Can you be reported to CPS or equivalent for Intrusive Thoughts?

[MilkTrance]

Can you be reported to CPS (or Canadian equivalent, I guess that would be Ministry of Children and Families here in BC) for intrusive thoughts (those featuring yourself as the "doer" of harm to the baby).

This is my main concern for getting help. The thoughts are getting worse and are turning into nightmares. But I don't want to be "flagged" and have a ministry worker invade my home, especially since we are non-vax, don't attend well baby visits, co-sleep, co-bathe, are often nude, cloth diaper, all the "weird" stuff.

I understand that Canada is more liberal than the US for child care, but I think all of these things ADDED UP plus the intrusive thoughts and PPD would flag us. I don't want to endanger my family but these stupid thoughts and stuff are getting more than I can handle, dunno what to do?

[SwissMama]

I dont know the answer, but I just wanted to give you a hug. I would hope that it would not be the case, esp since you are reaching out for help. Its the ones that ARENT that they should be looking for.

Hang in there, mama. I know there were days like that, and I don't even consider myself as ever having PPD (just a mix of hormones combined with a bad day of her crying!). i can't imagine what you must be going through.

[Sheal]

CAS (children's aid society). No, you will not get reported for it. Canada is not as liberal about it as you think but most doc's take into account the whole picture when it comes to mental health status (ie: just had a baby? family history. ECT)

Go to a doc you trust and seek out help. You're not alone mama.

I've been medicated for clinical depression\PPD for over 3 yrs now. I go to a group called Depression's Anon (try to find a chapter in your area). Depression is not just healed by medication but by therapy in conjunction with medication. If you can't find a DA group, find a mama group that gathers together at least once to twice a week (and deals with PPD\Depression).

If you need something, pm me. I'll be there mama.

[luli]

I couldn't read this and not post. First I want to tell you that I hope you get some help or start feeling better soon. For me the intrusive/obsessive thoughts began about a month and a half ago. It got so scary that I had my husband take me to the hospital. As bad as it was I spilled my guts so I could get the help I needed to feel better. It was difficult as I'm 6 months pregnant so treatment is a little more touchy.
At any rate I live in the US and they didn't report me to anyone. I suggest that you find a counselor/psychologist/iatrist that can help you. My first step down that road was a trip to my primary care physician. Although, I know healthcare in Canada is different.
Hang in there, it can and does get better with treatment. I hope you are able to find someone who can help you understand what's going on. It makes a huge difference. There are also medications to help out if you are interested in that route as well.

Big Hugs,
Luli

[gwerydd]

i know what you are going through. CAS will only get involved if you are hospitalized for PPD. that happened to me and the hospital had to contact CAS. they came to the house once and chatted with my Dh and I. they looked my dd over (that one really irritated me) left some information and left. less than three months later the file was closed. do get help. Pyschiatrists who are familiar with PPD will understand that intrusive thoughts are common in the PP period (everyone has them to some extent they just seem to become amplified for some women PP). Medication can really help with them if they get really bad. don't let a fear of CAS stop you from getting help. your doctor won't report you for getting help.

[mom0810]

NO! You can NOT get reported for this. Postpartum OCD affects 3-5% of women and is a neurological disorder that does not have ANYTHING to do with what your actual intentions are.

Are you in therapy? On meds? This would be my only suggestion, to try and find help for the thoughts. Once you see that other women have them and that you are not considered strange or odd for them, you will feel a lot better. Meds can reduce them by a HUGE margin, and this would help, too.

[MilkTrance]

The thoughts are my main issue. I feel disgusted with myself. I love my baby SO MUCH, I feel it's such a sin to think these things. It's like I can't control my brain or something... frustrating because I used to consider myself a fairly intelligent person, able to control myself.

Anyway. I'm glad to hear that you can't be reported for this... although I still have doubts b/c isn't it for the protection of the baby to report a mum who has intrusive thoughts? How can I trust myself, what if I just snap or something? You know? THAT is what scares me about the thoughts... how do these thoughts become action in some (very, very few) mothers?

