Lets talk about Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

            With everyone talking about Postpartum Depression and Anxiety often times we forget about a very common illness known as Postpartum OCD. This is a very misunderstood mood disorder, which causes it to go undiagnosed. It is so common studies show that 3-5% of both moms and dads will experience the symptoms of OCD.  Parents do not need to have a previous diagnosis of OCD to be diagnosed with Postpartum OCD.

So what is it? What are the symptoms?

  Symptoms include:

• Obsessions (often referred to as INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS) These thoughts are persistent, repetitive thoughts or images that are often times related to harming baby or the baby getting harmed. These thoughts are usually very upsetting in nature and not something the mom has ever experienced before.

• Compulsions are certain things moms do over and over again to reduce her fear and obsessions. Compulsions may include things like needing to clean constantly, check on certain things many times during the day, and count or reorder things. If mom has an intrusive thoughts such as dropping her baby down stairs then she may avoid stairs at all cost to avoid potentially hurting her baby. If a mom has intrusive thoughts of getting her baby dirty/or having germs on her baby she may shower several times during the day to try and avoid getting her baby sick. These are just a few examples of what a thought and compulsion may be.

• Moms typically experience a sense of horror around the obsessions/intrusive thoughts that she is having

• Moms may develop a fear of being left alone with her baby

• Hypervigilance in protecting her baby

• Moms with Postpartum OCD KNOW that their thoughts are bizarre and unlikely to ever act upon them.

• For more information visit http://www.postpartum.net/learn-more/pregnancy-or-postpartum-obsessive-symptoms/

If you are experiencing intrusive thoughts during pregnancy or after you had your baby you are not alone. I suffered with those thoughts daily, so I know what you are going through. I felt like I was being controlled by my brain that was constantly letting me down day after day. I didn’t want to think these awful thoughts, I didn’t want to imagine myself hurting my daughter or myself, but my brain didn’t care what I wanted. Those awful and ugly thoughts were relentless. Every day I would beat myself up with those “what if” thoughts, inside I was dying and felt like a complete monster. I didn’t share my thoughts with anyone because I didn’t want them to believe I was crazy or have Molly taken away. I never heard of Postpartum OCD, and neither did my family or care providers, which made me feel very alone, and hopeless.

GOOD NEWS! You are NOT alone, and you will get better.

Many wonder: Does having this awful intrusive thoughts mean you will act on them?

 Many moms believe that because she is having these awful scary thoughts then she is going to act on them, which causes intense fear and anxiety. I WISH someone told me that I wasn’t alone and that moms with intrusive thoughts are HIGHLY unlikely to act on them.

So what should a mom who if she experiencing these symptoms do?

The first and most important thing a mother can do is recognize that something isn’t right, and know that she is deserving of help. Every pregnant and postpartum mom deserves to enjoy her pregnancy and her baby. Moms can reach out to family, friends, or even health care providers. The treatment of postpartum OCD is similar to the treatment of regular OCD- which is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also known as CBT. If possible moms will benefit from seeing a therapist or care provider who is trained in treating maternal mental health disorders. These specialists can be very hard to come by, so I would suggest contacting a postpartum support international coordinator in your state to connect you with the best therapist in your community. In addition to one on one CBT therapy studies show that group support is just as beneficial to moms as is one on one therapy. Support groups are a safe, non judgmental environment for moms to go and share her struggles and get support from other women who may have experienced similar situation. PSI coordinators can also let you know if there are any local support groups in your area. Sometimes, if therapy alone isn’t working medication may be added. If there is one thing I cannot stress enough is that starting medication is not a life sentence. It may be something you need temporarily and then as times go on you may be able to wean off. I was VERY hesitant and scared to start medication. I was afraid of getting “hooked” on them, and I didn’t want a pill to make me happy. I put off starting medication for quite some time- even when I was hospitalized. But I ended up starting medication in conjunction with therapy and within a few weeks I was starting to feel so much better. I also wish someone would have told me that sometimes you will start out on one medication and it may not work, but that doesn’t mean all of the medications will not work. It’s a trial and error situation that takes time and will not work overnight. This goes for finding the right therapist. When I initially started therapy I did not enjoy going. I felt like it was a waste of my time and that I was not getting anything out of it. I ended up switching therapist three times when I finally found someone who I connected to very well, and still see her periodically three years later. What I am trying to say is DO NOT GIVE UP, YOU ARE WORTH THE FIGHT.

I recommend a workbook for moms who are struggling with postpartum  anxiety, OCD, and panic attacks. This is a great resource that many moms find beneficial and you can work on it in your own home. https://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Postpartum-Anxiety-Workbook-Compulsions/dp/1572245891/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524169284&sr=8-1&keywords=pregnancy+workbook

If you are pregnant or just had a baby and need someone to talk to please contact a PSI coordinator in your state. Visit http://www.postpartum.net/get-help/locations/united-states/

Maine Residents see the three coordinators below for further assistance:

Jessica Thomas (207) 558-2229 TEXT OR CALL jessica@ballastandbuoy.com

Amanda Brown (857) 203-0482 TEXT OR CALL amandabrownpsi@gmail.com

Martha Barry Midcoast Maine and Southern Maine Martha offers support in English and Spanish. (207) 774-6065 mindbodypsych@earthlink.net

Trigger Warning- Click the youtube link below to hear/watch a moms struggle with Postpartum OCD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I8-OH_hFe4

Trigger Warning- Click the link below to hear one moms story with her struggle with Postpatum OCD. http://www.postpartumprogress.com/postpartum-anxiety-intrusive-thoughts-story