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If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD or postpartum issues, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD or postpartum issues, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Symptoms

Postpartum symptoms of OCD are most likely to occur within six weeks after childbirth but can begin during the pregnancy. In women who have preexisting OCD, there is some evidence that miscarriage can also act as a potent trigger ofOCD symptoms.

Causes

At this stage, it is unclear why the postpartum period is a time of increased risk for the onset of OCD for some women. From a biological perspective, it has been speculated that profound changes in hormones such as estrogen may be partly responsible. Hormones can disrupt the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, includingserotonin. Disruptions of the serotonin system have been heavily implicated in the development of OCD.

Stress is a major trigger of OCD and the postpartum period may be especially stressful for those women who may not have adequatecoping strategiesor support in place.

Treatment

If you are experiencing these or other symptoms, your doctor will likely do a full assessment that includes a full psychiatric history, as well as medical tests to rule out biological causes for your symptoms such as hypothyroidism.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) may be a good option for women with ​postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder as it eliminates the possibility of exposing the newborn to antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Although antidepressants like SSRIs are transferred through breast milk, there is no data on the long-term effects of exposure to SSRIs in breast milk, including the nervous system, so the benefit of taking the medication needs to outweigh the risk. Be sure to speak with your doctor to determine which treatment option is right for you.

SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brandes, M., Soares, C.N., & Cohen, L.S. “Postpartum onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: diagnosis and management”Archives of Women’s Mental Health2004 7: 99-110.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4539865/​http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924933815311627Uguz, F., Akman, C., Kaya, N & Cilli, A.S.“Postpartum-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: Incidence, clinical features and related factors”Journal of Clinical Psychiatry2007 68: 132-138.

Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brandes, M., Soares, C.N., & Cohen, L.S. “Postpartum onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: diagnosis and management”Archives of Women’s Mental Health2004 7: 99-110.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4539865/​http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924933815311627Uguz, F., Akman, C., Kaya, N & Cilli, A.S.“Postpartum-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: Incidence, clinical features and related factors”Journal of Clinical Psychiatry2007 68: 132-138.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Brandes, M., Soares, C.N., & Cohen, L.S. “Postpartum onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: diagnosis and management”Archives of Women’s Mental Health2004 7: 99-110.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4539865/​http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924933815311627Uguz, F., Akman, C., Kaya, N & Cilli, A.S.“Postpartum-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: Incidence, clinical features and related factors”Journal of Clinical Psychiatry2007 68: 132-138.

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