OCD after having second child

[Waffle25]

I had my second child just over a year ago, I’ve been struggling since and feel like I’m going insane.
I have been to the doctor for help I’ve been prescribed tabs and referred for counselling but I can’t do it until the surgery’s are back open. So I feel like I’m in limbo and i feel so down
Has anyone else experienced ocd after giving birth? I don’t know if that’s what triggered it or the fact we all had a bug when he was a couple of months old.
Also with everything going on it had made me 100x worse and I’m at my wits end

Also for people with more than one child do you treat them like the same person germ wise? I feel like I’m driving myself mad trying to keep things separate such as if one complains of a sore stomach I’m anxious the others going to get it or if one is sick or changing nappies I’m paranoid I’m going to contaminate the other one?

Also poo is a big thing for me at the moment, is poo actually that bad and will it make us all sick?
I can’t even bare to go to the toilet I’m worried my clothes are contaminated and I’m going to spread toilet germs round my house and to my kids

Please help

Hi

I really recommend that you speak to your doctor about your anxiety. I am in a similar boat, not so much of a germaphobe but I get extremely anxious and stressed about the house not being tidy, I get angry because the kids need me... why can't they just need me once everything is done!! Anyway, after being unbearable to live with I phoned the doctor and was put on Propranolol, I've been on it a couple of days and oh my God!!! What a difference!! I don't intend for this to be longterm but like yourself I have a toddler and a baby so I don't have time for meditation and yoga (which do really help!!). The Propranolol has allowed me to breath! I see what needs done but I feel no race and no stress if it doesn't get done.

My advice - get help, anxiety cripples your quality of life, I just wish I'd dealt with it sooner.

Good luck!!

Ah I feel for you! I've been there and totally recovered. Therapy and medication in my case. Have you started your prescription? You should be able to access some support via the phone, I'd give your GP a call.

What changed things for me was understanding that I felt anxious precisely because I was trying to control everything, not just the other way round.

I hope you can get some therapy too

I have diagnosed OCD and it really got worse after I had my twins. It takes a lot of talking and support to get through. In terms of having more than one child I definitely has and still have issues with contamination anxiety. I would say focus on your routines and try to talk to your family or friends. It really depends on what your obsessions are, and especially what your compulsions are and how you deal with them. Please take one day at a time until you are able to have your counselling and call your GP again tomorrow if you're struggling more than you were when you spoke to them last. X

Hi everyone thanks for your replies

I started sertraline 6 weeks ago and if I’m honest I feel 100% worse I don’t know if its the medication or with all this kicking off as I started the medication as we all went into Lockdown.
I will have a look into Propranolol and mention it to my doctor thank you

I rang my doctor again yesterday she has increased the dose and is asking for the in house counsellor to speak to me over the phone, so I’m hoping that helps

I think I feel worse because this is just not me at all, before I had my youngest I was the one to have all the kids round to my house snot dribble babies nappies dogs you name it it didn’t bother me, now I’m the complete opposite and now I couldn’t think of nothing worst. I feel sad that I’ve let this take over my life and I feel like I’m wasting precious time with my babies by worrying but I honestly can’t stop

Before all this corona my main obsessions was dog poo, work and my uniform as I work in a dentist now after all this I literally can’t touch nothing without washing my hands
I want to get out the house to give me something to do but the effort it takes I end up staying in, door handles and taps I never even worried about but now after this corona virus I can’t stop thinking about it

I finally told my mum (I didn’t want to worry her while we can’t see each other) and I’m relieved so i speak to her about it now

Also it’s nice to hear you recovered I feel like all you see is “there’s no cure for ocd you just have to live with it”and my god that makes me feel even more anxious because I can’t live like this it’s absolutely horrendous xx

Also I use to go to a mindful meditation class which I enjoyed but obvious it’s not on now while this is happening
I’ve tried YouTube too but I just can’t seem to relax and get into it my mind is just on the go 24/7 xx