Intrusive thoughts?

[Genesis]

Anyone get these? I HATE when that happens, it makes me feel like I am mentally unstable, and I can't stand that feeling. I am very grateful though that I haven't had any problems taking care of my child.

I am really struggling to stay off meds, but it's getting so hard. Does this stuff ever let up or go away withOUT meds or no? Please don't say anything too discouraging, it'll make me feel worse.

[milliegirl]

I can't really answer your question, as I'm still on Zoloft and still experiencing intrusive thoughts occasionally and my DD is 10 mos. I had TERRIBLE postpartum anxiety and OCD for the first few weeks after she was born, and the intrusive thoughts were absolutely the worst part. It has gotten better, and I hope it will get better soon for you too.

FWIW, antidepressants and therapy (along with lots of support from family) really helped me. The thing that made the biggest difference tho' was talking to a psychiatrist who reassured me that intrusive thoughts are VERY common (especially postpartum), and not let them get to me too much - i.e., just recognize "I'm having an intrusive thought" then let it go (easier said than done, I know). A couple of books that helped were:

A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health by Dean Raffelock
Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD by Christine Purdon & David A. Clark
The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts by Lee Baer

Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone and send some {{{{{hugs}}}}} your way.

Lynn

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I had them with meds even I hope you get past this soon

[mom0810]

Wanted to add Brain Lock and STOP Obsessing to the list of recommended books. The meds will help, but you also need to work some kind of CBT.

[smartalec]

you're not alone. i had always been a very relaxed, non-heebie-jeebie mom until my 2nd. then i just got obsessive and the weirdest worries started to enter my life. it's the ppd. while they haven't completely gone away, it's like i'm in control of them and not the other way around. i have done a combination of zoloft, exercise, vitamins, diet, and a great support group. i really believe that the other 4 factors made it possible for me to stay on the lowest dose of the drug, too. i went on it in may and this month we are beginning to wean off. i do plan on keeping up the other things and not weaning off them as well !
hope that helps and know that you will get better. the psi website is a wonderful resource and you can find a support group in your area through that- bonus: it's usually free.

[jennybean0722]

Hey there - I had intrusive thoughts too, and although they got less with meds, they didn't go away. I believe it is part PPD, and part just being a mom that worries. I not only get them with my son, but with other family members too, and honestly, I have had them for a long time. I would have thoughts of someone getting in a car accident, someone slipping and falling into our lake, stuff like that. I would think...'what if "this" happened?', and then I remind myself that bad situations like these rarely happen (well maybe not car accidents). I never imagined me doing things to others, rather it still being my fault because I wasn't paying attention or something.

My dad has had depression, brother too, and my mom and her mom are/were serious worry-warts. I think growing up in this situation has made me who I am for sure! Not in a bad way though

[gwerydd]

Intrusive thoughts are the worst. i had them too so i know how you feel. they scared the s**t out of me. i was so worried that if people knew what kind of thoughts i was having that they would think i am the worst mother in the world. i have since learned that they are part of PPD. medication can help, it doesn't always get rid of them, i still have them sometimes, but they aren't as frequent or as bad. talking to a therapist is also helpful, they can give you techniques for dealing with them when they come on. i hope that you can find something that helps beacause on top of everything else that you're dealing with you don't need these kinds of thoughts, KWIM?

[mama to 2 girls]

You aren't alone....I had them horribly! To the point where it kept me awake for hours at night. I managed to get thru it without meds but it was so hard.....I know it may seem bleek right now but you WILL get better....As a pp mentioned it did help to talk to someone about it, even if it was just an understanding relative....I didn't think I would ever pull out of it but I did and you will too....I know sometimes it can feel like you are drowning but you just have to make sure you keep your head above water.

[wendyland]

I've gotten them after each baby. It hasn't been as bad this time. Maybe because my diet is more regular? Or I just don't have time for any thoughts at all since I have 3 kids now. The thoughts are worse when I'm in a situation of heights or when driving. It has helped me just knowing that they are part of ppd and not my fault. They don't usually last too long for me. They fade over a few months or so.

