About 30% of women who suffer from PPD also show signs of PPOCD (though this can occur just by itself). Women who suffer from PPOCD wont act on their harmful thoughts (unless they are suffering from postpartum psychosis:
http://mommadoulamn.blogspot.com/2011/06/postpartum-psychosis.html) and realize they are out of the ordinary. They are, however, appalled at having the thoughts that they are and can be very afraid that they'll lose control and follow through, which can result in the mother neglecting her baby.
Symptoms:
- Waking every 15 minutes to make sure the baby is still alive
- Obsessive housecleaning
- Having obsessive thoughts about harming the baby
- Hypervigilance about caring for the baby
- Fear of being left alone with the baby
PPOCD is temporary and treatable. Treatment includes a combination of antidepressants and talk therapy.
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