[finn'smama]

I am just going through this and in fact cps did visit my home...
Here's my story.
I have been having the same thoughts for a couple of weeks now and like you i didn't want it to get worse, so finally after a particularly bad day I went to see a doc. The problem is that we just moved across the country 4 wks ago, so I had to go to a walk-in clinic. He told me i wasn't depressed that i was just adjusting and a whole bunch of other crap: after listening to me for about 2 min. So the next day i called a crisis line hoping to connect with some resources and got the # for public health and that they did ppd screening. i called the next day and spilled my guts to, including that i had thoughts of harming my toddler. They put me in contact with mental health who proceeded to give me more phone #'s (all i really wanted was the name of a doc with some experience with ppd) and i kinda broke down crying. anyway next thing you know cps is at the door.
Now apparently they were only there to assess the safety of the kids and to offer resources, but I was freaked! We also co-sleep, non vax, no wbv etc and we just moved across the country, I've been depressed so you can only imagine what the house looked like.
Now I know that sounds scary, but I haven't let it stop me from trying to find treatment. I did find a doctor who finally got it and prescribed medication. I am hoping to feel better in a couple of weeks.
btw this has all happened between Friday and today!
mama, I know just how you're feeling and I know how hard it is to try and get help.
I think if you have a doc who knows you and you trust you will not run into this issue. I have no one here, so I think that set off some red flags for "them". Don't stop until someone listens...I already feel better just from having a doctor tell me that this is common and I'm not alone and I'm not a bad mother.
I hope this helps.
Anika

[gwerydd]

oh, i know how that feels. i was so scared that i might actually snap, i wouldn't let my dh leave me alone. i felt terrible about myself
and was really scared to tell anyone about the thoughts. my first pyschiatrist did't have a lot of experience with PPD and when she asked about the thoughts she kinda freaked and told me she was very close to admitting me to the hospital and that i needed to quit nursing. that really freaked me out and that night i just couldn't stop crying so my dh took me into emerg. they admitted me because i needed rest and they wanted to make sure that mymeds were working right. it turned out to be the best thing for me, my intern at the hospital was wonderful, he assured me that itrusive thoughts are common and that everyone has them to some extent. he also told me i could continue to nurse dd. he was so reassuring. i switched drs and found a specialist in PPD who was much more understanding about what i was going through. anyway, i know how scary it is and how much you hate yourself for thinking such things about a little person that you love so much. and the frustration at not being able to control the thoughts. you are not alone. find people you can talk to, it's so important.

[NatureMama3]

I don't know about Canada, but in the US you could well be flagged (and under scrutiny) at the least. Even just having PPD can flag you, especially with an "atypical lifestyle".

That is not to say you shouldn't get help, but you may well want to make sure your home life (cleanliness, etc) is rosy as possible at all times so that any calls would be rapidly deemed unmeritted.

I say you can, because I *was* reported for PPD and all they needed after that was a badly timed virus for my little babies. Legal or not, they DO it.

[attachedmamaof3]

I think that you could be.

Which is why when I went to my dr and asked for heavy duty meds I looked up PPD on the computer beforehand and talked about all the other SEVERE symptoms except intrusive thoughts. As long as people think your issues revolve around yourself you're good. Then you can get your meds and goodbye intrusive thoughts!! Thank goodness. (Yes, I did and I'm proud and happy to be still using said medication HINT: Zoloft can be taken while nursing)

Sad, but it's a reality.

[Irish_Blue]

Oh mama!! I couldn't read this thread and not respond, I know what your fearing because I went through the exact.same thing. I think what makes it WORSE is as others have said you can be reported, which is why I refused to seek help for so long but it got to the point where I was tired of not seeking help, so I was just very very careful with *who* I said what to, and who I sought help from. Ironically my midwife was the least helpful, but I was able to find a counselor.

I'm currently 22wks pg with my 5th (and last) child, and first girl! It makes me so so sad that I'm not enjoying my last pregnancy & my first pregnancy with a baby girl, I started having panic attacks again about 3.5wks ago and the intrusive thoughts again ~ it *is* terrifying and I wish I had some answers for you.

I'm currently taking something called CNE by Truehope, and a Tuna Omega 3 by Standard Process Inc. ~ so far I feel their begining to help but not completley & am contemplating an SSRI, I hate meds hate hate hate them, but I hate the thoughts & panic attacks worse at this point

Anyhow ~ I know were strangers, but I wanted to let you know that you can PM me anytime! I am here for you I have such sympathy for other moms who are going through this, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[mom0810]

I think as long as you are seeking help for the thoughts... therapy and/or meds... that you could not be given any trouble for it.

