Postpartum OCD: Everything You Need to Know

When you have just had a baby, you know your world has changed forever. This postpartum period is truly an exciting time - but there are some anxieties creeping in. Some anxiety is common, but when these anxieties become fear-inducing, it is a reason for concern.

For instance, the what-ifs like “What if I contaminate my baby?”, or “What if I drop my baby?”, or “What if I lose my baby?”, or “What if I molest my baby?”, become so intrusive that they leave you panicked, combined with repetitive actions like checking and washing your baby, these are some signs of postpartum OCD.

Postpartum OCD (pOCD) is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that occurs immediately after childbirth - during the postpartum period. It is characterized by obsessions and compulsions that center around the newborn baby, and can develop in the mother or father.

Linda Whiteside, Clinical Supervisor at the NuView Treatment Center, says, “While the world is becoming more informed about how sensitive the postpartum period can be, postpartum OCD is still not a very well-understood condition. Typically, it is characterized by obsessive thoughts revolving around hurting, contaminating, or losing the baby, followed by compulsive actions of repeatedly checking or washing the baby. Sometimes, these intrusive obsessions can become sexual in nature, at which point the new parent goes to extreme lengths to avoid the baby.”

While there is no one single postpartum OCD cause, some reasons that experts have suggested are:

• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes among women, especially major shifts in estrogen, can give rise to intense feelings, making OCD a real risk.
• History of Mental Health Conditions: Family or personal history of mental health conditions like OCD, anxiety, and depression can increase the risk of OCD. It is also closely tied to trauma and perfectionist tendencies.
• External Factors: Postpartum is a sensitive, stressful period in general. If it is coupled with other factors like financial burdens, OCD can become a real risk.

While postpartum OCD is found in both mothers and fathers, women are more likely to struggle with pOCD. It is found in 2.43% to 9% of women and in 1.7% of men.

Keeping yourself informed and recognizing the symptoms of postpartum OCD early can lead to early intervention and recovery.

Some commonly recognizable postpartum OCD symptoms are:

• OCD symptoms begin or rapidly worsen during the postpartum period, typically between 2-8 weeks after birth.
• Obsessions are characterized by hurting, contaminating, losing, or accidentally molesting the baby.
• Compulsive behaviors involve repeatedly checking or washing the baby, or even going to extreme lengths to avoid the baby.
• Obsessions and compulsions interfere with caretaking abilities.
• Depressed mood
• Sleeping troubles.

If left untreated, postpartum OCD can become a lifelong condition. The severity may change, and you may feel like you are improving, but pOCD never goes away on its own. However, with treatment, pOCD can be effectively managed.

Linda Whiteside says, “At NuView, we have observed that postpartum OCD symptoms often begin to improve within the first few months of treatment, with many of our clients achieving full recovery within six months. Early intervention plays a key role in speeding up these recovery rates.”

Postpartum OCD is treated with psychotherapy and medication.

Postpartum OCD Therapy

Therapies used for pOCD are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. CBT focuses on changing maladaptive thoughts leading to pOCD, while ERP focuses on safely exposing you to your fears under controlled conditions. This reduces anxiety and breaks the obsessive-compulsive cycle.

Postpartum OCD Medication

Medication is used to reduce symptoms and alleviate suffering. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants commonly prescribed to manage the symptoms of postpartum OCD. They play a role in reducing the intensity of the symptoms.

At NuView, we understand that postpartum OCD can be challenging for new mothers and fathers. Our expert team designs therapeutic and medical interventions based on your mental health history, symptoms, needs, and goals, taking into consideration the transitions of parenthood so you never have to navigate recovery alone.

Please do not hesitate to call us at (323) 307-7997 to connect with our experts today!

1. What are postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts like?

Postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts often revolve around hurting, losing, or accidentally molesting the newborn baby.

2. Is postpartum OCD connected with other postpartum mental health conditions?

Yes, postpartum OCD is connected with postpartum depression. It is also often confused with postpartum psychosis, but these two are not related.

3. Does postpartum OCD go away on its own?

No, postpartum OCD does not go away on its own. It becomes a lifelong condition if left untreated. While the severity may change and you can remain symptom-free for a period of time, it will not go away.

4. Is postpartum OCD treatment effective?

Yes, postpartum OCD can be effectively treated with CBT, ERP, and medication.

5. How much does postpartum OCD treatment cost?

While postpartum OCD treatment costs vary depending on the treatment center and the length of your treatment, it is mostly covered by your insurance policy.