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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Georgie on October 16, 2001, at 13:19:41
I'm a female, mid thirties, battling both depression (intermittently) and a tendency for hoarding that runs in my family. I'm aware that hoarding is generally considered to be a form of OCD, but my own experience-- and recent research I've run across-- is that SSRIs, usually used successfully for OCD, don't work well for hoarding. I'm looking for something that does.
I've also been told I may be borderline ADD (without hyperactivity)... I have problems focusing or prioritizing (often hyperfocusing on things that are not important) that probably contribute to the hoarding. So far I've tried Zoloft alone, and a combination of Celexa and Wellbutrin. The Zoloft helped the depression but exacerbated other problems because it interfered so much with concentration and memory. The Celexa/Wellbutrin combination helped depression without exacerbating hoarding and focus, but did nothing to help those problems either.
I'd be very grateful for any input or suggestions for future research.
Posted by Elizabeth on October 16, 2001, at 18:38:55
In reply to Medication that helps with hoarding?, posted by Georgie on October 16, 2001, at 13:19:41
> I'm a female, mid thirties, battling both depression (intermittently) and a tendency for hoarding that runs in my family. I'm aware that hoarding is generally considered to be a form of OCD, but my own experience-- and recent research I've run across-- is that SSRIs, usually used successfully for OCD, don't work well for hoarding. I'm looking for something that does.
Huh. Have you tried MAOIs or clomipramine? Those are good alternatives. You might also look into anxiolytic medication, such as benzodiazepines.
> I've also been told I may be borderline ADD (without hyperactivity)... I have problems focusing or prioritizing (often hyperfocusing on things that are not important) that probably contribute to the hoarding.
That's interesting. I have subclinical ADD too, and I understand about the hyperfocusing! I can see how that could result in hoarding. Stimulants (Wellbutrin doesn't count) are the obvious thing to try, then, even though they tend to make OCD *worse* (it looks like you're not dealing with OCD, I'd say). There's also clonidine; I don't know too much about that one or what it does for ADD, though.
> The Celexa/Wellbutrin combination helped depression without exacerbating hoarding and focus, but did nothing to help those problems either.
Okay, my idea would be Celexa + a stimulant (methylphenidate, amphetamine, pemoline, maybe modafinil (Provigil)). The stimulant should help relieve some of the side effects (if any) of the SSRI as well as the hoarding.
I hope this helps! Good luck.
-elizabeth
Posted by Rakken on October 18, 2001, at 16:15:01
In reply to Re: Medication that helps with hoarding?, posted by Elizabeth on October 16, 2001, at 18:38:55
I don't feel that a stimulant would be a wise choice in your situation. It could cause increased anxiety and then possible depression. It would also get you too worked up. Not something you need when you have problems with hoarding. Benzos would calm you down, but you could get addicted very easily and I think they should only be used when necessary (intense anxiety). Not good to mess around with addictive meds when not needed (CNS stimulants, depressants). Clonidine could work. Its used for ADD sometimes by itself. It does have a calming effect and could help. Neurontin has been used to help with obsessive things. Hoarding seems a lot like its an obsessive thing. It could be somewhat related to OCD. Maybe trying Prozac or Paxil, although Paxil does have a back track record for many people (withdrawal symptoms - pretty scary). And don't forget that drugs aren't always the answer. And they definitely aren't the long term fix. Think realistically and remember it's your brain your tampering with.
Posted by susan C on October 20, 2001, at 19:29:09
In reply to Medication that helps with hoarding?, posted by Georgie on October 16, 2001, at 13:19:41
Hello, Georgie
OHHHHHHHH, Hoarding, not Boarding....sorry about that...I live with a hoarder and think, maybe, I am too, but I don't think to the extent you have described. You asked for medication, depakote has helped 'calm' my brain...things aren't as 'necessary' as before. I also am not particularly enthusiastic about therapy, however somewhere on the internet I came across and recommendation for flylady.com. I call it the 'nag service' and help for avoiding being sidetracked. Everyday i get email about how to 'declutter' small bits, small step by step'. It may or may not of of use to you. I know depression comes and goes, manic comes and goes and those and hoarding can be a genetic predisposition. Lets see, I have mentioned a med, but maybe we should meet at Psycho Social Babble if you want to continue this discussion.
A mouse without an apron
susan C> I'm a female, mid thirties, battling both depression (intermittently) and a tendency for hoarding that runs in my family. I'm aware that hoarding is generally considered to be a form of OCD, but my own experience-- and recent research I've run across-- is that SSRIs, usually used successfully for OCD, don't work well for hoarding. I'm looking for something that does.
>
> I've also been told I may be borderline ADD (without hyperactivity)... I have problems focusing or prioritizing (often hyperfocusing on things that are not important) that probably contribute to the hoarding. So far I've tried Zoloft alone, and a combination of Celexa and Wellbutrin. The Zoloft helped the depression but exacerbated other problems because it interfered so much with concentration and memory. The Celexa/Wellbutrin combination helped depression without exacerbating hoarding and focus, but did nothing to help those problems either.
>
> I'd be very grateful for any input or suggestions for future research.
This is the end of the thread.
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