Key points

Intrusive or scary thoughts are common during the postpartum period.

These distressing and unwanted thoughts or images seem to come out of nowhere.

Hormones, sleep deprivation, and psychological changes are key causes of these intrusive thoughts.

Intrusive thoughts are treatable with therapies like CBT and medication, as well as self-care strategies.

You’re holding your new baby, and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you think, “What if I drop her?” The thought leaves you feeling shaken. They told you how tired you would feel, but no one ever told you about the scary thoughts.

These thoughts are much more common than many of us realize. In fact, around 90 percent of new mothers experience them at some point during the postpartum period. Let’s talk about what they are,

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