Catastrophic thoughts about my children

[Anonymous]

FBO wrote:[

Having the thoughts are normal. What you need to be aware of is how you REACT to those thoughts. Are you overprotective of them? Do you stifle them? Do you keep them socially unavailable to others in fear?

Or do you just worry? Worry is normal. If I didnt worry like that I wouldnt be a very good father. But I also know that I worry, and MOST things are simply out of my control no matter what I do, or how vigilant I may be. Those things, I stop worrying about.

Just my 2cents.

Good point!

[Anonymous]

So horrible these thoughts aren't they? To the point with me that I try and watch what I say and promise- I.e. I have an adopted DS - I never say "forever family"- popular cliche amongst Adopted community; I've had cancer and feel like I never know if it will come back.[i]

[Anonymous]

I also have these thoughts and sometimes wonder if I should be seeing a therapist for help. But I'm an anxious person in general so having a baby only heightened my anxieties. I wouldn't say they intrude on my life but they can cause the feeling of an anxiety attack from time to time which is why I've considered talking to someone about it.

My husband is incredibly laidback so one day I told him about one of these awful thoughts I was having and he confided that he sometimes has them too. So I do think it's somewhat normal as a parent no matter what your anxiety level.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think about these types of things regularly, too. Reading about the Sandusky trial has almost sent me over the edge imaging someone hurting my son. I need to get a hold of it.

[Anonymous]

I have these thoughts too, OP. My thoughts usually revolve around someone/people breaking into our home and raping/killing me, then doing the same to my children. The horror for me is dying and being helpless to protect my children. I hate when these thoughts come into my mind. Thankfully, they aren't that often.

I agree with 19:43 that there might be a possible link to OCD...because I have a mild form of OCD (not under treatment...outgrew the worst during puberty).

[Anonymous]

Over the years I've seen enough posts on DCUM asking the same question "is this normal," and enough people saying YES, that it's clear that it's common, widespread, and the absolute norm.

[Anonymous]

OP, i can totally relate. The exact same thoughts present themselves in my brain. I too have a wild imagination, combined with a somewhat anxious nature.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I have these thoughts too. It's scary. But I am learning I can't protect him from every possible thing.

[Anonymous]

2044 again. I wonder how much of this is because of our24 hour news cycle. I know I worry about things my mom would never have considered because they were unheard of...

[Anonymous]

I also have these thoughts- it scares me and sometimes I cry.. I really want to bubble wrap our kids but not gonna happen.. I am also working FT so that can add to a few freak out moments like seeing my normally normal nanny be inside the house cooking and leaving our kids outside- I do think I have some depression especially now triggered by my job/not wanting to work and SAH/DH's job instability/being the bread winner and not wanting to/about to lose a 3 year nanny/unsure about my job stability glowing review as usual but i make a lot given the place/- though unfortunately, not sure how to get out of this ..