What Is Postpartum OCD?
Postpartum OCD is a type of postpartum anxiety disorder that can be severe and often requires treatment to manage and control symptoms.
If you have had intrusive thoughts or behaviors in response to a perceived danger toward your baby, you may have postpartum OCD. These thoughts and behaviors are constant and repetitive, and you may have noticed they can disrupt your daily life.
Most women with postpartum OCD are aware of their intrusive thoughts but cannot control them. Instead, the thoughts cause counteractive behaviors and other uncomfortable symptoms as well.
With treatment that includes therapy and medication, many women can successfully manage their postpartum OCD symptoms and return to their sense of normal.
Postpartum OCD Symptoms
Postpartum OCD symptoms include a combination of obsessions and compulsions. These manifest as thoughts and behaviors.
Some common obsessions mothers with postpartum OCD experience:
- Unwanted images of hurting the baby, such as dropping or throwing him/her
- Concerns about accidentally causing the baby harm through carelessness
- Intrusive and unwanted thoughts of suffocating or stabbing the baby
- Unwanted and disturbing thoughts of sexually abusing the baby
- Being scared of making poor decisions that will cause the baby harm or death
- Fear that the baby will develop a serious disease
- Fear of exposing the baby to toxins, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants
- Fear of exposing the baby to germs or contamination
Note that mothers who suffer from postpartum OCD are hyper-vigilant and sensitive to anything that may be related to child abuse, whether physical, sexual, or otherwise.
Common compulsions experienced by those with postpartum OCD:
- Getting rid of sharp objects such as knives or scissors
- Not feeding the baby out of fear of poisoning him/her
- Not changing diapers out of fear of sexually abusing the baby
- Not consuming certain foods or medications out of fear of harming the baby
- Not letting anyone else hold or watch the baby out of fear they will be harmed
- Deliberately avoiding watching or reading the news when it involves child abuse
- Continuously monitoring self when it comes to possible inappropriate sexual thoughts
- Obsessively checking the baby while he/she sleeps
- Asking family members for reassurance that the baby has not been harmed or abused
- Going over the day’s events mentally to ensure that nothing bad has happened to the baby
Postpartum OCD symptoms typically start showing up in the first 2 to 3 weeks after giving birth.
However, symptoms may not be noticed by the woman or her family until months later. Without treatment, postpartum OCD symptoms can evolve and worsen and may not go away independently.
Who Does Postpartum OCD Affect?
Postpartum OCD is uncommon, affecting as little as 2% and as high as 24% of women after giving birth, depending on the study. New fathers have also been known to exhibit signs of postpartum OCD.
Though not common, like postpartum blues, postpartum OCD is likely underdiagnosed. This is due to the embarrassment and shame that women with postpartum OCD feel and the fear that they will lose their baby if they speak up.
Additionally, postpartum OCD symptoms are often confused with anxiety or depression, so it is often misdiagnosed as well. There is also limited awareness about postpartum OCD as its own unique condition, which further prevents reporting and diagnoses.
Sadly, many women do not come forward about their OCD symptoms after giving birth and suffer silently instead.
Postpartum OCD Causes
Like with most mental health conditions, there is not an exact cause of postpartum OCD. Its onset has to do with your own unique mental health history and other elements in your life.
One factor that may contribute to postpartum OCD symptoms is a sudden and drastic hormone decrease after giving birth.
These changes, combined with chronic fatigue and overwhelming feelings while caring for a new baby, can lead you to develop severe anxiety that evolves into OCD.
Furthermore, if you had OCD before childbirth, you may find that having a baby worsens your symptoms. A new baby provides more uncertainties and responsibilities that can aggravate intrusive and anxious thoughts.
Postpartum OCD Risk Factors
While there is no single cause for postpartum OCD, there are several factors that can lead to an increased risk of developing it.
Here are some possible risk factors for developing postpartum OCD:
- A history of OCD at other times in life
- Having a family history of OCD or other mental health disorders, including mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders
- Unmet expectations regarding motherhood that cause negative thoughts and self-doubt
- Being a first-time mother
- The baby was born preterm or through a C-section
- Having experienced other pregnancy complications or witnessed infant harm
- Experienced trauma during childhood
Postpartum OCD in men doesn’t share the same biological causes as postpartum OCD in women.
Therefore, a significant contributing factor to developing postpartum OCD is the natural fear and anxiety that comes with the pressure and responsibility of caring for an infant.
Postpartum OCD vs Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum OCD is related to postpartum depression and a subtype of postpartum anxiety while having its own unique characteristics.
Postpartum depression is different from anxiety conditions primarily in that its symptoms are sadness, hopelessness, and crying frequently.
Key differences between postpartum OCD and postpartum anxiety include:
- Postpartum OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts that focus on the baby. Postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive worrying both about the baby and about things in general.
- Postpartum OCD involves engaging in compulsive behaviors as a reaction to anxious thoughts. Postpartum anxiety does not necessarily involve compulsions.
- People with postpartum OCD avoid certain situations because they fear something will happen to the baby. People with postpartum anxiety may avoid certain situations to avoid experiencing physical anxiety symptoms or panic attacks.
On the other hand, both postpartum OCD and postpartum anxiety can be extremely disruptive in a woman’s life, and both can benefit greatly from treatment.
How Long Does Postpartum OCD Last?
How long postpartum or perinatal OCD lasts depends on numerous personal factors, including:
- The severity of the OCD
- Whether the person has a previous history of OCD
- Whether they seek professional treatment
For people who never seek treatment, and even for those who do, OCD can become a lifelong condition. The symptoms may come and go and fluctuate in severity, but it will never be completely gone.
This is why treatment is essential for women with postpartum OCD, especially in terms of early intervention.
It may not be possible to recover from postpartum OCD fully, but many women learn to manage their symptoms in a way that is comfortable and safe for them and their child or children.
Diagnosing Postpartum OCD
To be officially diagnosed with postpartum OCD, you will need to be evaluated by your doctor or a mental health professional.
This means recognizing obsessive-compulsive symptoms within yourself and discussing the symptoms you are experiencing with your physician.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, you may also fill out questionnaires and other screening tools to rule out other disorders.
Once diagnosed, you can discuss how you would like to proceed with treatment.
Postpartum OCD Outlook (Prognosis)
Postpartum OCD, like other forms of OCD, is typically a lifelong condition. Yet, women can be symptom-free for long periods of time and even years.
Treatment and mental health care for postpartum OCD focuses on managing symptoms and making the woman more comfortable and able to function, not necessarily in curing her.
Younger women have a better chance of recovering fully from postpartum OCD. Early intervention can also make a tremendous difference in the OCD outlook.
It is important not to give up on yourself if you do develop postpartum OCD. You can successfully manage your OCD with treatment and dedication.
Postpartum OCD Treatment
Postpartum OCD treatment is available to new mothers and fathers struggling with this condition. Treatment options usually combine medication and therapy to manage symptoms and help the person cope fully.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals understand mental health issues and teach coping skills to improve quality of life.
This can be done with various types of therapy, though cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most successful type for treating OCD.
CBT and other forms of psychotherapy help people work through their intrusive thoughts in a safe and non-judgmental environment. It also teaches them how to replace their negative thoughts with positive ones.
The specific type of CBT that is used with postpartum OCD is called exposure and response prevention (ERP).
This type of therapy exposes people to their triggers gradually over time and allows them to become more adjusted and comfortable with them.
Medications
Physicians and psychiatrists will likely also suggest a course of medications such as antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Antipsychotic medications may stop obsessive and compulsive thoughts from taking over the mind.
Anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines are also effective at immediately relieving the nervous energy and fears associated with postpartum OCD symptoms.
Not all medications for mental illness are safe to take while breastfeeding, so always check with your doctor before taking anything.
Manage Postpartum OCD with Professional Help
Experiencing postpartum OCD can be scary and confusing, but you can feel like yourself again with the proper treatment and care.
If you are looking for a therapist during the postpartum period, browse our directory of highly qualified therapists.
With the right therapist to listen and guide you through the healing process, feeling better and improving your well-being can be one call away.
Postpartum OCD FAQs
What is an example of postpartum OCD?
One example of postpartum OCD involves excessive checking on the baby to make sure that they are safe.
This can be disruptive and dangerous for the mother if she is sacrificing her own sleep or needs to keep watch over her baby.
Is it normal to have intrusive thoughts postpartum?
Yes, intrusive thoughts are typical and very common after giving birth, with studies suggesting they affect up to 80% of new mothers.
If your intrusive or obsessive thoughts are becoming disruptive in your everyday life or preventing you from properly caring for yourself or your baby, it may be a good idea to speak with a mental health professional.
Why did my OCD get worse after having a baby?
There are a few different reasons why your OCD may have become worse after having a baby, including because of hormonal changes as well as additional stress and sleep deprivation.
Psychological factors can also contribute if you are a new parent and have fears of your baby being harmed or if you have a previous experience with your children being harmed.
