The challenge with this particular clinical condition is that it has usually been grossly misunderstood and misdiagnosed, often confused with peri/postnatal anxiety or depression, or even psychosis.

In this webinar we will be discussing new treatment modalities including the latest research, specific techniques including deep brain stimulation and trans-magnetic stimulation, as well parent-infant observations and practices that can support the management of perinatal OCD.

In our therapy rooms, we might be presented with expectant & new mothers experiencing:

• intrusive thoughts about hurting their baby, during or after pregnancy
• disturbing thoughts of sexually abusing their child
• apprehensive behaviour about giving the child a serious disease
• irreconcilable fears of making the wrong decision about vaccinations or medical treatment

and may present with compulsions including:

• excessive washing of clothes, toys or bottles
• Keeping the baby away from other people for fear of contamination
• constant checking of the baby – including waking them up to check if they’re asleep
• Repeatedly asking people around them for reassurance that baby hasn’t been hurt or abused
• going over what happened each day to reassure themselves that they haven’t hurt their baby

At this ground-breaking webinar, Dr Chrissy Jayarajah – UK’s leading expert on cutting edge perinatal work – explains to us, how we, as psychotherapists and counsellors, can first make a clear distinction of this manifestation from overlapping themes including postnatal psychosis, eating disorders and orthorexia nervosa obsession of clean eating. She explains the background by briefly considering the close links that perinatal mental illness has had with religion, moral beliefs and purity; examines the specific presentations during pregnancy and breastfeeding and explains the use of therapeutic options including a combination of relational and Attachment skills to assist clients overcome the concomitant anxiety and compulsive manifestations. Cutting-edge skills from CBT including ERP will be discussed. Specifically, the webinar will discuss:

• how perinatal OCD is not just the domain of neuroscience, but can benefit immensely if we as therapists understand it from a holistic perspective
• the steps we need to take to reduce compulsive behaviours / rituals for reducing anxiety
• explore the psychopathology of the condition including the egodystonic origins that can help us diagnose perinatal OCD
• help us distinguish the condition from postnatal anxiety, postnatal depression and psychosis
• explain its presentations as they relate to pregnancy, relationship OCD, fear of fidelity, sexual themes and issues around breastfeeding
• we conclude our discussions with recognising the conditions for further referral, safeguarding and risk assessment in home, community, family settings

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