Can a patient with chronic OCD be given mood stabilizers for a quick recovery?

Question

Hi doctor,

My relative has had severe OCD for the last 20 months. He has not left home for six months and spends 18 to 20 hours in bed. She started tablet Fluvoxamine the previous year at 25 mg, increasing by 25 mg every three weeks, and currently at 100 mg from the last seven weeks. There is a slight improvement in OCD symptoms, and she is calm. She has started virtual ERP and CBT sessions. The psychiatrist wants to add a mood stabilizer. Is that a good next step? Could continuing at the same dose reduce symptoms in three to four weeks? Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The patient has been on the same medication for more than seven weeks. It usually takes four weeks for the full effect of the medication. If there is not much improvement, you must increase the dose or add another medication. You can ask your psychiatrist to add a tablet of Clomipramine 25 mg rather than a mood stabilizer.

I hope the information will help.

Thank you.