OCD and paranoia

Hello everyone,

I need some help.
I've been diagnosed with OCD 4 years ago, but I've been struggling with it as long as I can remember. I am currently on Risperidone and Xanax and they are showing results.
For a year or so, the OCD symptoms have faded and I can finally live my life somewhat normally. No more washing, less rituals, etc, we all know the symptoms.

But about 2 years ago I started to have an episode when I can feel that everyone is watching me and they can read my every thought.

I've been starting to have these episodes more often and sometimes they last for hours. When I have these episodes I'm on the verge on shouting out loud "Stop looking at me" and I constantly check behind me for someone watching and, every time, no one is there. The feeling that someone is watching me is so real that I am unable to do anything else and I am afraid even to think, less alone talk. I even lose my temper and I find it very difficult to control myself.

The only way I can get out of the episode is by taking some Xanax.
I've been finding it very difficult to express myself with words in the past year, to concentrate and to empathize with people.

Is this a sign of schizophrenia? I just got one foot out of the OCD madness and now I've stumbled upon something else, because the paranoid feelings I experience are comparable to the "contamination, rituals and fear" feelings of OCD.

Please, anyone, any advice would be great.

Hi - I'm sorry you are going through this. I have a few questions for you...

Risperidone and Xanax and is not a common treatment for OCD alone. Were you diagnosed with something else?

Did you try other medications before you went to Risperidone and Xanax?

Did you explain these paranoid feelings to the doctor who prescribed the meds?

Otter.

Hello Otter,

Thank you for taking the time talking to me.

First of all, when I was first diagnosed I took Olanzapine and Depakine. They didn't do much, so I stopped taking them after a year and a half. After that, I had a two month pause without any treatment and got so contaminated that something clicked in me and I stayed in bed for a whole week, eating once every two days and meditating on my situation.
My parents took me back to my doctor, which prescribed injected Risperidone once every fortnight. After 9 months of shots, I got way better and started to live my life again. Now I am taking pills of Risperidone every night, 4mg, and Xanax only when I feel the need and my paranoia kicks in.

My doctor only told me that I have OCD, despite me telling her all the other symptoms like anxiety and paranoia.
She gave me schizophrenia medication for OCD.

My doctor is not very talkative, she listens and writes prescrptions, and I have no one else to talk to, my friends and family all say that I am simply paranoid.

Wow, that's quite a timeline.

I used to be on Risperidone (Risperdal), but I didn't like it and stopped after six months. I am on a different antipsychotic now, called Quetiapine (Seroquel).

But I also have Bipolar Disorder and Schizoaffective Disorder, in addition to severe OCD.

I am not saying you have either of those disorders (besides OCD). What I am saying, is your doctor needs to give you better a explanation of what is happening and why, and why she is giving you these meds. A patient has a right to know, if they want to. Being comfortable and confident in your doctor is key, so if you don't feel these things, think about a new doctor.

I am sorry your friends and family don't have anything helpful to say. I hope you stick around, and find some support here.

Otter.

If I was you I'd ask your Dr to clarify your current diagnosis and if they say OCD ask why they put you on antipsychotics.

There was a period were I was officially diagnosed with OCD but was on antipsychotics because they were really still trying to work out what I have.

I can also relate to feeling that your being watched and your thoughts are being read.