Maternal OCD
Maternal OCD
What is Maternal OCD?
Maternal or Perinatal OCD is a relatively common maternal mental health condition, impacting up to 5% of those who are pregnant and postpartum; yet symptoms, like intrusive thoughts, often confuse patients and providers a like.
Intrusive Thoughts
70-100% of women (and their partners) have “intrusive” thoughts surrounding childbirth/the postpartum period. These thoughts may include thoughts of infant harm (e.g., dropping the baby or a woman herself harming her baby). These thoughts are unwanted (ego-dystonic) and recognized by the woman as inappropriate and concerning, (which is why these thoughts alone are not cause for alarm).
It is important to note that although obsessions often contain alarming content they do not represent a psychotic process, where mothers are at a higher risk of harming themselves or their infants/children. Intrusive thoughts are not considered a “disorder.” When symptoms become persistent and are disabling, they are generally thought to be tied to OCD.
Pregnancy and Postpartum OCD
The prevalence rate for pregnancy and postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (also known as maternal or perinatal OCD) is 7.8% during the prenatal period and 16.9% during the postpartum period.
OCD includes intrusive thoughts/obsessions (an unwanted thought or feeling) that a person has an urge to relieve through an action or a “compulsion.” OCD “obsessions” can include intrusive thoughts (see below for more information about intrusive thoughts). About 50% of women with OCD have intrusive/unwanted thoughts about intentionally harming their infant (e.g., throwing the baby).5
It is important to note that although obsessions often contain alarming content, they do not represent a psychotic process, where mothers are at a higher risk of harming themselves or their infants/children.
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Maternal OCD
Our Work Addressing Maternal OCD:
To bring this conversation to the forefront, 2020 Mom and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) formed a partnership and steering committee in 2020 to more specifically identify gaps, and address them in maternal OCD research, awareness, and screening/treatment. Three committees were formed to address these areas:
- Collating Research and Identifying Research Gaps (a published research article is forthcoming)
- Identifying and Recommending Screening Tools and Evidenced Based Treatments and Core Competencies by Provider Type
- Public, Provider, and Patient Awareness
Online Perinatal OCD Resource Center
The committees unveiled their work via the IOCDF Perinatal OCD Resource Center in 2022.
Webinar Unveiling Maternal OCD Findings and Resources
Maternal OCD: Why We Must Understand and Do More
Speakers:
Jon Abramowitz, PhD
Stephanie Cogen, MPH, MSW
Kate DeStefano-Torres, LPC
Cindy Herrick, MA, CPSS, MHFA
Mary Kimmel, MD
Research:
- Conducted a literature review that will be published. Publication date pending.
- Identified research needs and suggested how these opportunities might be prioritized