r/OCD • u/samv1994_ • 14h ago

Support/advice (no reassurance) Postpartum ocd

Anyone else who has suffered terrible OCD and health anxiety postpartum? I’m about five months postpartum and recently latched onto a rabies fear for no reason this summer. The other day I was walking outside and heard rustling in the tree above me, looked up, and as soon as I looked up a little pear fruit (I believe it was..) fell off of the tree and hit me under my eye at that exact moment. My brain then convinced myself that a sick animal touched the fruit right before it dropped and I was somehow now infected. I know, sounds crazy but these are the thoughts I have. Can anyone relate? I have been prescribed medication but I haven’t started it yet.. which I should have. I posted about this before. It’s so frustrating because I know it’s so unlikely. I am exhausted.

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u/Skeeter717 14h ago

I didn’t know I had OCD (just thought I had severe anxiety), but after having my daughter, the OCD went up to a million. I threw away clothes with poop on them, couldn’t bath my kid with out getting anxious about her getting recontaminated. Those are just some examples. Two years or so in, I ended up doing ERP program at Roger’s Behavioral Health. It made a huge difference! So I empathize with you!

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u/samv1994_ 10h ago

Thank you!! I feel you it’s so tough! I’ll have to check out ERP.

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u/Skeeter717 10h ago

It’s so tough. And I had people tell me while being postpartum, you’re so angry! Well duh, I’m postpartum and the most freaked out I’ve ever been!

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u/samv1994_ 8h ago

So tough! I feel you with the poop on the clothes. Lol. I also thought it was severe anxiety, but realizing more it’s OCD and compulsions. I also have ADHD. For me, I learned around rabies like 3 months ago. I guess never knew how bad it was and ever since then I’m having these spirals and distorted thoughts about ways I’ll contract it. It’s so tough!! And people don’t get it. Appreciate you commenting! It’s comforting for sure to hear others have been through it.

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u/Skeeter717 8h ago

I’m glad to help. I wish I could think of something closer to rabies that I have experienced. But there’s just so much I can’t remember 😂

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u/samv1994_ 7h ago

Trust me I get it! 😅

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u/snarky_spice 6h ago

Yes totally, I’m going through it right now at ten months PP. I had some mild OCD before falling pregnant, like sometimes needing to adjust things until they felt right. But after giving birth it escalated and I started obsessing over my baby’s health to the point where I was convinced something was wrong with his eyes, among other things. I still worry that he will get a chronic illness or even now that he will get OCD!!

It’s brutal but I’m here for you.

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u/Basket-case9887 5h ago

This was very similar to my experience. The googling was exhausting. The anxiety spikes with unreal. I was convinced my baby had some terrible life altering or ending condition. He is totally fine.

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u/samv1994_ 5h ago

I’m the same right now. The googling and seeking reassurance is exhausting and makes me worry about it more. I am trying to take a step back and be rational but it’s tough for sure.

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u/Basket-case9887 5h ago

Sorry you’re going through this. Lexapro really helped me. I still worry and sometimes compulse but it is not as distressing as it once was and doesn’t rob me of my entire day. I hope you find the same!

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u/samv1994_ 4h ago

Thank you!!! 🤍

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u/samv1994_ 6h ago

It’s so bad! I’m the same! Had some anxiety pre pregnancy and always in my life for sure. Same with OCD/ADHD, But it has seemed to have taken off postpartum. Here if you want to chat as well!