Navigating Postpartum OCD

The arrival of a child is an occasion of joy and much celebrating. However, many challenges can come with pregnancy, birth, and the weeks and months that follow, including postpartum OCD.

Postpartum OCD Explained

Postpartum OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental health condition that affects 3-5 percent of new mothers immediately after childbirth, with some symptoms emerging 4-6 weeks after delivery. It’s a type of anxiety disorder that’s marked by intrusive and recurring thoughts, called obsessions, along with repetitive behaviors, called compulsions, that are often deployed as ways to deal with obsessions.

These obsessions and compulsions will often interfere with daily life. Some of the obsessions that a new mom may have include fear of dirt or contamination or being preoccupied with the baby’s safety and health. Likewise, they may be overwhelmed with fear of being a bad mother, as well as fear of causing harm to the baby or herself.

The compulsive responses to these may cause the new mom to want symmetry and order around her and the baby. She may repeatedly look for reassurance from others about her mothering or the child’s well-being. There may be ritualistic behaviors like repeating phrases and counting and constantly checking the baby to see if they are breathing. She may repeatedly check the baby’s temperature or do excessive cleaning and sanitizing.

Other signs of postpartum OCD to look out for include having difficulty sleeping or concentrating, digestive problems, or headaches. Likewise, the mom may experience feelings of dread and worry. They could also feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or trapped. Mom may begin avoidance behaviors, avoiding situations or tasks such as leaving the house with the baby, bathing the baby, or putting the baby to sleep for fear of harming them.

How Postpartum OCD Affects Mom and Baby

It’s common for a new parent to have anxieties about their role and the enormity of the task of parenting a human being. Thoughts and worries do pop up, but these are usually allayed with relative ease. When it comes to postpartum OCD, these thoughts and anxieties can become overwhelming. The disturbing thoughts and excessive behaviors that accompany it go beyond the typical anxiety felt by parents toward their children.

As you can imagine, being overly burdened by anxiety over your child can have an impact on your well-being, as well as that of your child. Postpartum OCD can affect mom and baby’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. For mom, it’s not easy to feel or have intrusive thoughts about harming your child. Such thoughts and feelings may be completely at odds with one’s hopes and ideas about the sort of parent they want to be.

Postpartum OCD will often leave mom feeling sleep deprived, not to mention the feelings of shame, guilt, or inadequacy that may come. She may have difficulty bonding with her child and avoid social interactions because of certain anxieties or fears. This condition might result in strained relationships with her loved ones, and it increases the risk of depression and anxiety.

The baby can also be affected. For instance, they may sense mom’s tension and become anxious, too. Issues of excessive worrying or restricting the baby’s exploration, movements, and activities can result in delayed development. As a result of repetitive behaviors like excessive washing, the baby may also develop sensory sensitivities and become overwhelmed by these behaviors. The baby may also struggle with attachment issues as a result.

Some Causes of Postpartum OCD

There is no single isolated cause of postpartum OCD; rather, there are several contributing factors. A family history of OCD or anxiety, going through a traumatic childbirth experience, experiencing abuse or trauma, or being socially isolated and lacking support at critical points during pregnancy and after childbirth can all be possible contributors to postpartum OCD.

There are other elements involved, including hormonal changes and shifts in the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. A mom’s perfectionism and high expectations placed upon her to be a certain kind of mom may also play a part. Postpartum OCD isn’t the result of one of these things, but it often results from a combination of them.

Anyone can be affected by postpartum OCD, but some of the risks of it can be mitigated through taking certain preemptive steps. By managing stress and prioritizing self-care, building a good support network, understanding how to support your mental health after childbirth, and seeking professional help, the risks of postpartum OCD can be reduced.

Finding Help: Christian Counseling in Richardson, Texas

It can be difficult for a mom to begin talking about the distressing thoughts and emotions she’s experiencing toward herself and her child. Being a new mom can be challenging, especially if postpartum OCD is part of the picture. Despite the thought, she isn’t a bad mother; she’s a mom undergoing a health challenge. The good news is that postpartum OCD is treatable.

It’s important to implement self-care strategies like exercising, eating well, and getting quality sleep. However, to overcome postpartum OCD, finding professional mental health care is crucial. Several treatment options are available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. Medications may also be prescribed.

If you or a loved one are displaying signs of postpartum OCD in Richardson, Texas, reach out to us at Texas Christian Counseling, Richardson for help and support. We have skilled, faith-based therapists in Richardson, Texas who are ready to help you navigate your postpartum experience.