OCD and GAD often go hand in hand because the nature of OCD is often anxiety causing.

For the record-Xanax sucks, unless being productive and awake isn't your thing.

BTW: if your doctor gives you a drug and it doesn't work, tell him/her! There's always alternatives and ways to make things work. Just quitting a drug because it doesn't work won't help you. Also keep in mind that many psych drugs take a while to work (up to a month).

I haven't taken medication since I was in high school and I feel better than ever. But it doesn't always work for everyone & sometimes medication is necessary!

I had a test taking anxiety disorder. My grades aren't really affected, but I get nervous and would throw up under certain conditions. I took effexor during college, but quit it last year. I took two law school classes this summer (and finals) and did well. I even got my first ticket on the way to one final and did not freak out or cry.

This is so true! I can tell you that Paxil takes at least 4 weeks before you can notice a change!

I started exhibiting my OCD when I was 14/15 (classic starting age) and after I stopped stucking my thumb (classic "lead in") around the same time.

I'm just so scared to take and prescribed drugs for this condition and the changes that it will have on me.

But I'm also tired of wearing the hairstyle that I have (my homemade preventative measure, which has helped greatly), so I am thinking about it seriously and once I start seening a psychologist again, I want to know all the potential side effects of each drug that would possibly used in my particular serverity of my OCD because I am thinking about taking classes again.

how do you wear your hair to prevent it:?

Basically pulled back in a bun and I use hair gel (no traction -- at least for me, I dont "pull" my hair per se I twist individual strands), I've worn this hair style since 1991.

I think what she was asking is how does your hairstyle prevent your OCD.

And if you read my reply carefully you will see that I answered her question.

Pulling my hair back in a bun with hair gel, gives me no traction, so I cant twist my individual strands, therefore, I don't pull out my hair.

Like I said eariler, my OCD is not very servere unless I am under an extreme amount of stress or "not paying attention", I really havent had any huge bald spots for years. Of course after I wash and either naturally dry my hair or blow dry it and leave it like that (relieve the tention of having pulled back 24/7) I will go at it (and under stress), I could make a small bald spot....I then berate myself and gel my hair so that I wont have any traction to continue to pull/twist. So its not like I'm saying that I have stopped displaying my OCD, I've just learned how to control it a bit and found a preventative measure that doesn't involve drugs and possible side effects of said drugs.

I can produce a sizeable bald spot in about 30 minutes if left to my own devices. I have four "classic" bald spot areas, that I repeatly go to.

On the occasion that I have a function that I wear my hair down (ie weddings, etc), I will exhibit my OCD and then I go into that classic pyschological displays. I could write a book on my thinking and reactions and complusions, but that would make this reply entirely too long (longer than it is already).

So this is why I have the hair style that I do and since I really want to change my look, I will have to go to a psychologist and have very in-depth talks about drug therapy.