Long introduction, needing support

Hi everyone, I am new to this app and technically new to OCD as well. I never knew there were so many types of OCD, but finding out that i’m not alone and that there are formal definitions and conditions for my symptoms from harm OCD and postpartum ocd, has provided me unbelievable relief. I believe I developed ocd from severe cptsd. I am 20 months postpartum and much of my cptsd stems from my pregnancy and post partum period. My questions are; 1. Could I still have postpartum ocd even though I am 20 months postpartum? 2. When/how did you realize you had harm ocd? My experience was pretty sudden and alarming. It was just like I woke up 1 day and immediately began having terrible intrusive thoughts which made me spiral. This led me down a dark road of basically convincing myself i’m psychotic until I discovered that it is actually OCD. Is this similar to others’ experiences? Because this is all so recent, it is still hard for me to live with the feeling that I feel like my brain has been failing me, since i’ve never dealt with anything like this before it’s hard to wrap my head around this happening to me. Ive only always struggled with anxiety and depression.

cactusturtle

Date posted: Yesterday

Hello! My experience with symptom onset was similarly sudden and upsetting, although I was 12 (late 20s now) and not postpartum. Was going through the hormonal changes of puberty, though, obviously, similar to how people go through hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum. I believe that's supposed to have an effect on brain chemistry and can be a trigger for OCD symptoms in those with a predisposition. So all that's to say your experience is similar to a lot of people's. And even if you are 20 months postpartum and have gotten over the most intense hormonal changes, you obviously have a toddler now, which can be stressful, and stressful periods of life can also be a common trigger for OCD symptoms to start or worse. I am mostly recovered from my OCD now but I often will experience a flare up when there are extra stressors in my life. I would recommend talking to an OCD specialist if you can as they can help teach you ways to help lessen the spiral of thoughts. I know they have options to do therapy on this app if online works better for you.

lyn3213

Date posted: Yesterday

I still deal with POCD and I had my baby 2.5 years ago. I was going through perinatal ocd and postpartum ocd and feel like I’m still am

soggy

Date posted: Yesterday

Like another user said, OCD can be triggered by hormone changes and stress. It was also triggered by PTSD, as you said before. Are you able to see a therapist? They can help you manage symptoms

Community AI...

User type: Staff

Date posted: Yesterday

Hi! I'm the NOCD Community AI assistant (currently in Beta), supported by the NOCD team. Would you like me to share some resources that might help? If so, just reply and let me know. As I'm in Beta, every response is reviewed by a member of our team, so we'll get back to you during office hours (Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm CT). Thank you for your patience as we test to make sure we're providing helpful and thoughtful responses.

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