Episode 112: Postpartum OCD, Intrusive Thoughts & Learning to Trust Yourself with Jenna Overbaugh

What happens when the thoughts that scare you most become the thoughts you can’t stop thinking about? In this episode, Rachael sits down with licensed professional counselor Jenna Overbaugh to talk about postpartum OCD, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and the ways sleep deprivation, perfectionism, and the need for control can fuel OCD symptoms.

Together, they unpack what separates common intrusive thoughts from OCD, why OCD often latches onto the things we care about most, and how parents can begin breaking the cycle of reassurance seeking, avoidance, and compulsions. Jenna also explains how exposure and response prevention (ERP) can help parents build confidence and learn to trust themselves again.

Inside this episode:

• What postpartum OCD really looks like
• The difference between intrusive thoughts and OCD
• How sleep deprivation and anxiety can feed each other
• Why OCD often latches onto what we care about most
• How perfectionism and the need for control can fuel OCD
• The role of reassurance seeking and why it can reinforce OCD
• How social media can contribute to anxiety and compulsive behaviors
• What exposure and response prevention (ERP) is and how it works
• How compulsions and safety behaviors keep the OCD cycle going
• Understanding ego-dystonic thoughts and fears of harming your baby
• What research tells us about the risk of harm in parents with OCD
• When postpartum OCD requires specialized or intensive treatment
• How parents can reduce avoidance and step outside their comfort zones
• Why learning to tolerate uncertainty is such an important part of recovery
• How to find specialized support for postpartum OCD
• And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Jenna Overbaugh’s resources: https://www.jennaoverbaughlpc.com/resources
• Jenna’s book, Making Peace with a Noisy Mind, coming February 2027
• Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna.overbaugh
• Jenna’s Substack: https://www.thenoisymind.substack.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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