Hi I am just wanting to hear from others about having this subtype and then also wanting to have kids? I have this sub type along with other forms of OCD so my OCD will sometimes switch to a different form which we know is common for OCD. But sometimes I’m terrified of having this sub type and having kids. Has anyone been successful with having kids and having this sub type? Me and my fiancé want to have kids in the next couple of years. Did yours get worse? Better? How did you deal with it? Did you have POCD before you had your kids and then still had them? Thanks in advance!

Thank you so much for your response. I didn’t even think about this starting AFTER a person has kids which is helpful. My biggest fear is that my kids won’t know I love them because I’ll push them away because my way at times of dealing with it is to avoid situations. I’m imagining that it will be day to day like you said and that some days will be better than others. I just don’t want my OCD to keep me from having kids because I want to be a parent and I want to parent with my fiancé. It’s good to hear that you’re learning to cope and have found some things that help you. I’m hoping that if I continue my therapy and the things that make me feel healthy then I’ll be ok.

Something about what how you worded this is perfect. I have 2 children and it is a daily struggle, but worth it

Absolutely. Some days I struggle with it, other days I don’t. Some days my mind understands what A groinal response is and takes it for what it is really is (the body reacting and the focus on it) and other days it causes such anxiety.

@Bing How do groinal responses show up for you? Is it just a feeling or tingling? Usually when that happens to me I can handle it, but I fully panic when I have gotten semi-hard (sorry if that’s TMI)

@figuringitallout Tingling or the feel of a rush that is hard to differentiate between that and a desire (only because of OCD). My therapist told me, of course if your kid runs into you or jumps on your lap you are going to have a sensation there, everyone does the difference is how you interpret that sensation.

@Bing Ooh I like that! Thanks for sharing. Sometimes the shame is feeling like nobody else goes through it, or people with no OCD don’t.

Hey! Thanks for your response. So you didn’t let fear stop you huh? Any tips for how to not let the fear of the OCD control your decision? What made you think that it would be ok?

@kamac33 I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I didn’t plan my pregnancy but it just happened, that’s when my OCD had gotten really bad and am doing ERP now. But I’m working through it everyday.

I think the more I realize and accept that OCD is just part of me and always will be the more peace I feel because I’m not as terrified of it and I don’t run from it.

My biggest struggle is that I some days do not understand it. It is such a taboo subject that it is hard to find a lot of details. I just want to know if it is normal OCD and how it works so I can understand it. I always get feedback that I am seeking reassurance. I don’t think I am because how that knowledge has helped me progress along the path of recovery. The part that I have not understood and hope to is how to work through urges.

@Bing I totally understand that. Don’t get me wrong, reassurance is obviously a major setback to OCD, but just personally speaking, I have the wait out of suffering through finding out others went through a similar experience as me. OCD latches on and for me underneath it all is the fear I am alone/a freak in my experience. So don’t feel bad for asking questions. You can always talk to me :)