What is Perinatal OCD?
Am I going to drop my baby?
Is my baby breathing?
Is my baby sick?
Anxiety is a normal part of the pregnancy and postpartum experience. Worrying about your baby’s safety can help you anticipate your baby’s needs and build awareness of potential threats so you can best care for your baby.
But – what if your anxiety is on overdrive?
What if you notice your mind getting stuck on certain thoughts and urges?
What if your worry drives you to obsessively check on your baby or search for answers on your phone – without achieving relief?
These are potential signs of perinatal OCD.
What is Perinatal OCD?
Perinatal OCD is a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that develops during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth. It is sometimes referred to as Postpartum OCD when it develops in the postpartum period.
Perinatal OCD is characterized by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions that make it hard to take care of yourself and your baby.
What are obsessions?
Obsessions are unwanted ideas, images, or impulses that occur against your wishes and despite efforts to resist them. Common obsessions in perinatal OCD include intrusive thoughts of dropping your baby or your baby not breathing.
What are compulsions?
Compulsions are urges people have to do something in order to lessen feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Compulsions can include behaviors that are helpful in some contexts but unhelpful in others. Common compulsions in perinatal OCD include excessively checking your baby on the monitor or researching your baby’s medical symptoms.
What is the treatment for Perinatal OCD?
There are a number of treatment options for perinatal OCD. The most effective treatments are therapy, medications, or a combination of both.
The most effective psychotherapy for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Even when engaged in psychotherapy, many people with perinatal OCD may also benefit from medications, which can reduce the severity of symptoms and make it easier to engage in therapy. Medication options for OCD include common psychiatric medications such as antidepressants (SSRIs).
The best way to determine the right treatment approach for you is to consult a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
If you think you or a loved one might have Perinatal OCD, you’re not alone. Contact Dr. Limbaugh at Morningside Psychiatry to schedule an initial evaluation.
Resources
Perinatal OCD. International OCD Foundation.
Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, Amy Wenzel, Hilary Waller, and Abby Adler Mandel
