Mental health experts are demanding better screening for perinatal OCD after actress Kimberley Nixon shared her harrowing experience with the condition.
In a letter to the editor, researchers and activists from Maternal OCD and the University of Oxford warn that too many women are still being failed by the system. They say vivid, unwanted intrusive thoughts about harming one's infant can be deeply distressing and isolating, and in severe cases, lead to suicide.
Despite improvements since 2014, timely access to effective therapy remains rare. The experts are calling for routine screening at the six-week postpartum check, noting that up to 7% of women may be affected.