Harm OCD and scary news stories

Hi there, I’ve been dealing with OCD (harm) most of my life but was just diagnosed at 30 years old.. I am now a mom of an amazing 2 year old so when my OCD flares up it’s a bit more disturbing to me than it was in my past.. news stories have always triggered me. And most recently there was the story of the nurse mom who strangled her 3 kids and tried to kill herself. I’m obsessing over it, comparing myself to her trying to convince myself I would never do that, looking into the story on the internet, the whole 5 yards… I just can’t stop thinking of this woman and I’m so disturbed and scared, it’s making my OCD so much worse. I just started treatment last week and I can’t wait to learn the tools I need to help. But I wanted your guys opinion as well. And was curious if there’s any other moms on here that struggle and how they cope ♥️

Macyj26

Date posted: 2y

Please reach out to me… this is me right now with the same exact story!!!! Oh my goodness. How crazy it scares me so much like so bad … what helps you??!!!! That story just scared me completely I also have a 7 & 2 year old. 🥺💔

Nina.V

Date posted: 2y

@Macyj26 I’m so sorry this is bothering you as well. It’s so scary as a mom 😔 I’m really just taking it minute by minute and trying not to engage too much with the intrusive thoughts. At the end of the day though I’m not her and neither are you, we control our actions and no one else! Easier said than to believe for us OCD brains though 😑

Macyj26

Date posted: 2y

@Nina.V That’s true! Like I would absolutely never, but ocd just makes you constantly worry about it all day long & it sucks so much, I try so hard to get past all that and think positive ♥️ we got this. We are not our thoughts!! We got this. The what if’s are just so scary. Thanks to ocd! What are you taking medicine wise?

Nina.V

Date posted: 2y

@Macyj26 Wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, but here we are! 🫠 I’ve been on lexapro 10 mg for 5 years now. Ive definitely noticed a difference, but I’m clearly still struggling. I’m excited to see what therapy does for me. I also have gotten some books and listen to podcasts to help! The OCD stories podcast is amazing and makes you feel so much less alone. I also just ordered harm ocd by Jon hershfield and the workbook to go along with it. I’m goin all in lol I am so ready to get the tools I need to get through this the best way possible now that I was diagnosed!

Day at a time

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

Hi, I’m not a mom but I entirely understand this fear. My suggestion is to look up acceptance and commitment therapy techniques, I find those really helpful especially when you feel like you’re in the middle of an OCD flare. And, I know this is easier said than done but to the best of your ability try and stop the compulsions (internet, mental comparison, all that stuff). Good luck and you can do it!

Nina.V

Date posted: 2y

@Day at a time I just bought “the happiness trap” on acceptance and commitment therapy yesterday via my therapist! Must be a sign I really need to work on it, thank you! ♥️

Ocd&me09

Date posted: 2y

This is me too with the exact same story it is horrible I feel so guilty and ashamed I feel like I don’t even want to be around my babies because what if I do this or what if I want to do that it has completely made me spiral and I feel awful!!!!!!! I have a 1 and 2 year old and I literally compare myself to her over and over and over and even get the images in my head I hate it!😭😭😭

Nina.V

Date posted: 2y

@Ocd&me09 I’m sorry you’re struggling with this too, it really is the freaking worst thing as a mother 😔 we love our babies so much this is OCDs way of getting to us I suppose ☹️

AnonymityK

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 25w

When OCD Took Over My Life

Have you ever had a thought so unsettling it stopped you in your tracks? That’s how postpartum OCD started for me, triggered by my grandfather’s passing. After he died, a terrifying question popped into my head—What if I’m not a good person? From that moment, I became afraid of my own thoughts. When I had my daughter, a new fear took over: What if I could hurt her? I avoided being alone with her and constantly sought reassurance, but nothing eased the panic—until I found NOCD and realized I had OCD. Therapy was terrifying, but learning to face my fears instead of running from them changed everything. One day, when I was alone with my daughter, the thoughts came, and I simply responded, Maybe I could. Maybe I couldn’t, and moved on. That’s when I knew I was getting better. OCD no longer controls my life—and if you’re struggling, know that recovery is possible. I’ll be live on the app around 6:00 PM CT answering any questions, so ask away!"

Anony1314

Date posted: 24w

A VERY distressed mom. Someone anyone help!

Please comment. Just say if follows along the OCD pattern or not. I don't need reassurance per se! My daughter was laying across me and every time I breathed a certain way I was getting a groinal sensation. I kept breathing like that anyways (ugh idk why), and then my mind told me I had hurt/a**aulted her that I might as well do something else to hurt because what's more. So idk why or what overcame me other than the thought of doing it because my mind told me I had hurt her already ("my mind literally made me question what to do and I guess the only thing I could come up with was using my elbow) and causing another feeling but it came across my mind to elbow her, and I elbowed her crotch or side/thigh area. Which caused another very unwanted groinal sensation. Then I began FREAKING smooth out. And I've been stressing since. I feel like as a mom I don't deserve to be hers anymore. Idk what overcame me but my therapist says it's all OCD. I was doing SO well! Is this really OCD? This has all caused me a great amount of anxiety. I feel like a terrible person and mom. I just need help knowing if this is OCD. Not wanting reassurance. Just wanting to know if this lines up with the POCD I've been diagnosed with by my current therapist.

POCD

mfernandes1

Date posted: 20w

Postpartum ocd/harm ocd

Hi there! I am 4 months postpartum and struggling with harm ocd, the fear of what if I harm my child. It has manifested to the fear of what if I harm my husband, sister, nieces, parents, etc. Anyone else have this experience and how did you get through it?

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Harm OCD and scary news stories

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