Some mothers experience anxiety and intrusive thoughts after giving birth. However, for some women, these symptoms can be extremely severe and debilitating. If you’re struggling with postpartum intrusive thoughts, it’s important to seek treatment. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of treatment available for postpartum intrusive thoughts treatment.
Contents
What Are Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts?
Postpartum intrusive thoughts are unwanted, recurrent, and distressing thoughts that may occur after giving birth. These thoughts can range from mild to severe in intensity and usually involve fears about harming the baby or oneself. Some common examples of postpartum intrusive thoughts are:
- Intrusive thoughts of hurting the baby with dangerous objects such as knives or scissors.
- Fear of dropping the baby or suffocating it.
- Recurring thoughts of accidentally killing the baby.
- Fear of being unable to protect the baby.
Do Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts Go Away?
Postpartum intrusive thoughts can be very distressing, but they usually go away over time. It’s important to remember that these thoughts are not a reflection of your character or parenting skills—they’re simply a normal postpartum experience. It may take some time for the intrusive thoughts to subside. However, there are treatment options available that can help you manage them in the meantime.
What Are The Treatments For Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts?
There are several treatments available for postpartum intrusive thoughts. The most common treatments include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps you to identify and replace thought patterns that are causing distress. It focuses on changing the way you think about your thoughts and feelings. This can help reduce distressful emotions like anxiety and depression that often accompany intrusive thoughts. This therapy is the primary postpartum intrusive thoughts treatment and is the most successful in helping people manage their symptoms.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a type of therapy that helps to reduce the fear associated with postpartum intrusive thoughts. It works by gradually exposing you to them in a safe, controlled environment. ERP teaches you to recognize when an intrusive thought arises and how to respond without engaging in distressful behaviors.
In Imaginal exposure therapy, you’ll be asked to imagine the most distressing intrusive thoughts in order to help you develop emotion-management skills. Vivo Exposure Therapy is a type of therapy that uses simulated and real-life situations to help you confront the distressing thoughts that you have about harming your baby. In virtual-reality exposure therapy, you’ll be exposed to images and situations related to your postpartum intrusive thoughts.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This form of therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on helping you to accept your intrusive thoughts without judgment, while also developing strategies to live life in alignment with your values. In this type of therapy, you’ll learn to focus on the present moment and how to accept your intrusive thoughts without engaging in them.
Medication
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help reduce the intensity of postpartum intrusive thoughts. Common medications used to treat postpartum intrusive thoughts include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. SSRI anti-depressant medications are usually the first line of treatment, as they have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of intrusive thoughts.
It is important to speak with your doctor before starting any medication as there can be side effects associated with these drugs.
Self-Care techniques
Self-care is an important part of managing postpartum intrusive thoughts and can include activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, journaling, exercise, spending time in nature or the outdoors, reading uplifting material, and engaging in creative activities. Having enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and finding time to connect with loved ones will also help reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts.
Distract the negative intrusive thoughts by walking, jogging, reading, or engaging in other physical activities.
Mindfulness is an approach that involves being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment in order to better cope with stress. Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your intrusive thoughts and learn how to accept them without allowing them to affect your behavior.
Seeking Support
Having a strong support system is essential for managing postpartum intrusive thoughts. Connecting with other parents who are also experiencing these symptoms can help provide comfort and reassurance that you are not alone. Additionally, speaking with a therapist who specializes in postpartum mental health can be beneficial in finding coping strategies to reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts.
These activities can help you to manage your stress levels and create a sense of relaxation and well-being.
Is It Normal To Have Intrusive Thoughts After Having A Baby?
Yes, it is very normal to have intrusive thoughts after having a baby. Postpartum intrusive thoughts are a common occurrence for many new parents and can range from mild to severe in intensity. It’s important to remember that these intrusive thoughts are not a reflection of your parenting skills or character—they’re simply a normal postpartum experience.
Conclusion
Postpartum intrusive thoughts can be scary and overwhelming, but they are not uncommon. Knowing that there are treatments available to help manage these thoughts is important. This will help you to reduce distress and keep your thoughts under control. If you’re experiencing postpartum intrusive thoughts, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. With the right treatment plan and support system, it is possible to reduce the intensity of these thoughts and reclaim your life.
Take care, and don’t forget that you are not alone! OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions. If you have any queries regarding OCD treatment, ERP therapy experienced therapists at OCDMantra can help: Book a trial OCD therapy session
