As a parent, you often face daily challenges that are both mentally and physically exhausting. Now imagine dealing with those everyday challenges while also battling with obsessive compulsive disorder OCD. This is a reality for parents with OCD.

Parents with OCD often experience unwanted, distressing thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental compulsions. For example, a parent may have an obsessive fear of germs and continuously wash their hands, or they may constantly check that all the doors and windows are locked. These behaviors may provide temporary relief for the parent, but they can also interfere with daily life and parenting responsibilities.

If you are a parent with OCD, first recognize that you are not alone. OCD affects approximately 2. 3 percent of the population, and many individuals successfully manage their symptoms while parenting. Here are some tips to help you manage your OCD while parenting:

  1. Seek professional help: Consider seeing a licensed mental health professional who specializes in OCD treatment. They can provide you with tools and coping mechanisms to manage your symptoms and navigate through challenging parental situations.
  2. Create a supportive environment: Inform your partner, family members, or friends about your OCD. Having a supportive environment can help reduce your stress levels and assist with parenting responsibilities when you are struggling with OCD symptoms.
  3. Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your mental and physical health is essential when managing your OCD. Making time for self-care activities, such as exercise, mindfulness, and creative hobbies, can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
  4. Develop a parenting plan: Planning ahead for challenging parenting situations can help reduce anxiety and prevent OCD symptoms from interfering with your parenting. Write down a list of your child’s daily needs, and identify any potential stressful situations that may trigger your OCD. Plan coping mechanisms and actions to combat these symptoms in advance.

The above tips are general guidelines to help parents manage their OCD. However, every individual’s OCD symptoms are unique, and the treatment approach should be tailored to their specific needs.

Here are a few additional specific tips for parents with OCD:

  1. Engage in exposure and response prevention ERP therapy: ERP is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that gradually exposes individuals to their fears and encourages them to face them without performing compulsions. It is an effective treatment for OCD and can teach parents how to manage their OCD while parenting.
  2. Utilize medication: Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs, can help manage OCD symptoms. Talking to a doctor or psychiatrist can help determine if medication is right for you.
  3. Involve your child in age-appropriate discussions: OCD can be difficult to understand, especially for children. It can be helpful to involve your child in age-appropriate discussions about OCD and how it affects you. Educating your child about OCD can help them understand your symptoms and provide support when you need it.
  4. Practice acceptance: Accepting your OCD and acknowledging that it is a part of who you are can help reduce anxiety and stress. Remember that you are not defined by your disorder, and it is okay to ask for help when you need it.

Being a parent with OCD can be overwhelming, but there are many ways to manage your symptoms while also being a great parent. Seeking professional help, creating a supportive environment, prioritizing self-care, developing a parenting plan, engaging in ERP therapy, utilizing medication, involving your child in discussions, and practicing acceptance are all effective ways to manage OCD symptoms. Remember that you are not alone, and with the right resources and support, you can successfully manage your OCD and be the amazing parent you strive to be.