Hi all,
I have been a sporadic poster on this board for years. While I've done considerably well with OCD, every once in a while it comes back for a haunt, usually when I'm pregnant, as I am now.
So my son is almost 2 and is starting to become aware of things that make him afraid. I'm not always sure what those things are, but it seems to be that loud noises, shadows and other normal little kid things are spooking him. The problem is that this causes a tremendous amount of stress for me since I am so aware of how terrible fear is as an emotion, and I don't like to see anyone suffer through it, especially my own son.
So the stress of it sends me spiraling out of control and panicking. I'm really not sure how to handle that sort of trigger. I avoid some triggers that bother me and aren't necessary, like scary movies and frightening news stories, but I HAVE to be a mother to my son and teach him about the things that are threatening to him.
I guess I'm not sure how to balance it all. I will very quickly spiral down a scary OCD road when my son is terrified and shaking in my arms because he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a picture frame and is now frightened. And I made the huge mistake of googling toddler fears and a bunch of people with "my toddler sees ghosts" stories popped up which REALLY got me freaking out and recalling frightening images from horror movies.....even though I don't actually believe that stuff....
To note: I have not been medicated for about a year and would like to wait until the new baby is born before I take anything.
I have been a sporadic poster on this board for years. While I've done considerably well with OCD, every once in a while it comes back for a haunt, usually when I'm pregnant, as I am now.
So my son is almost 2 and is starting to become aware of things that make him afraid. I'm not always sure what those things are, but it seems to be that loud noises, shadows and other normal little kid things are spooking him. The problem is that this causes a tremendous amount of stress for me since I am so aware of how terrible fear is as an emotion, and I don't like to see anyone suffer through it, especially my own son.
So the stress of it sends me spiraling out of control and panicking. I'm really not sure how to handle that sort of trigger. I avoid some triggers that bother me and aren't necessary, like scary movies and frightening news stories, but I HAVE to be a mother to my son and teach him about the things that are threatening to him.
I guess I'm not sure how to balance it all. I will very quickly spiral down a scary OCD road when my son is terrified and shaking in my arms because he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a picture frame and is now frightened. And I made the huge mistake of googling toddler fears and a bunch of people with "my toddler sees ghosts" stories popped up which REALLY got me freaking out and recalling frightening images from horror movies.....even though I don't actually believe that stuff....
To note: I have not been medicated for about a year and would like to wait until the new baby is born before I take anything.
Stay strong in the Lord.
