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Anxiety and intrusive thoughts can be horrifying experiences for new parents. My guest is making significant contributions to the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the areas of research and education. Join us to learn more about her work.\nToday\u2019s guest is Dr. Nichole Fairbrother, a registered psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor with the University of British Columbia's Department of Psychiatry in British Columbia, Canada. She is the head of the UBC Perinatal Anxiety Research Lab, and her research is in the area of perinatal mental health with a focus on anxiety disorders and epidemiology. Dr. Fairbrother directs multidisciplinary studies to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorders among pregnant and postpartum women. Much of her work is focused on understanding the relationship of mothers\u2019 intrusive thoughts, OCD, and mothering behaviors, and she is actively involved to bring awareness, help, and education to women around the world.\nShow Highlights:\n\nNichole\u2019s research around anxiety and intrusive thoughts\n\nHow her personal experience of unwanted intrusive thoughts at the birth of her first child prompted her research\n\nThe first small study (only 100 women) showed what women reported about their dark feelings and intrusive thoughts\n\nHow the study was later replicated with a larger group of 2000-3000 women to help with prenatal education\n\nOne of Nichole\u2019s current projects: an animated educational video about intrusive thoughts and harmful behaviors\n\nWhy intrusive thoughts are scary and stigmatizing for most women\n\nThe evolution of thoughts that lead to increased protectiveness as parents of newborns\n\nWhy unwanted intrusive thoughts in the postpartum and usually accompanied by OCD behaviors\n\nNichole explains the rates of perinatal OCD and the risk for new moms\n\nHow we can help by providing prenatal education to help mothers recognize the intrusive thoughts\n\nHow Nichole is working on developing a cognitive behavioral treatment program and is seeking funding to develop the first training module\n\nThe ongoing study and how you can participate along with all major English-speaking countries in the world (they are looking for about 3000 women who are up to three months postpartum)\n\nMessages of healing from Nichole: \u201cRecovery is absolutely within reach if you\u2019re suffering from anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I see people\u2019s faces change when they realize that they are not alone in this.\u201d\n\nResources:\nWebsite and social media links:\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter