Therapy for Postpartum OCD and Intrusive Thoughts
You may be having thoughts that terrify you.
Thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere.
Thoughts you don’t want.
Thoughts you would never act on.
Thoughts that make you question who you are.
You may find yourself thinking:
“Why would my brain think this?”
“What kind of mother has these thoughts?”
“What if this means something is wrong with me?”
You might be afraid to say them out loud.
You may be scared that if anyone knew what goes through your mind, they would think you’re dangerous. You may worry that these thoughts mean you’re a bad mom. Or worse.
They don’t.
Many new moms experience intrusive thoughts after having a baby. These thoughts are unwanted, disturbing, and completely opposite of who you are.
You might have sudden images of something bad happening to your baby. You might have thoughts about accidentally or intentionally harming them. You might find yourself replaying the same scary idea over and over, trying to make it stop.
And the more you try not to think about it, the louder it gets.
These thoughts feel horrifying because they go against everything you believe and everything you want. They scare you because you love your baby so much.
That’s an important difference.
Postpartum OCD is not about wanting to hurt your baby.
It’s about being terrified that you could.
You may find yourself:
avoiding certain situations
checking on your baby constantly
asking for reassurance over and over
replaying thoughts you wish would go away
feeling ashamed for even having them
You might feel trapped inside your own mind.
Postpartum OCD is more common than most people realize. And it is extremely treatable with the right support.
You are not broken.
You are not dangerous.
And you are not alone.
I can help you find relief from the thoughts that won’t leave you alone.
In therapy, we work together to help you understand what’s happening in your mind, reduce the power these thoughts have over you, and help you feel safe again.
You don’t have to live in fear of your own thoughts.
You don’t have to carry this shame alone.
And you don’t have to suffer in silence.
There is help.
And there is hope.
If you ever feel disconnected from reality, confused about what is real, or feel like harming yourself or your baby feels right or necessary, that is a medical emergency and you deserve immediate help. In those moments, please contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.
If your thoughts feel unwanted, frightening, and completely against who you are, therapy can help.
