I have ocd should i have a baby

OCD broadly refers to unwanted thoughts, images, or urges. In order to reduce the stress caused by these intrusive thoughts, they will create mental or physical rituals to block those thoughts. These rituals may include repeating a word or phrase over and over or repeating a physical action such as touching a surface a certain number of times. Those who experience perinatal OCD may have had OCD prior to becoming pregnant, with pregnancy exacerbated their symptoms.

Some people who had never previously experienced any form of OCD can get it, too, and pregnancy is thought to possibly trigger the disorder. Postpartum depression is another mental health condition that can occur postpartum.

The major difference between perinatal OCD and postpartum depression is the nature of the symptoms. Like perinatal OCD can disrupt the pregnancy process, postpartum depression can make the months after giving birth more distressing and stressful. Here are some of the most common symptoms of perinatal OCD:. These obsessions frequently present as unwanted thoughts about something terrible happening to the child. The thoughts or images can appear suddenly and without warning and are extremely upsetting to the person experiencing them.

Obsessions also sometimes present as concerns about a safety-oriented task, like having left the door unlocked; intense, gripping fears about germs and contamination ; a pressing, driving need to get everything perfect, or a need for symmetry or order. These thoughts and feelings are very upsetting, but are not indicative that the person experiencing them will not actually cause their child any harm.

While all parents worry about their children and think about, for example, harm coming to them, new parents who are incapable of turning off these thoughts may be experiencing serious anxiety, a common symptom of perinatal OCD. Interestingly, while boys are more commonly affected by childhood-onset OCD, this trend reverses following puberty. As well, boys with childhood-onset OCD appear to have a greater risk for related conditions including tic disorders. Children with OCD often have less insight into their obsessions than adults and may not yet have the capacity to understand the irrational nature of their thoughts.

The signs and symptoms of OCD in children can be categorized by obsessions and compulsions. Common obsessions among children with OCD include:. Compulsions are often but not always related to obsessions. For example, if the child fears germs, they may be compelled to wash their hands repeatedly. Common compulsions among children with OCD include:. While the exact cause of OCD in children is unknown, researchers believe several factors play a role:.

Research has shown that only those children who are genetically predisposed to OCD or tics are vulnerable to developing this form of OCD. In most cases, the current recommended treatment for childhood-onset OCD is a combination of individual or group cognitive behavioral therapy CBT and medications that increase levels of the brain chemical serotonin such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs.

One of the most popular and effective forms of behavioral therapy for OCD is child-modified exposure and response prevention therapy ERP. When undertaking CBT with children, it is essential the parents be educated and involved.

Research suggests that parental involvement is a strong predictor of cognitive behavioral treatment success. For treatment to work, compulsions need to stop and family members must be aware of this. Parents can also be an invaluable resource in helping the therapist to develop ways of presenting material that will resonate with and make sense to the child.

If severe enough, treatment may include a combination of CBT and medications. SSRIs are often used to help reduce a child's anxiety, however, these drugs must be used cautiously in children and adolescents as they may increase the risk of suicide in this age group. If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. While there is no doubt that parenting children with OCD can be a challenge, there are ways to cope. Getting informed about OCD, particularly as it is experienced by children, is the essential first step that every parent of a child with OCD should take to become an effective advocate for their child and family. Here are a few more tips to consider:. Finally, it is important to never give up hope.

Sometimes it is simply a matter of finding the right therapist or the right combination of medication and psychotherapy. With the right treatment, many children are able to find relief from their symptoms and learn coping strategies to thrive in daily life. If you think your child may have OCD, don't wait to talk to your physician. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Krebs G, Heyman I.

Wading through information can be time consuming and overwhelming. Choose one or two trusted, reliable sources of information and just stick to those. Constructive worry - Set aside a designated worry time. Try and make it the same time each day, in the same location for about 20 minutes. This stops you from chasing the thought endlessly throughout the day. If it is something you can change, then create an action plan and then move on. With practise this technique can greatly reduce anxiety.

Always remember that OCD is common and nothing to feel ashamed of. A lot of people struggle with this debilitating condition, but with support and treatment it can be managed.

It is important to get help for OCD as soon as you can. Send to a friend Written by Laura. Laura is a freelance journalist and copywriter, and mother to a three year old boy. Due to a rare genetic condition Laura experienced pregnancy loss and needed IVF with genetic screening to conceive. She has first-hand experience of the impact infertility can have on mental health and relationships. This site uses cookies to analyse traffic and for ads measurement purposes. Learn more about how we use cookies.

Alternatively, you can opt out by clicking here. Back to blog. Trying to conceive can create the perfect environment for OCD to grow.

Could you be at risk? You may not realise you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Thanks to pop-culture OCD is often depicted as a funny personality quirk or the butt of a joke - liking things to be neat and clean and needing tings to be perfect.

Why trying to conceive has so many triggers OCD can have many causes but major life events, like trying to have children, are common times it can develop. Treatment It is unlikely that OCD will go away without professional help. Coping with the stress of trying to conceive Struggling to conceive is a stressful situation regardless of whether you develop OCD.

Send to a friend. Written by Laura Laura is a freelance journalist and copywriter, and mother to a three year old boy.

Similar stories Could fertility counselling help? How healing my trauma helped me become pregnant. Two women, one hope: starting a family as a same-sex couple - part 1. Ectopic pregnancy and my fertility.