Does anyone struggling with pocd feel major anxiety when they have to look after their neice or nephew? I'm really trying to work on not ruminating but get triggered anytime I'm asked to look after someone's kid. I don't say no because I know avoidance doesn't help.

I lived with my nephews a couple years ago when my POCD was the worst. I had to change their diapers and give them baths and it was pretty excruciating for me. You are not alone! It's helpful for me to remember that OCD attacks the thing you care about most, so that means you actually *really* care about these kids' wellbeing and thus are even less likely to harm them than anyone else. Remember "it's not me, it's my OCD"... Best wishes <3

Thankyou so much! I keep saying it over in my head, this is my ocd , its just a thought etc. So helpful knowing we aren't alone in this stupid struggle

Im a mom with pocd so i totally get it. I have intrusive thoughts a lot, and its distressing at best. It is harder when i have to watch other peoples kids though. I dont know why. I think its just a stem from shame. Like if I fuck up my own kids im the one mad at me, but if i mess up with someone else's I have no idea what that outcome would be.. I dont know. Its like that with my OCD and just with regular stuff. Like the expectation/responsibility being put on you ads an extra layer of stress and therefore easily turns into guilt/shame.

So true...and the guilt!!! I hate the guilt