INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS SUPPORT
Intrusive thoughts, or obsessional thinking, can be dark, distressing and unwelcome, but they are not a sign of poor parenting, a lack of motherly instinct or mental illness! Find out more about its causes and how to stop them here:
Intrusive thoughts, also known as obsessional thoughts, that come on during the perinatal period (pregnancy into postnatal life), are unwanted and distressing thoughts and images that can impact the emotional health and wellbeing of the mother.
What are intrusive thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are distressing unwelcome thoughts that often centre around harm coming to yourself or your newborn, or being the one to cause that harm. These dark and distressing thoughts create a lot of guilt, anxiety and fear for new mums.
Intrusive thoughts can be very common during pregnancy and postnatally, although it is rarely spoken about due to its destressing nature and the fear women have of being judged for thinking and feelings these things, and what they fear it might indicate about them and their parenting or mental state.
Around 10-20% of new mothers may experience intrusive thoughts form one degree to another and can be a symptom of perinatal anxiety or depression, although not everyone experiencing intrusive thoughts will have anxiety or depression.
Intrusive thoughts are thought to be linked to an overactivated maternal instinct to protect your baby, but it is a thought process that has gone a step beyond more generalised fears and worries around safety and the responsibility of motherhood, and has now become distorted and heightened.
Your maternal instincts are generally very positively focused around the protection of your child. Intrusive thoughts turn these normal worries and fears into distressing images and strong emotional reactions.
These thoughts are not a sign of poor parenting or mental illness, and having these thoughts does not mean that you will or actually want to harm your baby or yourself.
Treatment and support for intrusive thoughts:
If your intrusive thoughts are causing you worry or distress then it is best to reach out for support to overcome them.
The Mother Nurture Method will help you unpick, understand and overcome your intrusive thoughts, as well as any other anxiety, depression, fears or phobias you may be experiencing or dealing with.
Through my 8-step programme we will work together to help you take control of your thoughts, manage your feelings and find emotional balance and control. Which will not only reduce your intrusive thoughts, but also help you deal with many different ups and downs you will experience in motherhood.
Support available in North Herts (Stevenage, Letchworth, Hitchin, Baldock, Knebworth, Royston) and online nationwide across England.