I’m not sure if anyone else goes through this or if it’s normal for PPOCD. But when my ocd flares up , it makes me feel less attached to my baby and gives me a ton of anxiety. I also feel like my ocd jumps to a lot of different themes. Will PPOCD last forever ?
Hi! I feel for you, I’ve been in the same boat for a few years after having kids. I’m very new on my ocd journey so I’m still learning. I used to let that anxiety and those ocd thoughts completely consume me and I would then feel SO bad because I could tell it was affecting how I connected with my girls. Sadly, I never knew it was ocd and I just thought I was a terrible mom 😭 mine jumps from contamination to just right to fear to harm and it was this terrible cycle that I thought I was going to deal with forever, then I started therapy and man when I say it has changed my life I totally mean it! There’s hope, friend!!! Being in therapy, I’ve learned how to navigate some of those thoughts and how to manage them. It’s hard but so worth it, I’m not sure if it’s an option for you but seeing someone could really help! You can even message me if you want to just vent or need someone to talk to. It can be really isolating when others don’t get it and you’re left with those thoughts and feelings 😩 with all that to say, you got this! I know it feels so defeating but it can get better over time if you learn some coping skills and how to navigate it. I’m still far off and have a super hard time with the intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions (those are my hardest) but learning how to manage the other ocd struggles has made a huge difference.
I feel you and I’m a first time parent so my postpartum flared up but luckily my therapist at the time noticed I was showing symptoms of ocd with my postpartum. Every time things happened, my ocd and anxiety flares to where I start detach to my own child as well as my husband and then when that happens, my ROCD flares as well.
it sounds so tough to experience those feelings, especially when they make you feel distant from your baby. 🤍 it must be exhausting dealing with such intense anxiety and fluctuating themes. by the way, have you heard about this new AI-powered OCD therapy tool called 'unstuck?' i've been in your shoes, and what really helped me was this free AI OCD therapy tool called "unstuck" (unstuckmyocd.com/try) that my NOCD therapist suggested. i think it'll be especially helpful for you because it can give you tailored support through those shifts in themes and the PPOCD spikes, acting like a therapist in your pocket. i hate when people promote stuff, but i really think it can help you because it's changed my life. lmk if you have Qs or just want to talk more! 💖
I just want to be normal and enjoy this time in my life. There I times I feel strong and like I have it under control and then in a split second I’m lost in thoughts and anxiety. Trying hard not to seek reassurance, avoidance or complete ERP but it’s hard. I feel alone because I feel like no one understands what it is to be scared of yourself to not trust yourself.
Hi y’all! I’ve had OCD since 7 or 8 years old, but wasn’t fully diagnosed until I was in my twenties after having a major panic attack. This triggered my derealization and had intrusive thoughts that nothing was real, that everything was a projection of my imagination. My OCD was pretty quiet until now, 15 mos after having my precious babygirl (i figured it latches on to the things/people we cherish the most). My OCD is making me think that she isn’t real and it is making it hard for me to enjoy moments with my baby. It’s been a struggle and I’m hoping to find some light. 🥺
I’m asking here because I don’t want to over indulge my research compulsion right now. I am not pregnant but the topic of having children has been huge for me and my partner this year. I’m recently OCD diagnosed and it just occurred to me that I could see myself having extremely difficult Postpartum Depression. I thought I’d simply ask this community to get a general idea and then try and leave it at that for now.
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