Hello, everyone! I am 8 months pregnant and OCD gives me a very hard time. I feel so lonely... I am afraid I might get infected and harm my baby. I am trying very hard to manage all this stress, but some times I feel so disappointed and lonely. I wash my hands all the time... I feel like my loved ones - including my husband - don't seem to understand how tough OCD can be. I feel so bad about my stress and I am afraid that I may have harmed my baby because of that. I'm on therapy (CBT) but I don't take any medication.
Has anyone experienced OCD during pregnancy?
I am sorry for any mistakes, English is not my native language.
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Ariadnee
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Hello. I'm sorry you're having a difficult time right now. I'm a man and can't really say anything about having OCD during pregnancy but I have been dealing with OCD for decades and am hoping maybe I can offer you a little advice.
First, it's great that you're doing CBT therapy. It shows that you're aware that you have an issue and are seeking help. I did CBT about 13 years ago and it really helped me with my OCD and general well being. However, I know that ERP is considered the gold standard in OCD treatment. I haven't taken it through a therapist, but have done ERP by myself and found it extremely useful in reducing my anxiety and compulsions.
Second, medication with therapy is the usual treatment for OCD. The medicine works by making the anxiety less intense and helps you better able to perform ERP. I was anti-medicine for a long time and suffered because of it. I did CBT for about a year without but things really started to improve once I finally started taking it. I'm not a doctor so I don't really know about taking SSRI's and pregnancy. From what I googled, it sounds like there are some that can be taken depending on what trimester you're in. I would speak with a doctor to find out for sure though.
Lastly, I know how alone OCD can make you feel. You're not alone though. There are millions of people who have the exact same issue as you and have gotten better. It is possible to have OCD and live a happy and productive life. There are also literally millions of people out there who what to (and can) help. You just need to ask.
I can't imagine how hard it is to carry a baby and to deal with OCD. It was hard enough for me when we had our first child and I didn't have to deal with the 9 months of carrying it! I truly hope you find the peace you deserve my friend. God bless you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'll try ERP, hopefully it'll work. I feel less lonely when I share my intrusive thoughts and my compulsions with people who suffer from OCD too.
I'm sorry you are dealing with so much stress during your pregnancy. I have come to find out that women that have OCD can have a more difficult time during hormonal changes. Whether it be during their menstrual cycles, pregnancy or in my case menopause. I remember when I started going through menopause my OCD flared up. I saw help by going on hrt ( hormone replacement therapy). Have you noticed if things have been harder for you with OCD while being pregnant? As far as the stress is concern. Do things that focus on you and relaxes you. Take a warm bath with lit candles and lavender scents. Lavender is suppose to relax you. Get a facial. Take time to care for yourself. I don't believe the stress you are under has harmed your baby. I was a military wife during my undiagnosed time with OCD. I was so stressed during those years not only with the stress of OCD but separations. My babies were healthy.
As far as your husband and your loved ones not understanding how tough OCD can be. They never will. My husband though has become more grasping of it by me reading posts to him from this forum. You can do that to help them grasp more of the struggle people go through. There are also videos, and books for him/them to read on the topic.
I lean on God a lot for this burden I carry. I'm a born again Christian. I can truly say that HE understands it and helps me!
I wish you the best dear! Congratulations on your new soon to be addition to your family.
Thank you so much!! OCD is indeed harder during pregnancy. I've always been afraid of how I would deal with all this stress during pregnancy. Some days I fell better. I know that our loved ones will never understand how we feel or how OCD works. I will read posts and explain more about how I feel.
I believe in God but sometimes I lose my faith, I'll pray more.
HI Ariadnee, I had my first flare up with OCD during post partum. I decided to go back to school when my son was a baby and I think the academic pressure and the pressure of being a new Mom and the perfectionism tripped something for me. I began to believe I had a contagious skin disease and treated myself multiple times for something I did not have despite my family Dr stating it was just exzema. Finally I wa able to get a evidence that I did not have a contagious skin disease and went on medication and overcome the obsessions and depression. Now I am perimenopausal and the COVID has flared my OCD again. I have been debilitated in my capacity to work. For me it has taken RTMS, medication and a lot of therapy but I feel like I am almost on the other side.
I think the hormones throw it into gear. I wish you luck. Perhaps the rigt therapist and find RTMS for OCD? You can get through this.
Thank you so much for your reply!! I am always having tests about different diseases I fear, even though my doctors say that I am safe. It's extremely hard to manage it. COVID has flared my OCD too. I think that I will have to take medication again soon. Hopefully it will be safe during lactacion.
Congratulations and good wishes for the new baby! It's common for OCD to occur or get worse during pregnancy. And OCD likes to attack you by targeting what's most important to you - in this case, your pregnancy.
Pregnant mothers and new mothers with OCD often experience a spike in their symptoms. It's such a big thing in your life, and you have a precious new life to take care of, as well as a big alteration in your own life.
I'm sure that no harm has come to your baby. Having OCD can be very isolating - so few people understand what it's like.
I too constantly wash my hands - it can be so uncomfortable to feel they're in need of another wash. But neither this nor your stress is dangerous for the baby.
Being a new mother can also be isolating, as you're tied to the house with a baby and can't leave the house when you like. So it's important that you have a good network of friends, family and acquaintances whom you can meet up with along with your baby or who can come to your house. Make sure your husband does his share of taking care of the baby too, to give you a break!
It's normal to be anxious when you are a new mother, but try not to let OCD spoil your joy and pleasure in motherhood. Many mothers (and fathers too) struggle a little with a new baby and think they're doing things wrong, but babies are pretty resilient and there's no reason why your baby shouldn't grow up normal and healthy.
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