question - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

MissyS · 06-27-2006, 11:30 AM

Hi all,

I have ocd as well as an anxiety disorder... Sometimes my ocd causes the anxiety but I was wondering if anxiety from other things can cause the ocd to spike?

I'm pregnant, and during the first trimester I had a lot of problems with my ocd and panic attacks... I worked with docs and the local hospital and they stablized my meds and I was feeling a lot better. Yesterday my husband and i went for our first ultrasound. The baby is healthy and we found out it is a girl! I am very excited but all of a sudden this pregancy is REAL... I obviously knew I was pregnant before but it never felt truly real until yesterday when I saw her moving around... And then I got really anxious last night... so much is going to change. I understand the anxiety is normal but my ocd thoughts started to surface.

Do any of you experience a spike in your OCD when you are anxious about something else?

Melissa

steveo23 · 06-27-2006, 04:53 PM

Missy

Hey Missy, congrats on your baby!

Yeah, OCD will thrive on anxiety, natural or not. After all, it is an anxiety disorder in itself.

I think I should mention that pregnant women with OCD can experience a change in severity of their OCD... it is a direct effect of hormone changes taking place in the body and messes with Serotonin levels in the brain, which is why OCD may be resurfacing more. And I guess pregnancy is a stressful time anyway (forgive me, Im male, and I have no idea what it is like) so any stress will make OCD worse. When I get anxious about anything (interviews, going out, parties, presentations at college) I find my OCD can go haywire. As with me, it sounds like your natural anxiety about having a child is causing your OCD to spike.

I wish ya luck with your little girl

Steve

MissyS · 06-28-2006, 01:11 PM

Thanks Steve! Your post was very reassuring!

Eve_8 · 06-29-2006, 02:59 PM

Hi MissyS, I also noticed an increase in my constant worrying and anxiousness when I was pregnant. I think that it is completely normal. Because like Steve said, there are spikes in your hormones. Also, mothers worry about their kids by nature anyway, so that kind of feeling is probably tripled for someone with OCD.

Try not to worry, I got through it okay. Congratulations and best of luck to you