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.

Maddiamber

Date posted: 3y

My mom struggled with it when she was younger and now I have it. She’s been able to help me and understand me on a different level. Don’t let ocd stop you from living your best life and if you do have kids and they have ocd, you’ll be able to get him/her the proper support and treatment.

SomeCatPerson

Date posted: 3y

I agree with the previous comment. My dad has had OCD his whole life and I'm thankful we have each other. Kids can development any potentially difficult condition, too, it's just something that comes with having them. No one is to blame for it.

alycakes

Date posted: 3y

I felt the same way for a while but now I have a three month old and I don't feel bad about bringing life into the world - the pros outweigh the cons. My daughter may develop OCD at some point, but at least I'll know what to do about it. You may have children who don't have the disorder, but you won't know unless you have them. Honestly no one knows what kind of illnesses their children might have, it's always a gamble. What matters is that you are there for them through whatever struggles they face. Don't let OCD rip away your dreams of having your own family!

Blueskyone

Date posted: 3y

I have a kid and just wondered about this today for the first time. I think ocd is wildly underdiagnosed. If your kid does have ocd, you may be able to recognize it earlier and respond to it better than a lot of parents do. My daughter is a bright ray of sunlight in my life and many others’. Wouldn’t have done it differently even if I had known I had OCD before. Not a reason not to have kids! I also have ocd and to my knowledge, no one else in my family has it. So 🤷🏻‍♀️.

OCDHaver

Date posted: 3y

I have this exact fear; I’ve always imagined having kids in the future, but I’m terrified of passing down my genes with this. Most of my family has some form of mental illness, so I really don’t know, it’s just really sad

GoneHiking

Date posted: 3y

Thanks you guys, I appreciate your thoughts on this <3

Holl1

Date posted: 24w

OCD

So I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and I’m freaking out rn I’ve been getting thoughts like “I’ll be a bad mum” and overthinking everything & my OCD is convincing me that I’ll act on my thoughts because of my hormones and stuff. I’ve also got a fear of being sick & I’m stressing over that too. Anyone else who has harm OCD pregnant or a Mum can give me some advice pls😭

Harm OCD

Aprilshowers...

Date posted: 24w

My OCD

Please if someone can reply! I really just need someone to talk to. I don’t even know how to control my OCD. It honestly feels like it’s controlling me. Everyday my mind focuses on every bodily sensation I have and it’s like a broken record player, I have horrible health anxiety and my OCD just makes it worst just thinking about it everyday. It feels like everyone who I explain it to looks at me like I’m stupid/crazy. I use to be much more tame with my OCD, I use to eat things without worry, now I can’t even touch things I use to eat without worrying that I’ll get an allergic reaction (despite eating them BEFORE,,,but my mind tells me otherwise) and omg worrying about heart attacks, pulmonary issues..and I couldn’t even enjoy my own child’s birth because my mind was on high alert thinking I would hemorrhage any second or develop pre-E (complications of postpartum) I was miserable for the first couple of months of my baby’s life and I didn’t know what to do. And now, I’m pregnant with my second (4wks) and all the OCD thoughts and anxiety is coming back at me and I have no one to talk to, I feel lonely. And even if I considered taking a pill, I’d worry about being allergic to it and refusing to take it. I ruin everything for everyone. I remember I ate out one night and I started to think “you’re gonna pass out! You’re gonna pass out! (Without ever passing out before) and I had to leave! I feel like I ruin the mood for everyone when I don’t even try to, and I hate it.

2000

Date posted: 13w

motherhood & ocd🤍

I just wanted to ask any mothers their experience with having children & the positive experiences they’ve had despite their diagnosis (even the small moments of joy)? I have always yearned to have children & grow a family however recently OCD has made me question this desire (though when I’m back to thinking rationally my heart knows I’m meant for motherhood). though I’m not oblivious to how difficult it must be, I thought it would be nice to see the good amongst the bad, not just for me but for anyone else feeling a similar way 🫶🏼

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