title: Suicidal ideation versus suicidal obsession: a case report.
abstract: This case report illustrates the relationship between stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by describing an unusual case of OCD sequelae following a suicide attempt. The patient is a 29-year-old married woman who suffered a major depressive episode without OCD and tried to commit suicide by drinking household cleaner. Following the attempt, violent obsessive thoughts of harming herself and others emerged along with avoidance behavior. After exposure therapy, there was a decrease in her obsessive thoughts, less anxiety, and no avoidance behavior. This report highlights not only the existence of "posttraumatic obsession" but also the importance of accurate interpretation of suicidal preoccupation, leading to the diagnosis of OCD rather then suicidal ideation secondary to depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Alzbeta Juven
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wetzler
authors.forename: Rachela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fostick
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zohar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009770:Obsessive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*