08/17/2026
As a therapist who specializes in maternal mental health and OCD, I want to bring particular attention to the conversations happening in the news around intrusive thoughts.
When we hear stories like this, it can be easy to attach fear and danger to having intrusive thoughts—which can actually make the thoughts and symptoms worse.
Intrusive thoughts are very common. Most moms will experience them at some point.
Having an unwanted, distressing thought about your baby does not mean you want it to happen, that you will act on it, or that it says anything about who you are as a mother or how you feel about your baby.
For some moms, though, intrusive thoughts can become repetitive and “sticky,” accompanied by:
• Physical or mental compulsions
• Avoidance
• Reassurance-seeking
• Fear of being alone with your baby
• Spending significant time trying to neutralize or make sense of the thoughts
These can be signs of perinatal OCD, which is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or left untreated.
I feel strongly about creating more awareness around perinatal OCD and OCD in general, which is why I wrote more about it in my latest blog:
Understanding Perinatal and Postpartum OCD, Intrusive Thoughts, and ERP Treatment
Read the full blog → link in bio.
And for the mom asking herself:
“Am I struggling ‘bad enough’ to reach out for professional help?”
There is no “hierarchy of hard” when it comes to deserving support.
You would never tell another mom she isn’t struggling enough to deserve help. Give yourself that same compassion.
Early motherhood can hold so much at once—joy and love alongside grief, uncertainty, self-doubt, overwhelm, and sometimes the lasting impact of infertility, or a difficult or traumatic pregnancy or birth.
You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out.
If you’re looking for support, reach out to schedule a free consultation and we can explore whether working together feels like a good fit.