Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period

Abstract

Pregnancy and postpartum period are risky periods about occurrence and recurrence of many psychiatric disorders. General opinion is that obsessive compulsive disorder is more common in pregnancy and postpartum period than the normal population. Obsessions and compulsions should be questionned in these periods. Obsessions are generally about contagion and agression, compulsions are generally about washing and cleaning. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive behavioral therapy are the first rank treatment options. In this article we briefly reviewed prevalence, etiology, comorbidities, clinical features and treatment options of obsessive compulsive disorder in pregnancy and postpartum period.

Keywords

• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• pregnancy
• postpartum period