Postpartum OCD

Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (PPOCD)

PPOCD is an under-reported and under-diagnosed problem that is estimated to affect about two to three percent of new mothers. The main difference between PPOCD and the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that affects the general population is that women who develop the disorder in the postpartum period tend to focus their obsessive thoughts on their baby. While women with this disorder may be prone to bizarre thoughts, they are acutely aware of the fact that their feelings are not normal. However, some women with the disorder are reluctant to seek help for fear that they will be looked down upon for their peculiar thoughts and fears.

What Is obsessive compulsive disorder?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric condition which affects over 3 million Americans. The disorder is characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors that the individual feels driven to perform (compulsions). The obsessions and compulsions can cause significant functional impairment. In fact, the World Health Organization characterizes OCD among the 10 most disabling of all medical and psychiatric conditions in the industrialized world.

Symptoms of Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Typical symptoms of PPOCD cause disruptions in a woman’s daily routine and can get in the way of her personal relationships. The rituals that many women establish to cope and deal with their obsessive thoughts can be time consuming and interfere with regular activities. Signs of postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

• Intrusive, recurrent and obsessive thoughts, usually involving the baby
• Avoidance behavior, possibly of the baby but generally anything that will cause fear
• Establishing rituals which include:
  • Repetitive behavior (touching every door knob you pass)
  • Obsessive cleaning and/or washing
  • Hoarding (done to combat fear of losing objects)
  • Anxiety and/or depression
  • Fear

Women affected by PPOCD usually experience obsessive thoughts about their baby coming to harm. This can result in repetitive behavior such as repeatedly sterilizing the baby’s bottle for fear that it may be contaminated or checking on the child an excessive number of times. Some women may also harbor fears that they will harm their child in some way, such as drowning the child during bath time. However, while these fears can be especially disturbing, very few mothers with this particular disorder are likely to actually cause themselves or their child any harm.

Who Is At Risk?

Although any woman has the potential to develop PPOCD, women who have a personal or family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder have an increased risk of developing PPOCD. Women who develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder during their pregnancy are more than two times as likely to have PPOCD. While PPOCD can develop for the first time during the postpartum period, some women may have already been diagnosed with OCD prior to becoming pregnant. For these women, their symptoms of OCD may become even worse during the postpartum period.

For More Information

Butler Hospital - 401-455-6436

On the web:

Butler Hospital - www.butler.org

OCD - www.ocfoundation.org

Pregnancy Info.Net - http://www.pregnancy-info.net/postpartum_obsessive_compulsive_disorder.html