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| |  Pregnancy Suspected Trigger in Onset of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder LAS VEGAS -- April 28, 1997 -- The role of obstetricians and gynecologists in recognizing and treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), an anxiety disorder that may be diagnosed in women following pregnancy, will be discussed at a symposium -- Recognizing and Treating and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Opportunities for OB/Gyns -- at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology annual meeting, April 29 in Las Vegas. OCD occurs in more than 4 million women and tends to appear in women in their 20s. A biological brain disorder caused by an imbalance of a brain chemical called serotonin, OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals that interfere with daily life. "In the past, when a mother battled fears of harming her infant, she may have been seen as a nervous new mother who needed hand-holding," said Kimberly Yonkers, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, director Reproductive Mood Disorders Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "But today, healthcare providers are encouraged to view this type of response as a distinct presentation of OCD." Signs of postpartum OCD begin in women four to six weeks after giving birth. Patient characteristics include repetitive intrusive thoughts to harm the baby. "Although OCD has distinct symptoms, it can easily be misdiagnosed, resulting in inappropriate treatment," said Dr. Yonkers. "By becoming more aware of symptoms and expanding our diagnostic skills, we can function efficiently within new and demanding guidelines." Treatment Options In recent years, healthcare providers have new options to offer patients with OCD. Today, as many as 60 to 65 percent of OCD patients receive benefit from the particular class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Studies support the possibility that the state of estrogen withdrawal after delivery negatively impacts the serotonin pathway, contributing to the emergence of OCD symptoms. In addition, oxytocin, a hormone produced during pregnancy, may also be a factor in both the worsening of pre-existing OCD and the emergence of the distinct postpartum OCD syndrome. Impact on Daily Functioning OCD has a significant impact on daily functioning. Patients with OCD have said that it interferes with family relationships, making and keeping friendships, and can limit academic achievement. In fact it can be even more devastating for women: 65 percent of women with OCD are unemployed, and 12 percent are receiving disability. The ACOG symposium is sponsored by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, departments of obstetrics and gynecology and psychiatry in cooperation with the Office of Continuing Education. The program is supported by an unrestricted educational grant to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas from Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc. Information about OCD is available by calling toll-free 1-800-NEWS-4-OCD (1-800-639-7462) and on the internet at http://www.ocdresource.com, provided as a service of Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc.
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