INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the clinical demographic characteristics and disorder-accompanying factors of the patients followed-up with diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) during the perinatal period.
METHOD: Data of 50 female patients who applied to Bakirkoy Mental Health and Neurological Disorders Hospital, Women’s Mental Health Center, and upon clinical interview, who were diagnosed with OCD according to DSM-V diagnosis criteria. Characteristics such as referral time, type of obsession, and comorbid disease status were assessed.
RESULTS: Of the 50 patients diagnosed with OCD, 11 (22%) were in the pre-pregnancy period, 28 (56%) were in the gestation period and 11 (22%) were in the postpartum period. The mean age of the patients was 31.5 years and the mean duration of illness was 8 years. When the relationship between the initial stage of the disease and the reproductive period was examined, it was determined that the prevalence rate was 4% in pregnancy period and 10% in postpartum period. The most common obsession type was found to be suspicion obsession with a rate of 42%. Incidence of obsessions related to fetus was 26%. Additional psychiatric diagnosis was found in 46% of the patients. 16 of the 28 pregnant women were determined to apply in the first trimester, 11 in the second trimester, and 1 in the third trimester.
DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: It should be kept in mind that pregnancy period and postpartum period are risky periods for the onset of OCD or exacerbation of pre-existing disorder. Patients with OCD should be provided with psychoeducation in the pre-pregnancy period and these patients should be followed closely in the perinatal period.