OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, is something that affects about three million people in the age group of 18 - 54. This means that 2.3% of the population in this age group has this condition and it can affect both men and women equally. OCD is a condition in which the person repeats unwanted thoughts or actions. These habits are irregular and though the person that suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder knows what they are doing, they cannot control themselves.

When it comes to treatments for OCD, there are actually several medications that are used. There are two main types of medications that are commonly used for treatments with this condition. These are TCAs which are tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It has been proven that both types of drug treatments are very effective, however the SSRIs are the ones that are most commonly used today. The reason for this is due to the fact that these SSRIs have less side effects than other normal antidepressants used for anxiety. There are also less symptoms with withdrawal situations; overall this is just a much safer type of drug.

There are other types of medications that are used in the treatment of OCD. The use of these medications is sometimes used to augment the TCAs and SSRIs. These drugs are known as MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. If you are prescribed to take these MAOIs, you should never take them with any SSRI. The negative aspect of taking MAOI medication is that there has not been a lot of research done on them. This leaves room for speculation on how effective this type of medication is for OCD treatment. The medical reports for these medications are often conflicting while some show that these MAOIs are nothing more than a placebo effect. There are other negative side effects that some people have reported. These side effects more often occur when combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The following are some of the more common side effects of taking this medication: drowsiness, constipation, diarrhea, decreased sexual activity, vertigo, upset stomach, low blood pressure, vision problems, dry mouth, a decrease in urination, an increase is the production of sweat, shaking or tremors and increase in weight gain or increased appetite.

While taking this type of medication, there are more serious side effects that have occurred. During the first two months of initial treatments of obsessive compulsive disorder, people in the age group of 18-24 have suffered from worsening depression as well as suicidal tendencies. There have been reports of these side effects in patients 65 and older as well. If this is happening to you, then it is recommended that you consult your doctor immediately.

There are also certain restrictions that must be administered to while on this type of treatment. Certain foods as well as prescriptions and over the counter drugs are prohibited from being used while taking this type of medication.

When taking medications of any kind for obsessive compulsive disorder, you should always monitor the side effects. Make notes on a daily basis and then consult your doctor with your findings. He or she may find that a different drug is needed or a different type of treatment all together. This condition may be very serious among some people and should not be taken lightly. If you suspect that you or someone that you know may be suffering from this condition then seek help immediately.