OCD · OCD
Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts
Perinatal OCD is common, treatable, and NOT desire
Postpartum intrusive thoughts about harm to baby are common (~50% of new parents) and are NOT desire. Perinatal OCD hijacks the protective brain circuit — the horror IS the disorder.
What perinatal OCD looks like
- Egodystonic — thoughts feel opposite of who you are
- Horror, not desire
- Leads to AVOIDANCE (won't hold baby, won't bathe baby)
- Not psychosis (which involves lost reality testing)
What my intrusive thoughts sound like
Avoidances I've built
Who I've told / plan to tell
Tell your clinician
Perinatal OCD responds beautifully to ERP. Not telling — out of shame or fear of CPS — is what keeps parents suffering. Trained perinatal clinicians know the difference between OCD and psychosis.