Also, make sure you get as much sleep as u can. I feel that mine are worse when I'm tired.

[savvybabygrace]

I have them all the time, and hate them. They're usually about horrible things happening to my girls, and I literally have to shake my head to get them to stop. Usually I exclaim "Oh god!" or something like that outloud and my husband asks what's wrong. I'll make an excuse, like "Oh, just getting stressed about (this or that)" or "I stubbed my toe" or something.

But these thoughts are invading my brain. I wish they'd go away.

[Kailey's mom]

huge hugs, I had them often, I really thought I was going insane or something for about 6 or 7 weeks postpartum, mine was "death thoughts". I would keep thinking about how short life is, or thinking how time is passing too fast, obsessing about how in ONLY 55 years my mom would be 100, then obsessing on how aweful it would be if she dies, etc etc etc etc.. OMG it was hell, but yes this will pass ... whenever you get the thought, don't dwell, push it away. eventually you won't have to.

[lesliep]

I also had intrusive thoughts with my first pregnancy (not with my second though). Anyhow, I didn't have a name to associate with what I was dealing with. I find it hard to think about that time in our lives, because my intrusive thoughts were so terrible and dominating. I found this article which I think is pretty excellent:

http://www.momsquawk.com/articles/23/27/31/

Personally, I couldn't get any kind of mental relief until I started Zoloft. Initially I didn't want to go on it--instead I tried to power-through. I was miserable, and missed out on some wonderful time with my baby because I was in such a horrible mental state. I have to say that Zoloft totally changed my life. Slowly the intrusive thoughts came less and less and within a few weeks stopped altogether. I nursed while on Zoloft as well. I wasted a lot of time avoiding medication. I understand that Zoloft isn't a cure-all, but it was the answer for me. I stayed on a low dose for approximately a year. I haven't been on it since.

Let me know if I can help you in any way.

[MilkTrance]

I thought I was the only one.

I can't tell anyone about the thoughts I've had, but I'm glad I'm not alone.

[MommytoTwo]

They will go away but it takes time... I didnt take any meds after my first two kids and I had PPD both times and I had the intrusive thoughts for many months... with DS1 I didnt know I had PPD and just thought I was going crazy.

I can't tell anyone about the thoughts I've had, but I'm glad I'm not alone.

You most certainly arent... I know what you mean.... (((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

[coco4cloth]

I had them really bad too. I have NEVER shared the thought that started it all with anyone. I am on zoloft. The meds and time seem to be the only thing that helped.
this site helped me a lot. http://p071.ezboard.com/OBSESSIVE-CO...epressionfrm47

[Blancanieves]

Hi!

When Antidepressants do not help, it can mean that the cause is not being treated.. Please read this thread:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=747775

Can be you thyroid is not working properly or there is an hormon imbalance (Progesteron and Estrogens)

Has anyone of you checked the thyroid or the sexual hormons before starting taking antidepressants?


Blanca

[coco4cloth]

Yes, make sure you have a full blood test done. My levels all came back ok. It just really really sucks that time is what seems to be the answer. Reach out for support. See if you have a support group around you. My support group saved my life, I am now going to run the classes myself.

[Blancanieves]

Hi coco4cloth!

That is the problem with the thyroid! normal ranges do not mean, that you Thyroid is ok...
Moreover progesterone has to be checked on the 21. day of your cycle and estrogen on the 3, 4. or 5. day..

Please read all the links I mentioned above!

[FireflyFan]

I'm not sure how my doc would take the suggestion to do an ultrasound of my thyroid, but I could ask her. She did a blood workup and says my thyroid levels are normal.

I have had intrusive thoughts like that all my life. In fact, I thought they were normal. It's only been recent that I discovered that not everyone gets them.

Just this morning, I watched my husband ride his bike to work and had horrible thoughts about what if he gets crushed by a truck, etc.

I've been on Zoloft since last week... I hope it helps these thoughts! Thanks for all of your input everyone (even though I didn't start this thread).