Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Exacerbated During Pregnancy: A Case Report

This article describes the case of a 26-year-old woman who was treated in a psychiatric hospital for severe depression & suicidal behavior which emerged during her pregnancy. She was previously diagnosed with an established obsessive compulsive disorder, characterized by obsessional fear of rat germs & ritualistic cleansing. Several explanations for why her severe depression & suicidal thoughts emerged during pregnancy are presented. (15 refs) (SC)