Anyone else suffer from OCD/Anxiety issues?

[Worrywart79]

Hi,

Wondered if anyone else was suffering from extreme anxiety? I had mild-ish OCD before I became pregnant and it's since become much worse. I'm obsessed with fear of contamination, especially around toxoplasmosis and listeria. I'm constantly washing my hands and paranoid about touching anything that I percieve as a risk. I also avoid a lot of things that 'normal' people wouldn't even think about. Have had a really bad day today and feel like a failure. It's really stopping me enjoying my first pregnancy - I live in constant fear I'll get something wrong and catch something that will harm the baby. At the same time, worried that my anxiety could also affect baby so a catch 22. Does anyone else feel like this?

hi
i suffer from anxiety and have done for a long time. i have days like u but u must try to not let it take over. u can still have medication while your pregnant and sometimes its better to do that then suffer and get worse hope u feel better soon x

I was v. similar when PG, exact same fears, ended up compulsive handwashing. Ended up v. depressed too, so ended up on Prozac during 3rd trimester. Have you spoken to GP/MW about how you feel? Despite my high anxiety levels, DS was an uber chilled, happy baby.

Hi and thanks for such quick replies, it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I did mention my previous history to the midwife and that I'd got a bit worse but I probably underplayed it (as I tend to do with most people) and she didn't seem too worried - I got the impression she probably didn't know what to suggest anyway. I haven't been able to find much info on OCD in pregnancy anywhere.

I have taken medication in the past but I'm not convinced it ever really helped me that much - I've had OCD to varying degrees since I was a teenager but have been able to control it better in past. I'd also be terrified of taking anything while pregnant so would make me more worried!

I think I really need to try and get some perspective back but I've lost all sense of what is normal in terms of preventing contamination and how dirt/germs actually spread. It's just so tiring what with the cleaning, washing (especially towels) and thinking about my every move and whether or not I need to wash my hands in between.

Have you had any CBT for it? Might be a useful exercise if waiting lists at your GP surgery aren't too long?

I would second the CBT suggestion, I had it and can now say that I 'had an anxiety disorder', so it was very helpful. I feel like its been a release and I'm just me without the anxiety (had it for 20 years with varying issues/panic attacks). Currently pregnant with no 2 and glad I had the CBT. I just requested it from my GP and had a referral within three weeks, just finished CBT after about one year of sessions.

If you haven't its worth giving it a go.

Please see the 'OCD Centre' facebook page for a couple of articles on pregnancy and OCD.