Klonopin for OCD Treatment: How Klonopin is Used in the Treatment of OCD

Klonopin is FDA approved for the treatment of seizures as well as for panic disorders. Klonopin is often found being used in combination with other pharmaceutical and therapeutic treatments for OCD and co-morbid condition of OCD. Klonopin, as an addition to the traditional treatment regimen for OCD has proven effective for many OCD patients who were not having successful results when just using SSRIs and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Why is Klonopin a Good Addition to OCD Treatments

Millions of Americans suffer from OCD and different sub-types of OCD. Depending on the type of OCD the patient has, Klonopin can be a beneficial addiction to their treatment regimen; especially for those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that involves anxiety as well as panic. For these types of OCD patients, the use of a benzodiazepine could reduce the co-morbid condition of anxiety and anxiety that could lead to anxiety attacks or panic attacks.

Klonopin is Not a Contraindication for Some OCD Treatments

Research has shown that Klonopin is not contraindicated for patients taking such SSRIs as Prozac. Prozac is one of the leading SSRIs prescribed to OCD patients and the use of Klonopin whether used daily or as needed, has shown not adverse reaction when taken together. In fact, the addition of Klonopin has shown to increase the quality of life for some OCD patients who were not finding relief from OCD symptoms or co-morbid conditions when using the standard SSRI plus Cognitive Behavior Treatment.

How Klonopin Helps Some OCD Patients

Some OCD patients that suffer from anxiety or panic report an increased quality of life once Klonopin was added to their treatment plan. Klonopin, a benzodiazepine, works to suppress brain activity when the activity is in excess. It is believe that excessive brain activity is what leads to anxiety as well as anxiety attacks or panic attacks. The active components of Klonopin work to increase GABA (an acronym for gamma-amino butyric acid). By increasing GABA in the brain it is able to suppress some of the excessive activity going on in the brain and allow the OCD patient with anxiety to calm down and live life more normally.

Klonopin is similar to Xanax in its anti-anxiety properties. Klonopin does not work as fast as Xanax to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, but it does last longer and the effects are more pleasant for some patients with OCD that has anxiety as part of its subtype. Klonopin for the treatment of OCD cannot be used on its own to treat OCD but makes for a good addition to the traditional OCD treatment for some patients.

Sources:

Does Klonopin treat OCD and depression as well as anxiety?

http://www.drugs.com/answers/does-klonopin-treat-ocd-and-depression-as-well-as-322507.html

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of clonazepam in obsessive-compulsive disorder
World J Biol Psychiatry 2003 Jan;4(1):30-4
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/clonazepam.htm