Not passing ocd onto kids

[gemininova]

I've suffered with ocd since I was a child, and it's mainly fixated on germs, parasites and health anxiety. This usually manifests itself in excessive handwashing and cleaning. Now I'm a mum I really want to get a hold on it (already on tablets and having cbt)

So my question is how do I avoid passing any of my weird habits on to my child? Is there anyone here who's suffered with mental health conditions and managed to hide them from their family?

I have OCD. My son is 14 and he knows I have OCD but he hasn’t taken on any of my “habits”. He’s seen me check the oven, windows, front door etc and he knows it’s my own issue and that it’s not something most people do. ❤️

Medication? Sertraline killed my checking behaviours dead within a week of starting it.

@Fritilleries - I'm on 50mg of sertraline at the moment as I'm breastfeeding. How much did you find made a difference?

Just the 50mg. Absolutely changed my mind and life. Wish I'd had it a long time ago but I guess you muddle through, don't you?

I’m on 100mg sertraline and for me it is a huge improvement on 50mg. It's knocked out a lot of the obsessions let alone the compulsions! I turn to my husband for guidance on whether something is sensible precautions or me being OCD - he doesn’t have it so is a good judge of what is reasonable cleanliness. Also, oddly maybe, I’ve just found being so happy has helped me a lot with reducing symptoms! I’m not worried about passing it on to DC and am encouraging him to get as dirty as possible (he’s fastidious though, like his father 😂).

I have never found therapy to be that useful, though I have found the question "what’s the worst that could happen?" quite useful. Also it has just been harder to keep up with obsessions with DC around as I’m busy and tired and kiddo is into everything, so I kind of just have to shrug 🤣

Just to say, OP, I applaud you so much for making the effort. OCD is the worst "gift" I was given by my parents and I was absolutely determined not to pass it on to DC, but it is such hard work isn’t it? Keep strong, it will be the best thing you do for DC!