Scary Thoughts

Postpartum Scary Thoughts: A Guide for Healthcare Providers



Screen for Scary Thoughts: “Are you having any thoughts that are scaring you?”

Scary thoughts are a very common symptom of postpartum depression. Scary thoughts are defined as negative, repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts that can bombard a woman and feel as if they come out of nowhere. The majority of both mothers (91%) and fathers (88%) report intrusive thoughts about their baby at some point following the baby’s birth (Abramowitz, 2006). Scary thoughts can come in the form of thoughts (“what if I burn the baby in the bath?”) or images (visons of the baby falling down the stairs) or impulses (“what if I can’t help it and I hurt my baby?”) Scary thoughts can be indirect or passive (something might happen to the baby) or they can imply intention. Scary thoughts are NOT an indication of psychosis. They can make a woman feel as if she is going crazy but she is not. A MOTHER’S ANXIETY OR DISTRESS OVER THESE THOUGHTS IS A GOOD SIGN. This means the thoughts are anxiety-driven and will respond well to treatment. Scary thoughts can be part of a postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder or they may occur in the absence of this diagnosis. All women who disclose that they are concerned about any thoughts they are having should be referred to a mental health provider who can assess for proper treatment.

The Postpartum Stress Center of Pennsylvania Rosemont Plaza 1062 Lancaster ave, suite 2 Rosemont, Pa 19010 610.525.7527

The Postpartum Stress Center of New Jersey The Barry Brown Health Education Center 106 Carnie Blvd, suite 104 Voorhees, NJ 08043 856.745.8847

Are you screening for scary thoughts?