Does experiencing harm thoughts mean I may harm my baby?

The research shows there is no evidence that intentional harm thoughts are related to parental violence. Within the literature, unwanted thoughts of harm are characterised as ‘ego-dystonic’. This means that such thoughts tend not to sit comfortably with mums experiencing them – evoking feelings of horror, alarm or disgust, leading to distress or anxiety. The very fact that mums feel ashamed or horrified about having these thoughts is a strong sign that they’re not going to hurt their baby.

In summary, experiencing these kinds of harm thoughts does not usually mean that these mothers represent a risk to their baby. Research shows that experiencing these kinds of unwanted thoughts makes you no more likely to deliberately hurt your baby than any other parent. However, unwanted harm thoughts can be accompanied by a powerful and distressing emotional experience.

It is thought that intrusive thoughts exist on a spectrum where harm thoughts differ from clinical obsessions as part of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This is because harm thoughts are experienced as more fleeting, less upsetting and easier to dismiss than OCD type thoughts.

Both harm thoughts and clinical obsessions may lead to efforts to control the thought (e.g. using distraction or avoiding people, places or objects that trigger the thought. For some mums, this may include avoiding bathing their baby due to fears their baby may drown). However, harm thoughts tend to be less associated with behavioural compulsive rituals to relieve anxiety or distress (e.g. repeated checking or washing because of an obsessive fear of contamination).