Pregnant and OCD

[annettemarie]

I have always had mildish OCD, but every now and again it gets kicked into high gear. Finding out I am pregnant with twins seems to be one of those precipitating events that's making my OCD all crazy. Having two miscarriages in the 6 months prior isn't helping either. BUT I have no energy to carry anything out, which is making me even more anxious and stressed. Anyone else dealing with this? Anyone been through it and have any coping mechanisms? It's really affecting my life in a negative way. I do have 6 free counseling visits through insurance, and I'm thinking of calling and getting in to talk with someone.

Thanks!

[rparker]

I'm diagnosed with OCD and I quit all medication at the start of my first pregnancy and haven't gone back.

This probably isn't the healthiest solution but what's been helping me during this pregnancy is to channel my obsessive impulses as much as possible toward activities that have nothing to do with birth/pregnancy. It's pretty cliche but I've been doing things like buying new containers to sort my recycling and overall becoming--according to my husband--a bit too involved in the recycling in general. I also began tearing all of our downstairs carpet out because it "bothered" me and embarking on other home renovation projects. I've chopped (err "trimmed") one of the bushes in our front yard until it is almost unrecognizable. I reorganized my daughter's room. I'm tackling 2+ years worth of neglected photos and baby keepsakes... etc. Plus I've been spending too much time checking (and rechecking) the boards on MDC along with various other websites that I need to cycle through several times before I feel "ok" enough to walk away.

And despite all of that I'm still reading and freaking out way too much about potential complications and dead babies. I can only imagine how bad it must be with twins It makes me nervous to just begin to think about about all of the potential things to "check" in relation to a twin pregnancy/birth. I guess this isn't that helpful, but you have my sympathy/empathy. The free counseling is probably a good idea!

[mizznicole]

My friend has a PhD in psych and specializes in OCD. It's highly treatable! I really encourage you to follow up on the counseling. I believe that the treatment falls under cognitive-behavioral therapy.

[KempsMama]

Ah mental health and pregnancy....they just don't do well together for me.

I'm Bipolar with OCD and severe social anxiety. I'm also one of those unlucky women who get slammed with the severest form of every pregnancy symptom known and unknown to the Obstetrics community. Forcing myself to let the little things go in order to take care of myself results in depression and anxiety over all the things that aren't taken care of. Being stressed and depressed means I get even less accomplished, and does not help my digestive issues, my gall bladder or my gestational diabetes which means...you guessed it, even LESS gets done. Ag!!!!

I had totally revamped my chore schedule and routine when I found out I was pg again, to allow for more down time. 27 weeks of morning sickness through that routine right out the window.

My therapist says I need to give myself credit for what I do accomplish. I can't get passed the fact that my blinds didn't get bleached this spring.....

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by rparker

This probably isn't the healthiest solution but what's been helping me during this pregnancy is to channel my obsessive impulses as much as possible toward activities that have nothing to do with birth/pregnancy. It's pretty cliche but I've been doing things like buying new containers to sort my recycling and overall becoming--according to my husband--a bit too involved in the recycling in general. I also began tearing all of our downstairs carpet out because it "bothered" me and embarking on other home renovation projects. I've chopped (err "trimmed") one of the bushes in our front yard until it is almost unrecognizable. I reorganized my daughter's room. I'm tackling 2+ years worth of neglected photos and baby keepsakes... etc. Plus I've been spending too much time checking (and rechecking) the boards on MDC along with various other websites that I need to cycle through several times before I feel "ok" enough to walk away.

The thing is, I want to do all that... but I have zero energy. So on top of the OCD urge to supernest, I'm having major anxiety.

Originally Posted by KempsMama

My therapist says I need to give myself credit for what I do accomplish. I can't get passed the fact that my blinds didn't get bleached this spring.....

We had just ALMOST finished spring cleaning when the all-day sickness and exhaustion hit hard. For over a month I have been obsessing over the few things that didn't get done. Not that it matters because everything else is trashed now too.

