Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Few studies have systematically examined the impact of pregnancy and the postpartum period on the course of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition characterized by recurrent intrusive obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. For reasons that are unclear, pregnancy and the puerperium may precipitate or exacerbate OCD. Buttolph and Holland 37 reported that 1 (5%) of 21 men compared with 27 (69%) of 39 women described an onset or worsening of OCD symptoms related to their own or their partner’s pregnancy/childbirth.
In a retrospective study of 106 women with OCD, 38 23 (39%) of 59 women who had children experienced the onset or exacerbation of OCD symptoms during pregnancy. Four (80%) of 5 women in the study who had a prior history of abortion or miscarriage also experienced the onset or exacerbation of OCD symptoms during pregnancy.
In a retrospective study of the relationship of pregnancy, the puerperium, and premenstruum to the course of OCD,39 pregnancy was associated with the onset of OCD in 5 (13%) of 38 women. Of 29 women with preexisting OCD who became pregnant, 20 (69%) described no change in symptoms during pregnancy, 5 (17%) described worsening, and 4 (14%) described improvement.
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Check also:
Mood and Anxiety Disorders During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Mood and Anxiety Disorders during the postpartum period
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Received Aug. 25, 2000; accepted Sept. 1, 2000. From the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital (Drs. Altshuler and Hendrick) and West L.A. Veterans Administration Medical Center (Dr. Altshuler), Los Angeles; and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (Dr. Cohen).
Financial disclosure: Dr. Altshuler has received research support from Abbott, Eli Lilly, Forest, Glaxo Wellcome, SmithKline Beecham, and Solvay; is on the speakers’ bureau of Abbott, Glaxo Wellcome, and Solvay; is a consultant for Abbott, Eli Lilly, Forest, Janssen, Parke-Davis, Solvay, and Bristol-Myers Squibb; and is an advisory board member with Abbott, Eli Lilly, and Forest. Dr. Cohen has received grant/research support from Eli Lilly, Glaxo Wellcome, Organon, Pfizer, and SmithKline Beecham; is a consultant for Eli Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer, Solvay, and Wyeth-Ayerst; and is on the speakers’ bureau of Eli Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer, SmithKline Beecham, Solvay, and Wyeth-Ayerst.
Reprint requests to: Lori L. Altshuler, M.D., VA Medical Center, West Los Angeles, B116AA, Bldg. 158, Room 104, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073.
Lori L. Altshuler, M.D.; Victoria Hendrick, M.D.; and Lee S. Cohen, M.D.
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