2000

Date posted: 6w

motherhood & ocd🤍

I just wanted to ask any mothers their experience with having children & the positive experiences they’ve had despite their diagnosis (even the small moments of joy)? I have always yearned to have children & grow a family however recently OCD has made me question this desire (though when I’m back to thinking rationally my heart knows I’m meant for motherhood). though I’m not oblivious to how difficult it must be, I thought it would be nice to see the good amongst the bad, not just for me but for anyone else feeling a similar way 🫶🏼

Tea and Honey

Date posted: 6w

When you start to doubt, just go back to the things you know: you ARE meant for motherhood. That is the truth. I do a lot of affirmations during the day to remind me of the truth, even if I don't FEEL like they are true at the moment. They are helping to train my brain

ocdabc123

Date posted: 6w

@Tea and Honey ^ This is so well said. You know in your heart. It’s normal to have fears or doubts but ocd has you believe that if you have fears or doubts it must mean you can’t or don’t want it. Not true.

2000

Date posted: 6w

@Tea and Honey this is such a nice way to put it, thank you❤️ I’m not the best at keeping on top of affirmations but I’ll definitely continue to try

2000

Date posted: 6w

@ocdabc123 so interesting how you’ve said - ocd has you believe your fears must = that you don’t want it. honestly never thought of it in that way with this particular subject. I need to realise fear isn’t synonymous with not wanting something - it may even mean that I care / want it more because of how worried I actually am!😄

ocdabc123

Date posted: 6w

@2000 Yes! And ocd can twist that too if at some point those fears aren’t there. “Does that mean I no longer care?” OCD is tricky. But you know what you want and you go forward anyway!

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 6w

I am a father with OCD and I have three wonderful children one who has OCD. I have no regrets and would do it again in a second. Follow your heart.

2000

Date posted: 6w

@Anonymous that’s so lovely to hear!

Moon1130

Date posted: 6w

I have three children. It can be difficult to have to be "on" all the time despite how I'm feeling. Butnon the flip side, I think I would be FAR more mentally unwell if I didn't have to get and get my shit together. They bring so much joy and purpose to my life. Never let your condition stop you.

2000

Date posted: 6w

@Moon1130 thank you so much🤍 I get so overwhelmed with all the deeply negative posts I see on social media so that just undoubtedly sticks in my mind, but when I look to my real life all of my aunts, cousins, friends & of course my mum - say it was the most rewarding, beautiful thing that happened to them so I shouldn’t be so caught up online!

2000

Date posted: 6w

@Moon1130 can I also ask (if you don’t mind), how did you find post partum? I think this is the one thing I’m particularly fearful of because of the lack of sleep, hormones etc

Moon1130

Date posted: 6w

@2000 Omg I know. Social media is AWFUL. Motherhood is beautiful and wonderful. It is hard, but anything that is worthwhile is difficult in its own way. Being a mother is the most important job in the entire world. Unfortunately our society tells us it isn't and that the Almighty career is it. But do you see how backwards that is? " No. Don't have another human being and create life and nurture it and raise up the next generation. Go work hard and advance yourself in your career! That'll make a difference." It's so backwards. It infuriates me. As far as postpartum goes I actually had a wonderful time postpartum! No issues at all. I was worried about that too but despite my severe anxiety I didn't have any problems. The lack of sleep was fine. I am a night owl though lol and I have a wonderful husband. If you have support, you will be okay 💗

WorryBrain

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 22w

What are you waiting for….

My struggles with OCD began in childhood, but it wasn’t until after giving birth to my first child at 30 that I finally received a diagnosis. For years, I suffered in silence with intense anxiety, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts, but because my compulsions were mostly mental—constant rumination, reassurance-seeking, and avoidance—I didn’t realize I had OCD. I experienced Pure O, where my mind would latch onto terrifying thoughts, convincing me something was deeply wrong with me. After my son was born, I was consumed by intrusive fears of harming him, even though I loved him more than anything. Seven weeks into postpartum, I hit a breaking point and ended up in the emergency room, where I was finally diagnosed. For the first time, everything made sense. I didn’t discover exposure and response prevention (ERP) until years later when my son developed Germ OCD during COVID. I went through the program myself first, and it completely changed my life. ERP helped me sit with my intrusive thoughts instead of reacting to them, breaking the cycle that had controlled me for so long. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s so much better than before. I can finally be present instead of trapped in my head. Now, I’m working on trusting myself more and handling challenges without fear of “losing control.” As I prepare to help my daughter start therapy, I feel empowered knowing I’m giving my children the support I never had. If you know you have OCD but haven’t started therapy yet, what’s holding you back?

"Pure" OCD

Anony1314

Date posted: 18w

POCD friends. Need support

Hey friends. I hope you all are doing good today. Just struggling mentally myself. Feel like a terrible mother, but I want another baby. My OCD has gotten better despite the terrible episode I had that I seem to not get over. I hope someone comments that could just give me some support with POCD

Holl1

Date posted: 17w

OCD

So I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and I’m freaking out rn I’ve been getting thoughts like “I’ll be a bad mum” and overthinking everything & my OCD is convincing me that I’ll act on my thoughts because of my hormones and stuff. I’ve also got a fear of being sick & I’m stressing over that too. Anyone else who has harm OCD pregnant or a Mum can give me some advice pls😭

Harm OCD

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