I have encountered a few people in my life who minimize my experience with postpartum OCD or make fun of it like it is a joke. Those people used to make me feel really small and embarrassed. I have learned not to let those people bother me because I can’t control them or make them listen to me. I have to keep living my life and just know that postpartum OCD is something I went through that was really hard, but it doesn’t define me.

Why would I want people in my life who think my experience is a joke or it bothers them? Those people do not deserve to have me in their lives. I have learned that I am a good person, and I deserve to have people in my life who see that. I remember my therapist telling me that as I got healthier, the people in my life might not like it. I was confused as to why that was, but now I see it. She said that people like the unhealthy version of you because it makes it easier for people to guilt and control me. Sadly, that has proven to be true.

I thought everyone would see how happy I was with my treatment for my postpartum OCD and think that it is great. It was not true. Some people in my family made fun of me and put me down with my treatment. I had to learn that I couldn’t share everything with them. It is very sad to me that some of the most important people in my life would hurt me that way. I guess I was too unhealthy to see it before.

With my postpartum OCD, it really put into perspective who is there for me 100%. My husband and my sister never once judged me for what I went through. I am so grateful for them. My husband made me feel like my feelings were valid and wanted to help me as much as he could. My sister never once questioned my ability as a parent with my symptoms of postpartum OCD. I felt like they truly cared about me and wanted me to be happy.

If you are reading this post, I hope you know that you deserve to have people in your life who are going to support you on your journey no matter what. The people who love you the most should always try to uplift you and not put you down. Postpartum OCD can be so scary to go through, and the last thing we need is for someone to make fun of or minimize that experience. It is not right and not fair. Live your life how you want to, and the people in your life will show you if they are truly there for you or not. Just know that you deserve to be supported no matter what.