg all knocked me out. For me, it does nothing for depression and OCD. Anxiety is controlled pretty well. Food and sweet cravings are bad, though I ate carbs while on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2021

"I took mirtazapine to deal with depression and anxiety as well as OCD. Well, I used it regularly for a while, but it made my anxiety and depression so bad that the only thing I was using it for was to pass out to avoid compulsive thoughts and behaviors. So not only did it not work, but it started me on a trail of substance abuse (it even made me more suicidal when I was awake). I showed up to exams, taking it in the morning (I know it's more of an evening drug) and passing out during a psychology exam. I failed university that year because the drug was so horrible. The only thing I can really see it working for is sleeping issues. It's definitely pretty good for passing out at night, I found, until I began the substance abuse issue. After giving up on medication because of mirtazapine, I'll be starting Zoloft soon. If your intrusive thoughts are so pestering like mine were (literally couldn't keep a job, eat, or even sleep or function), then I wouldn't recommend."

• Gal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2023

"Mirtazapine has been a lifesaver for OCD. Drowsiness subsided after about four days. Worth trying for anyone who is struggling ♥️"

• And...
• May 16, 2023

"Any dose above 15 mg played havoc with my OCD and anxiety disorder. 15 mg just helps me sleep better."

• str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2020

"I was put on mirtazapine for OCD, it did nothing except alleviate some anxiety, but OCD remained. It didn't make anything worse, it just didn't work."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2016

"It's effective as a sleep aid and an increase in appetite, but my anxiety got extremely worse."

• ROY...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2016

"Lots of side effects. Fever, flu-like symptoms, lethargy in the morning. Sleep was in and out, woke a lot then slept....but only about 4 hrs total. Don't know if I'll try again."