PPD is a very common illness, and there is no fault on the mother's part, so I can't imagine any consequences. That's like consequences for having diabetes or asthma or something. Not likely.

But you MUST seek help for this.

[tessamami]

I don't know Canada

but I would be very, VERY careful about who you confide in. In fact, I would seek out a female caregiver, a parent for counseling, and NOT a childless woman.

In the U.S., women are routinely hospitalized for PPD, and put on Halidol - I know, I was one of them. And by the way, I DID NOT have PPD, just had a bad outcome due to a resident's diagnosis. I would say that I was depressed, and who wouldn't be, after the horrific birth I had?

I have come to find out that many women have been misdiagnosed and mistreated. I happened to run into a nurse who admitted how common it was. . .

I would say that if you choose to use medication, the authorities seem to be much more understanding. Just because you are taking a medication. At the birth center where my DD was born, a childbirth education teacher actually warned parents about confiding in social workers, that we could call HER. It DOES happen that parents have problems. She says that one of her client couples said the wrong thing to a social worker, and they had difficulties. . . .

The midwife Ina May had a story to relate about a young couple having their baby taken away in Tennessee, due to an outrageous misunderstanding (non-PPD related). Crazy stuff DOES happen, be careful!

[mom0810]

Wow if that is the case, either people are not seeking the right help, or there are many unethical caregivers around.

I suggest going to one recommended by PSI, Postpartum Support International, by going to their website, www.postpartum.net. You can find referrals to caregivers all over there. And they are all very educated in postpartum issues.

I think the WORST thing that could happen is for someone not to seek help due to being afraid of judgement or reporting, etc. Find an ethical provider, and seek help. No one I have ever gone to has ever judged, reported, or said anything. They have to know about PPD, and the related disorders. Find a PSYCHOLOGIST who is a PhD. They will be able to help you more.

GP's and such do not know about these things.

Routine hospitalization is NOT something I have heard of at all, and I do not agree that it is done very often. Haldol is not something I have heard of being given to PPD moms routinely, either, as it is inappropriate.

[mom0810]

Wanted to add, Haldol is an antipsychotic. NOT an appropriate first line of treatment for PPD or PPD OCD, which is what the OP is describing. People should seek out help from Psychological professionals for such disorders.

[tessamami]

Originally Posted by mom0810

Wow if that is the case, either people are not seeking the right help, or there are many unethical caregivers around.
. . . .
Routine hospitalization is NOT something I have heard of at all, and I do not agree that it is done very often. Haldol is not something I have heard of being given to PPD moms routinely, either, as it is inappropriate.

I don't think that it is a case of being unethical - I think that people who haven't been through childbirth, or had a traumatic experience can understand. . . .I think that many times they act out of concern, unfortunately we just don't have extensive social networks in the U.S. . . .after my release from the hospital, a hospital social worker referred me to a baby nurse, but you know what? That baby nurse was absolutely terrible - it would have been better to be referred to a postpartum doula. . . .also depending on insurance issues - again, this is a U.S. problem. . . .

As for "routine hospitalization" - YES it IS happening. . . .the nurse I mentioned, and also a pyschiatrist have told us that halidol is standard for postpartum psychosis - and YES, PPD is NOT postpartum psychosis, but God help you if you are diagnosed with postpartum pyschosis. . . .

[Doodadsmom]

Are you having any thoughts of harming yourself? Maybe you could just mention those. I imagine the treatment would be the same.

[zonapellucida]

Yes, you can be reported if they think you are a danger to yourself or your child. Honestly, having dealt with them many tims, TRUST NOONE!!!! Find a pshychatrist and be VERY careful what you divulge. My children have been taekn three times from those who are trying to help becasue they are " mandated reporters" and patient client privledge is a VERY thin veil

[MommytoTwo]

intrusive thought are threason i never got help after my first and second kids... i was scared. this time i got help but i lied and said i didnt have them, and also that i never had a suicidal thought...i was afraid they would either call cps for the thoughts or hospitalize me for the suicidal thoughts...

lots of hugs...