I still haven't called. Everything just seems like such a huge big deal.

[Ellen Griswold]

I think the free sessions would be a great idea - after all, they really can't hurt. That first phone call seems so hard, but you can do it.

[CherryBomb]

I don't have full blown ocd, but I do have PTSD and GAD and some OCD tendencies. Usually it's just silly things like I have to put my shoes and socks on starting with my left foot, or the volume on the tv has to be an even number or one divisible by 5. But I tend to get germaphobic during pregnancy. Like wiping stuff down antibacterial wipes and crap. I want the house to be spotless but I'm too tired to do it so I just get all wound up and bitchy, blah.

[KempsMama]

One thing I've found that helps with the anxiety over tackling stuff I feel is sooo overwhelming is to call in reinforcements. I have a girlfriend who will come help me tackle almost any project, no matter what. She knows me, understands my complexes, and all I have to do is say "I'm overwhelmed!" and she comes to my aid. Heck, just yesterday she took three loads of laundry over to her house, because I got so behind I wanted to cry. She brought it back today clean and folded. I don't know what I'd do without her.

Thankfully I'm able to return the favor for her. Not in the same way, she handles things way better than I do. But I help her out by babysitting, picking her kids up, or whatever. And she just found out she's pregnant with her fourth, so I'll have ample opportunity to scratch her back.

[annettemarie]

I still haven't called. Um... tomorrow. Someone yell at me if I don't.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I still haven't called. Um... tomorrow. Someone yell at me if I don't.

Can do.

I have severe depression, severe anxiety, and severe OCD. Were it not for my meds and therapy (twice a week since I was ten) I would been even nuttier than I already am.

Treatment can help. I'm a living testament to that fact. I moved on Saturday and actually had a good day. Just ten years ago I would have been pulling my hair out.

Hang in there, mama. I know how hard it can be when it's just you, but you're carrying twins right now, so it must be especially difficult for you right now. The most important thing right now is that you take care of yourself.

[3 little birds]

I had severe, debilitating OCD. I started counseling (the hardest part) and was prescribed heavy duty meds because at that point, giving up seemed easier than going on. The counseling and medication helped me feel less upset/guilty, but I didn't want to be on the medication for a long time and the OCD wasn't getting better. I happened upon a book called Brain Lock by Jeffrey Schwartz. It taught me to change the pathways in my brain so that I wouldn't keep going through the same thought processes. It really, really worked. I truly believe it saved/changed my life. I haven't needed medication or counseling since (about 14 years ago). Even today if I feel an obsessive thought creep in (rare) I automatically go through the retraining steps without almost thinking about it.

My first pregnancy was twins-congratulations!

I hope you find peace soon.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I still haven't called. Um... tomorrow. Someone yell at me if I don't.

Have you called?

[stephr_k]

Ocd

I agree the sessions couldn't hurt. Hope you have called.

I also have mild OCD. My pregnancy with DS it went into overdrive. I must have re-arranged the nursery and washed his clothes about 30 times in the last 2 trimesters. I also focused on healthy task like educating my self on parenting styles, cloth diapering options, finding the best daycare, etc. Good luck.

[annettemarie]

I haven't yet. I need to get my husband's SS# or the card. DOH!

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I haven't yet. I need to get my husband's SS# or the card. DOH!

Can you not call your husband to get it or ask where the card is?

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by paintedfire

Can you not call your husband to get it or ask where the card is?

He'll be home in a half an hour. I already called him demanding Beefaroni so I'll just wait. They take calls 24/7.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

He'll be home in a half an hour. I already called him demanding Beefaroni so I'll just wait. They take calls 24/7.

I have absolutely no idea what "Beefaroni" is but I take it from the paper bag smilie that it's not all that good.

I don't mean to be pushy, but I know from experience that therapy really makes a big difference. I lived in Kenya for almost six months after law school and near the end I was almost losing my mind. Once I got back into therapy things started leveling off.

Just make sure you call, okay?

[paintedfire]

Did you call?