Postnatal OCD Counselling

Postnatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that can affect new mothers in the period following childbirth. It is characterised by obsessive and intrusive thoughts, images or impulses concerning the safety of their baby that cause distress and anxiety for the mother. These obsessions may lead to compulsions such as repeatedly checking that the baby is safe and checking they haven’t harmed them in any way.

What are the risk factors?

There are certain risk factors that can increase a mother’s chances of developing postnatal OCD, including: a family history of OCD or other mental health problems, perinatal depression and anxiety, previous experience with OCD, and a lack of social support.

Perinatal depression and anxiety are both risk factors for postnatal OCD, and can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Symptoms of perinatal depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability or anger, low self-esteem, a lack of energy or motivation, difficulty making decisions, unwanted thoughts and sleeping problems. Anxiety may manifest in persistent worrying, restlessness, poor concentration or mood swings, panic attacks and finding it difficult to take part in social situations.

How is it treated?

There are various treatments available for postnatal OCD which include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP). CBT helps the mother to identify their negative thoughts and irrational beliefs, while ERP involves gradually exposing the mother to their fears while learning how to cope with them. In more severe cases, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed by a doctor in order to treat the OCD symptoms.

In addition to medical treatments, it is important for new mothers suffering from postnatal OCD to take steps towards bonding with their baby and seek social support from family and friends. It is also recommended that they join a local support group or contact the charity OCD UK for advice and information on how to manage their condition.

Postnatal OCD can be a difficult condition to cope with, but it is important to remember that there are treatments available which can help to reduce its symptoms and enable a new mother to enjoy her experience of bonding with her baby.

To summarise, postnatal OCD is an anxiety disorder which can affect new mothers in the period after childbirth. It is characterised by intrusive and obsessive thoughts which cause distress and anxiety. There are various risk factors associated with it including family history of mental health problems, previous experience with OCD, perinatal depression and anxiety, and lack of social support.

How can Postnatal OCD Counselling help?

Counselling can be a powerful tool in helping to reduce the symptoms of postnatal OCD. The aim of counselling is to help new mothers identify their negative thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that are causing them distress and anxiety.

Through discussing these issues in an open, non-judgemental setting, it can help the mother to gain insight into her condition and develop strategies to cope with the symptoms. Counselling can also be beneficial in helping the mother to build a support network, work on her self-esteem, and learn how to better manage stress.

In some cases, counselling may even help the mother to resolve underlying issues that could have contributed to the development of postnatal OCD. Thus, it can play an important role in helping the mother to overcome her condition and enjoy bonding with her baby.

It is recommended that new mothers with postnatal OCD seek professional help from a mental health practitioner in order to get the most appropriate treatment for their individual needs.

How can Dr Jo Gee Psychoyherapy help?

This is where Dr Jo Gee Psychotherapy excels. Not only are we fully accredited with BACP and have decades of combined experience.

We think it is vitally important that you get to speak to female therapists in this instance aswell as there is a more maternal and feminine bond that you can’t replicate with a male therapist, although they do great work.

We always start with a mini assessment which is around 50 minutes long. This allows us to set smart goals and see what you want to get out of the therapy sessions. It helps us understand your personality aswell and tailor our therapy for maximum effectiveness.

It may feel difficult to reach out but you shouldn’t feel any shame, you want the best for yourself and your baby and so do we. Get in touch today via the booking form online or give us a call, so we can work out how we can help you going forward. We look forward to hearing from you.