OCD
I’ve always suffered with anxiety however since I’ve had mg baby 5 months ago I think I may have developed OCD? Does anyone have any tips to help me out of this cycle as even I know the things I do are ridiculous. Please don’t advise me to seek professional help as I’m not depressed etc but am starting to get exhausted by the things I have to do daily.
My brain tells me to do certain things or something might happen to the baby or me or a loved one etc.
This includes:
- when washing the bottles I have to wash each part twice (Jesus how ridiculous and so time consuming) & wash them in a certain way
- when washing my hands I have to use X amount of pumps of soap and rub my hands together a certain amount of times.
- can only start to feed baby when the clock on my phone is an even number
- have to brush my teeth a certain amount of time
- have to stay in the shower a certain amount of time
- when making up the bottles I have to make them up in a certain order
- when washing dummies I have to squeeze the teats a certain amount of times to get the water out
- i have to text my mum the same goodnight message every single night
This is just some of the things. Is this ocd?? Thanks x
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This sounds like ocd and it can be so hard to manage on your own. This sounds time consuming for you. I'm not sure if you know that ocd is very common in the Perinatal period and you can access faster nhs support for it through your local talking therapies service. Some places you can self refer our your gp/health visitor can refer you. First line treatment is cbt and is often very effective. You could also look at the maternal ocd website and there is a good book by Cath Green and fiona challacombe. I think it's called maternal anxiety. In the meantime I hope you have some understanding and support around you as ocd can really interfere with life xx
Send me a DM and happy to share my personal experience with you x
Yes, you are describing things which would be considered OCD rituals / compulsions. Rituals are a coping method for our brains to reduce anxiety, however the relief from our rituals is often short lived. The solution is to find better coping methods. I know you've asked not to be told to seek professional help, but therapy would likely be helpful.