Future!

Hi! I have a recurring thought that I need help reasoning about. I'm 21 years old and have been struggling with OCD since I was very young, and it's been worse than ever since I turned 16. Anyway, I'm young now and I don't plan on having children until I'm maybe around 30. Unfortunately, I have a strong fear for the future, what if I can't have children because they might also be affected by OCD? I've experienced most themes, and I wouldn't wish this terrible illness on my worst enemy, so how can I possibly risk my future child having it?

Username: gomgom

Date posted: 42w ago

I'm 21 and I have OCD too. I have genetic OCD which is passed down by mom and hers was passed down by her dad but the sad thing is they both don't realize they have OCD neither do they take any steps towards it(they have this whole stigma and beliefs towards mental illness) but I have OCD, know what I should do in terms of helping someone else so there's that one advantage I have but overall I feel the same way you do now and then.

Username: Ag123002Ag123002

Date posted: 42w ago

@gom It's interesting that you say that. I've also figured out that my mom has it, and my grandma too, without them knowing. They also have a stigmatized view of mental health. It can relate to a lot of what I feel. Since it runs in the family, I'm afraid it might be passed on. Thanks for your response, I can relate and I know how I could comfort someone.

Username: bootscoot&boogiebootscoot&bo...

Date posted: 42w ago

@Aggggge girl this is craaaaazy!!! my mom & grandma have it too. my mom knows she does but I think my grandma has a stigmatized view of it. also, i’m 21 & mine’s been worse since about 16 too haha!

Username: Ag123002Ag123002

Date posted: 42w ago

@bootscoot&boogie Hahaha, that's so crazy, what a coincidence!😭😅

Username: DorbzeldgeDorbzeldge

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 42w ago

It runs in my family too, although the older generations haven't been diagnosed. My wife and I are trying to have a child right now. I love my crazy family so much, even with all their mental struggles I just want to make more of them.

Username: Ag123002Ag123002

Date posted: 42w ago

@Dorbzeldge I love hearing your positive perspective on this. I hope you have a happy family.

Username: GingerwithocdGingerwithocd

Date posted: 42w ago

I’m 22 with OCD and can been struggling with it since I was 16 as well. I’ve had this same exact thought when thinking about my future and if I’ll want kids. I’m terrified of them having the same experiences that I do. However like other commenters I also have genetic OCD but I knew about my mother’s mental health problems from a very early age which helped understand what was going through my head as I got older. Sadly we can’t control if our future kids with inherited it or not. But we do control being able to teach them their awareness to it and how we can be there and let them know they aren’t alone.

Username: Ag123002Ag123002

Date posted: 42w ago

@Gingerwithocd I think the same way too. I believe that with more knowledge about the subject, the future may offer new and more effective treatments that can help us with OCD.

Username: Team Uncerta...

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 4y ago

Does anyone with POCD have children? I want to have children in the future, but the idea of it really scares me because of my fears. Something I have been learning in therapy is not to make fear-based decisions. So it’s definitely something I want to do, but I just wanna know some of your experiences with this.

Username: GoneHiking

Date posted: 3y ago

Struggling with a moral dilemma - I really want to have kids eventually, but I also have OCD. Even though my experience of the condition has been mild, I still wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, and I would feel really bad if a child inherited it from me. I think this might be reassurance-seeking, but I can't tell. If it is, I'm sorry.

Username: Crescent moo...

Date posted: 1y ago

I don’t know if I’ll be able to have children

I struggle with pocd amongst many other ocd themes and even the thought of having children triggers it so badly. I try and avoid being around kids because they trigger it obviously but it makes me so sad because I was always so good with kids until I started struggling with this theme. I want children because I think it adds something very special to your life but I know having kids would drive my ocd insane. It’s like I can image how great I would be as a mum and then there is this ocd barrier between me and that. Maybe a lot of therapy could help but I’ve had ocd my whole life I think it’s just apart of my brain I don’t know if it can be fixed

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