Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum brings with it many feelings, hormone, changes, and role transitions. Some women develop symptoms of anxiety and depression to the point of where it causes significant distress. Findings suggest that 1 in 7 women, have diagnosable depression and/or anxiety during the postpartum period.
Is this postpartum OCD?
A study from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that pregnancy and childbirth can produce OCD symptoms or increase symptoms of OCD if previously diagnosed.
Symptoms of OCD in the perinatal period include:
Contamination obsessions and washing/cleaning rituals, common during pregnancy
Intrusive obsessional thoughts or images of harming the baby
Avoidance behaviors or checking rituals
Other OCD symptoms include:
Worry of accidentally causing harm to the baby
Fear of exposing baby to toxins or chemicals
Obsessively checking baby while he/she sleeps
Unwanted sexual thoughts
Excessive washing or sterilizing baby’s clothing or bottles
Onset of OCD in the postpartum period can happen as early as 2-3 days post birth and considered “rapid onset”. Typically OCD, does not get diagnosed and then goes untreated. This can lead to negative affects in the family, the woman, and the baby.
The literature review also suggested that pregnancy and/or birth can exacerbate symptoms of OCD if the mother already suffers from obsessive/compulsive symptoms.
Postpartum OCD can be treated through outpatient therapy. Typically, using CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is an effective treatment that specifically addresses decreasing intrusive thoughts and teach healthy coping skills. Some women are treated with psychiatric medications as well to manage their OCD. Discussions with your provider or therapist will help determine what level of care and treatment approach would be best for you. Postpartum OCD is treatable and the symptoms you may be experiencing are not your fault and you can get better.
The constant fear, overthinking, and worry lead some women to believe they may actually harm their baby. These thoughts are anxious in nature and there is a very low chance of women acting on these thoughts since these are not considered to be delusions.
To be clear, OCD symptoms can sometimes be confused with postpartum psychosis.
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is an emergent situation that needs immediate medical attention. The onset of postpartum psychosis typically occurs within the first 2 weeks post birth with sudden onset. Essentially the mother is having a break from reality and her delusions and hallucinations appear real to her.
Symptoms include:
Strange beliefs or delusions
Hallucinations- seeing or hearing things that are not there
Paranoia
Decreased need for sleep
Difficulty communicating
Rapid mood swings
Extreme irritation
hyperactivity
Risk factors include:
Family history
Previous psychotic episode
History of bipolar disorder
Postpartum psychosis is very rare, 1 or 2 out of 1000 births. .1-.2% of women postpartum. Postpartum psychosis is treatable and temporary, but professional help and monitoring is needed for stabilization.
If you or someone you know is suffering with postpartum psychosis call for immediate help by calling your doctor, 911, or going to your closest emergency room.
If you believe you are struggling with postpartum OCD, you can call me at 970-795-2100 or email me at alison@hartmantherapyco.com to learn more or ask any questions you may have.