Severe post partum intrusive thoughts

[distressedd]

I'm calling these post partum although DD is 2 and a half. But they seem to have got worse recently.

I would say my mental health is generally pretty good. I've had some low level stress and anxiety, but circumstantial- a stressful period at work, some difficulties in a relationship etc. I generally think I'm pretty good at rationalising, and basically can ride out these periods.

But since having my very longed for dd, I get what I describe as instructive thoughts. I know these are very common when you have a baby - worrying about dropping them or falling over whilst holding them etc. something about it's your brains way of stopping these things from happening.

But they've got much worse recently, and very vivid and very distressing at times. I "imagine" bad things happening to dd. If I hear a news story about a rape or murder, I vividly see these things happening. It's awful.

It's got much worse with the news of the atrocities against women and children in Ukraine and Israel and Gaza. I just saw a post on Instagram of an injured child in Gaza and I nearly threw up. I try to avoid seeing or hearing it about it, but it's everywhere.

I don't really know why I'm posting. I'm functioning, I have a responsible job. I don't think anyone would guess that I get these intrusive thoughts. But when they hit, they're so distressing. I don't really know what to do.

While common, there are tools for coping with this. GP first port of call. That's all you need to do for now.

It will be ok. What an amazing thing you’ve done by reflecting and recognising how you feel. Speak to your GP and/or health visiting team to get some support. Good luck to you.

And please please …. Don’t watch the news. My mental health has improved greatly since stopping watching what’s going on in the world. Xx

I get these too. and I've stopped watching the news or reading any stories that I think may end up distressing me in some way which has helped a bit. if its become uncontrollable and you can't just say to yourself "this is an Intrusive thought because I care so much , but it doesn't need to be in my head right now.." and move on, then as above gp would be next port of call.

Please do seek out support. There are effective treatment options for managing these thoughts that can mean you don’t have them. I had a similar situation where I was traumatised by reading an article. Reduce your media usage for now and speak to your GP. Good luck.

Very, very common.
Especially focused around children etc.

These thoughts focus on what we are most afraid of and what we find most disturbing to Imagine.

I found massive relief from reading a book called Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts.
Really reassuring and practical.

I went through something similar antenatally but didn't know about intrusive thoughts. I thought there was something extremely wrong with me, which was terrifying, and I didn't dare tell anyone. I got better gradually and with support from my husband. CBT was extremely effective for me. I had therapy for about a year. Once I'd learnt to manage the thoughts, I had to deal with the trauma of it all too. You're already recognising the thoughts for what they are. You now need some strategies for managing them. Sending you hugs, and please know you can and will get better x