I just want to take her to get ice cream. She’s six – she’s a great kid, and I want to do something special – just the two of us.
But my OCD makes everything an epic battle.
My chest starts to constrict before we arrive. I want to act normal for her. We find a parking spot and walk hand-in-hand toward the shop. I reach my bare hand toward the door. I’m not using my shirtsleeve this time. Act normal.
A familiar voice angry-whispers inside my head: Don’t do that! What if we get sick?
Read MoreI know, it’s gross. No one is a fan of vomit. But for those living with emetophobia (the intense fear of vomiting), thinking about nausea and vomiting isn’t just gross, it can make it incredibly difficult to live a vital, meaningful life.
Read MoreFor new mothers, keeping a baby safe and healthy is a top priority. But for some, this responsibility becomes clouded by fear, guilt, and rituals that take over daily life. This might look like: repeated hand washing and sanitizing routines; engaging in time consuming rituals that provide only temporary relief from feelings of uneasiness; choosing isolation over the company of loved ones, due to fear of illness or contamination; experiencing irritation, anger, and rage when others interrupt or do not follow important safety protocols. If safety behaviors consume your waking hours and motherhood looks and feels nothing like you imagined, this might be more than “new parent anxiety;” you might be experiencing postpartum OCD.
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