TheRising Nepal
Ajita Rijal
Kathmandu, Jan. 4: Manisha Acharya, 33, a mother of seven-month-old, has a fear of harming her baby and is excessively concerned about germs. Because of this, she spends most of her time in cleaning and washing and asks those around her to do the same.
“I cannot sleep or relax properly, as I have a flurry of fleeting thoughts that my baby may catch germs or get ill,” she explained. Such thoughts have been keeping her awake at night, affecting her wellbeing.
According to psychologists, occasional experience of worries about baby is absolutely normal and is common in new mothers. However, if such recurring thoughts and behaviours starts adversely impacting one’s wellbeing and experiences of parenting, one need to seek medical help. It may be postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Another Niranjan Sharma, 41, (name changed) of Kathmandu, was exhausted mentally with the disturbing sexual thoughts or images. “I thought that I was cursed or possessed by evil spirits. I felt so guilty over my thoughts,” said Sharma.
I had to go through this alone due to the fear of stigmatisation. I had the nightmare that my loved ones would desert me, said Sharma. But after diagnosed with OCD and going through therapies and medication, I am regaining my life, he added.
What is OCD?
OCD is categorised by intense anxiety, uncontrollable, repetitive, and intrusive thoughts (obsessions). To reduce anxiety, the affected person will often engage in repeated actions or behaviours (compulsions), according to doctors.
Those suffering from OCD may struggle with self-esteem issues, or feeling of shame, embarrassment, and insecurity. It can be distressing, but treatment can keep it under control, said Dr. Ananta Adhikari, consultant neuropsych
