Mothers' experiences of perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and intrusive thoughts in the postpartum period: Associations with trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms

In a community sample of trauma-exposed postpartum individuals (N = 167; mean age = 30, 90% White; 61.7% completed bachelor's degree or higher) longitudinally completed self-report measures on PTSD, depressive, and Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms (specifically checking, ordering, washing, and obsessing symptoms), preoccupation with intrusive postpartum thoughts/neutralising strategies, and trauma exposure at 4 and 12 weeks postpartum. PTSD symptoms were strongly associated with all OCD symptoms (r = 0.32- 0.49, p < 0.001), preoccupation with postpartum-specific intrusive thoughts (r = 0.32-0.45, p < 0.001), and preoccupation with neutralising strategies (r = 0.21-0.29, p < 0.05) at both time points. PTSD symptoms were also predictive of checking and obsessing symptoms. This study identified PTSD symptoms as a new correlate for preoccupation with postpartum-specific intrusive thoughts and neutralising strategies in the postpartum period in a community sample. These findings add to the evidence suggesting a strong association between PTSD and OCD symptoms across the lifespan, including in non-clinical samples. Future research should examine best practices to assess and treat a variety of postpartum psychopathology symptoms, not just depression.

Narrating Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Through Blogs

PURPOSE

To describe women's experiences of perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as written in their blogs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD

This qualitative descriptive study examined perinatal OCD blogs identified using Google search engine. Krippendorff's thematic content analysis method for qualitative data was used. The unit of analysis included segments of the bloggers' descriptions of their perinatal OCD. Clustering and dendrograms were used to group the data into themes.

RESULTS

Forty-three different posts from women in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and South Africa were analyzed. Five themes were identified that described women's experiences of perinatal OCD as told in their blogs: (1) Starting to tighten its grip during pregnancy, (2) Keeping horrific secrets all to themselves, (3) Tortured with terrifying images and thoughts, (4) Driven to compulsive behaviors to protect their infants, and (5) Long difficult road to recovery but so worth it.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Perinatal OCD is a hidden problem that can have negative consequences for mothers and for their infants and families if not diagnosed or if misdiagnosed. There are effective treatments for OCD, but first nurses and other health care providers need to identify the women who are struggling with this anxiety disorder. During the perinatal period nurses can screen women for OCD. Developing a trusting relationship with pregnant and postpartum women is critical for nurses so that their patients can feel safe enough to share their horrific secret thoughts.