I’m a Mom With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Here’s What That Really Means

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Unfortunately, doctors do not know what causes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Some theories include head injuries and certain types of infection.

However, there is no evidence that brain abnormalities play any role in OCD at all. 

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I am a mom with OCD and I have an adult child.

Although, my daughter is 21 years old and a junior in college I still obsess over her safety and health as much, if not more, than I did the day she was born.

Most people, not just moms who suffer from OCD, start to notice symptoms in their teens and just brush them off. I’m a Mom With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Here’s What That Really Means While others, like some first time moms, do not develop OCD until their first child is born.

It is important to understand what being a mom with OCD is and what the signs are.

OCD is a combination of obsessions and compulsions. For example, some moms may check to make sure the rail on their child’s crib is up by gently pulling on it.

They will hear and feel that the rail is securely up and locked in place. They start to leave the room, but when they get to the door, they turn around, go back and check the crib rail again and again.

The fear that the crib rail is not secure is the obsession; rechecking it multiple times is the compulsion.

When you are a mom with OCD you are usually driven by fear.

Often times the person has no reason to be fearful – yet they will check and re-check whatever is compelling them, just to be sure.

While some people suffer from both the obsessions and compulsions, others may only suffer from one or the other.

Obsessive Thoughts

  • Fear of germs
  • Fear of diseases (yourself or loved ones)
  • Fear of death (yourself or loved ones)
  • Fear of hurting yourself or others (fear of others hurting you)
  • Superstitions (fear if a black cat walks in front of you something bad will happen)
  • Strict devotion to your religious beliefs (if you do not attend church every Sunday you will be punished by God or whoever you believe in)
  • Fear that if you do not say your prayers the same way and leave something out that what you left out will happen (if you pray for your families safety one by one and you accidentally forget your Uncle Larry you obsess that something bad will happen to him)

 Compulsions

  • Rechecking things you have already checked (crib rail, door lock, alarm clock, stove, etc.)
  • Excessive hand washing
  • Excessive cleaning
  • Calling family members and friends several times a day to make sure they are okay
  • Calling loved ones when you hear sirens to make sure they are alright
  • Repeating certain words or counting
  • Buying things you do not need – just in case you may need it someday
  • Excessive praying (either very long prayers or praying several times a day)

OCD is one of those conditions that a person will have for the duration of their lifetime. Medication and therapy can help ease the symptoms greatly.

Tammy Mahan enjoys writing for Healthline.com in her free time. When she is not writing, she is spending time with family and friends.

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