title: Obsessive-compulsive disorder in the postpartum period: diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management.
abstract: Childbirth can trigger or exacerbate a variety of psychiatric disorders but the extant literature has focused primarily on mood disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after childbirth can occur alone or in combination with other psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder. Due to the general lack of awareness of the relationship between childbirth and OCD among clinicians as well as patients, the disorder may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder. This article describes the prevalence, clinical features, common psychiatric comorbidities, differential diagnosis and potential consequences of underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. Using case vignettes strategies for its detection and clinical management are suggested. Finally, areas in need of further research are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.|St. Joseph's Health Care, Parkwood Institute, London, ON, N6C 0A7, Canada.
authors.forename: Verinder
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Health Care, Parkwood Institute, London, ON, N6C 0A7, Canada.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sommerdyk
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D049590:Postpartum Period; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: diagnosis; obsessive–compulsive disorder; postpartum; treatment