The Thought You've Never Told Anyone

You're holding your baby at the top of the stairs, and for half a second your mind shows you something you never asked to see. You shove the thought down and tell no one. In one large study of new mothers, nearly all reported unwanted thoughts of their baby being accidentally harmed. It doesn't mean you're dangerous. Usually it means your brain is working overtime to protect a baby you love. In this post, Tiffany Mead, LMFT, explains the difference between a normal intrusive thought, postpartum depression, anxiety, or OCD, and the rare warning signs that need care right away. She also explains when the baby blues become something more, and why saying the thought out loud is often when it starts to lose its grip.