Wait, what is Postpartum OCD?
Yep. It’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that develops or is magnified as part of the postpartum experience. Women who don’t have OCD can develop it as part of their childbirth experience. Women who already have OCD can see their symptoms intensify during postpartum.
Most simply defined, OCD is when “intrusive thoughts” become fairly constant, and a person starts acting on those thoughts.
What are intrusive thoughts? For example a worry like, “I’m afraid my baby will drown” comes up over and over throughout the hours and days in a fairly non-stop way.
Taking it one step further, acting on the intrusive thoughts is an additional confirmation of an issue. For example, acting on the fear of the baby drowning by not giving the baby a bath would be a sign.
On episode 67 of Fourth Trimester Podcast we focus on postpartum OCD and speak with Megan Ellow who is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Delaware.
Megan has been working in the field of mental health for 9 years, working with children, teens, adults and families. Her passion is working with women struggling with mental health concerns surrounding pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. She has a small private practice, Nest Counseling and Wellness, in Wilmington, Delaware where she focuses on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is a member and volunteer with Postpartum Support International and a survivor of postpartum depression and postpartum OCD. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, her seven year old stepson and four year old daughter.
The episode covers:
- Signs of Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD
- How to find help if you think you may have symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD (Hint: start by calling an anonymous helpline 800-944-4773)
- Megan’s true story of postpartum OCD and her recovery
If you’re pregnant and want to have a list of resources on hand for after baby arrives, PUT THESE ON YOUR LIST!
- You can reach out to Megan directly for a free consultation
- Postpartum Support International: Website: Postpartum.net Helpline: 800-944-4773 Texting Line: 503-894-945
You can read more about Megan in this Psychology Today Profile: https://www.
Listen to Megan Ellow on the Fourth Trimester Podcast Episode 67. Click here for iTunes and click here for Google Podcasts. Enjoy! xo